Choosing the Right Word Page 64

Like farmers separating the wheat from the chaff, the members of a jury must (disentangle, revile) the truth from the evidence presented to them.

• disentangle

• revile

Only by admitting your fault and trying to make up for it can you obtain a(n) (reprieve, access) from the pangs of conscience.

• reprieve

• access

Instead of recognizing that she caused her own troubles, she continues to (revile, abscond) all the people who were “unfair” to her.

• revile

• abscond

Despite the threats made against his life, the (arduous, intrepid) district attorney was able to obtain a conviction of the corrupt official.

• arduous

• intrepid

My aunt can be so (pompous, intrepid) when she lectures me about politics.

• pompous

• intrepid

How can you accuse me of (absconding, reviling) with all your brilliant ideas when you have never had an original thought in your life?

• absconding

• reviling

To (access, disentangle) the large safe we will need the five-digit combination to the lock.

• access

• disentangle

His speech and manners were so (arduous, pompous) and stiff that he cut a somewhat ridiculous figure at our informal little get-together.

• arduous

• pompous

The general feared that the latest attacks on the city would push the situation over the (precipice, access), leading directly to a full-blown war.

• precipice

• access

Although the hero and the heroine were parted by circumstance, I knew that they were (intrepid, fated) to meet again before the last commercial.

• intrepid

• fated