week twenty four 1100 words

WEEK 24   DAY 1

NEW WORDS

anthropologist

bizarre

inanimate

fetish

artifact

PRIMITIVE MAGIC

In the course of their studies of other cultures, anthropologists have reported numerous customs and practices that seem bizarre to the average American. Many primitive people believe that certain inanimate objects have a will of their own and possess some magical powers. These fetishes may be simple things like a particular feather of a bird or a unique pebble. The fetish might have derived its power, according to members of some tribes, from a god who lives within the object and has changed it into a thing of magic. Fetishes need not only be natural objects, however. An artifact such as a sculpture or carving is also believed to possess supernatural powers.

Sample Sentences Now use your new words in the following sentences.

Definitions If you have studied the reading selection and the sample sentences. now try your hand at matching your new words with their definitions.

TODAY'S IDIOM

to get down off a high horse-to act like an ordinary person

When Susan discovered that the young man who was trying to make conversation with

her was the son of a millionaire, she immediately got down off her high horse.

WEEK 24   DAY 2

NEW WORDS

taboo

imprudent

prohibition

imperative

taint

FORBIDDEN

An outgrowth of the idea of a fetish* is the closely related practice of taboo. Whereas the gods or supernatural powers merely inhabit an object that is a fetish and lend it magic, they will punish the imprudent native who violates their prohibition of an act or use of an object or word that has become taboo. If a taboo has been broken, it becomes imperative for the offender to be punished. In many cases. however, the taint on the community may be removed after the priests have performed a special ceremony. Often, the violator of the taboo will be punished or die merely through his own fears of the terrible thing he has done.

Sample Sentences Has the context in which your new words appear given you clues to their meaning? Try now to use them in these sample sentences.

Definitions Now is your chance to test your knowledge of your new words by matching them with their definitions.

TODAY'S IDIOM

the first water-of the best quality, the greatest

Lebron James is obviously a basketball player of the

first water who would be of enormous value to any team.

WEEK 24   DAY 3

NEW WORDS

universal

contemptuous

absurd

bigot

abhor

AN ABSURDITY

Although it is probably universal human behavior to be contemptuous of the bizarre* superstitions practiced by inhabitants of unfamiliar cultures, it seems to be somewhat imprudent* to laugh at others before one takes a good, hard look at the absurd taboos* and fetishes* one accepts as part of one's everyday life. Isn't it somewhat absurd when the "dyed-In-the-wool" bigot, who illogically fears the taint* of close association with blacks (behavior that resembles fear of a taboo). spends most of the summer lying in the sun trying to acquire the color he claims to abhor? Since doctors tell us that excessive sun-tanning may be a cause of skin cancer, our strange yearning for sun-darkened skin has all the qualities of a fetish.*

Sample Sentences Did the starred review words seem familiar to you? Yet, how many were totally foreign several days ago? Keep up the good work now by using your new words in the following sentences.

Definitions Match your new words with their definitions.

TODAY'S IDIOM

dyed-in-the-wool-set in one's ways

He was a dyed-in-the-wool Republican who would not consider voting for a Democrat.

WEEK 24   DAY 4

NEW WORDS

vulnerable

entreaty

tradition

originate

inviolable

GESUNDHEIT!

During the Middle Ages most people believed that the devil could enter our bodies when we sneezed, because at that propitious* moment we left our bodies vulnerable. However, this catastrophic* event could be avoided if another person immediately made an entreaty to God. This was how the practice began of saying "God bless you" after someone sneezes. Although the tradition continues today, few people are aware of its history. A superstition originates in ignorance-when people are unsure of the causes of events. But it continues inviolable over the years because it usually represents our deepest fears.

Sample Sentences Use these new words in the following sentences.

Definitions

TODAY'S IDIOM

blue chip-a highly valuable asset, stock, or property

In poker, the blue chips are those with the highest value.

My father's broker recommended that for safety we Invest in blue chip stocks only.

WEEK 24   DAY 5

REVIEW

And today it's time to strengthen your word knowledge again. You've noticed, of course, that the matching definitions are not always the definitions you may have been familiar with. This is the way language works. It Is Impossible to provide a one-word synonym or simple definition for a word that you will always be able to substitute for it. Therefore, in our weekly review we hope not only to check your learning, but also to teach you closely related meanings. Match the best possible definition with the word you studied. Write the letter that stands for that definition in the appropriate answer space.