More Facts About Chimps

Chimps in the laboratory have demonstrated their ability to find their way out of the most tortuous maze. They can press buttons, manipulate levers, avoid shocks, etc. When food is placed out of reach, the animals can prepare a ladder of boxes to reach it. In his natural habitat* the chimpanzee is something of an itinerant. He goes his nomadic* way through the jungle, living on fruit, insects, and vegetables. With the aid of his long, powerful hands he can swing rapidly from tree to tree and cover considerable ground in his peregrina­tions. Chimps are loyal in their conjugal relationships, taking only one mate at a time. That may be another barometer of these animals' superior intelligence.

Sample Sentences: Use the new words in the following sentences.

1. The other drivers were nettled * about the ease with which our car ascended *

the _______road.

2. Arguments over money have often led to _________ havoc.*

3. The sedentary* twin was content to follow his brother's ^_________ on a map.

4. Signs were posted in the lobby to prevent ________ beggars and others of that ilk* from entering.

5. The warmth of Mr. Smythe's greeting each morning may be construed * as an excellent ________ of his health.

Definitions: Match the new words with their meanings.

6. tortuous ________ a. wandering

7. itinerant ________ b. winding

8. peregrina­tion _____ c. travel

9. conjugal ________ d. relating to marriage

10. barometer _______ e. instrument for measuring change

Today^’s Idiom to wink at —to pretend not to see

There was a plethora* of evidence to show that the border guards would wink at illegal shipments if they were paid in advance.

19th Week 1st Day

New Words: megalomania profligate strife legion coup

TROUBLE IN RURITANIA

King Andre of Ruritania was afflicted * with megalomania, and the people of his country suffered, as a result. After ten years of his profligate rule, the treasury was bankrupt, un­employment was rampant*, domestic strife was mounting, and the number of the king's opponents who are incarcer­ated* was legion. Following a bloodless coup, his nephew, Prince Schubert, took command of the poor nation.

Sample Sentences: Based upon your understanding of the new words, as dis­covered from the context, place them in the spaces provided.

1. With a singular* disregard for his family, the_________husband spent his

salary on alcohol.

2. Each spouse said that the other was culpable* for their conjugal* ——————.

3. "The number of my followers is ________," said the flamboyant* politician.

4. The necessity for executing the leaders of the abortive* —————— was ob-viated * when they committed suicide.

5. Hitler's _______ was a veneer* for his insecurity and feelings of inferiority.

Definitions: Match the new words with their meanings.

6. megalo­mania a. discord, disagreement

7. profligate b. revolution

8. strife c. wasteful

9. legion d. a large number

10. coup e. abnormal desire for wealth and power

Today's Idiom: to play possum—to try to fool someone; to make believe one is asleep or dead

Sensing that his life was in jeopardy*, the hunter played possum until the voracious* lion disappeared.

19th Week2nd Day

Words: amnesty expatriate exonerate flat mendacious

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