The 23-Inch Football Field

The football fan who cannot attend a contest in person may watch any number of games on television. This has the great advantage of permitting an indolent fan to sit in the comfort of his living room and watch two teams play in the most inclement* weather. However, some of the spirit, the gusto, is missing when one watches a game on a small screen away from the actual scene of the contest. Also, the viewer is constantly exposed to a garrulous group of announcers who continue to chatter in an endless way throughout the after­noon. Should the game be a dull one, the announcers discuss the most banal bits of information. Even in the poorest game there is constant chatter involving one platitude after another about the laudable * performances of each and every player.

Sample Sentences: Insert the new words in the sentences.

1. He began to eat the food served at the sumptuous feast with________.

2. Men believe that women's conversation is filled with ________ comments concerning clothing or food.

3. During the most sultry* days of summer, one often hears the _______, "Is it hot enough for you?"

4. The ——— ——— person goes to great lengths to eschew* work.

5. She was usually so ——————, we considered anything under a five minute speech as a cryptic* remark.

Definitions: Match the new words with their definitions.

6. indolent ——— a. enthusiasm, enjoyment, zest

7. gusto ________ b. commonplace or trite saying

8. garrulous ——— c. lazy

9. banal _________ d. talkative, wordy

10. platitude ___ e. trivial, meaningless from overuse

Today's Idiom to take French leave— to go away without permission

The star player was fined $100 when he took French leave from the training camp.

29th Week / 4th Day

New Words: pique dilettante atypical nondescript wane

What's On?

One day each week is set aside for college football, and another for the professional brand. Most fans enjoy both varieties. Nothing can put an avid * viewer into a pique ^? more quickly than missing an important contest. It is the dilettante who eschews* the amateur variety and watches only the professional games. The atypical fan will watch only his home team play; however, enthusiasts will continue to view the most nondescript contests involving teams that have no connection with their own town or school. Some intrepid * fans have been known to watch high school games when that was all that was offered. Public interest in football grows each year, while interest in other sports may be on the wane.

Sample Sentences: Complete these sentences with the new words.

1. The __________ will scoff * at those who admit that they know very little about modern art.

2. It is the__________ fisherman who does not embellish* the story about the fish

that got away.

3. The detective had little to go on because of the __________ nature of the criminal.

4. Many virulent* diseases are now on the______________.

5. He showed his __________ by slamming the door.

Definitions: Match the new words with their definitions.

6. pique a. decrease, decline

7. dilettante b. fit of resentment

8. atypical c. one who has great interest, but little knowledge

9. nondescript d. nonconforming

10. wane (n.) e. undistinguished, difficult to describe

Today's Idiom in the arms of Morpheus - asleep

The day's activities were so enervating,* he was soon in the arms of Morpheus.

30th Week 1st Day

New Words: extinct idyllic galvanize encumbrancegaudy

Дата добавления: 2015-10-30