Word Power
What’s in a name? More than you might realize, at least in the case of this month’s column. Each entry is a common English word that doubles as a proper name. For example, you might sing a carol, walk for miles, or rob a bank to get rich quick. Wade through the quiz, then skip to the next page for answers.
1. jimmy v.
('jih-mee)
A dance a jig.
B force open.
C sprinkle.
2. lea n.
(lee)
A wreath.
B shelter.
C pasture.
3. tad n.
(tad)
A small amount.
B rascal.
C tree frog.
4. derrick n.
('der-ik)
A machine for lifting.
B fortress.
C dirt bike.
5. jenny n.
('jeh-nee)
A weekend trip.
B female bird.
C opera singer.
6. don v.
(don)
A celebrate.
B put on.
C pose as.
7. warren n.
('war-un)
A official document.
B maze of passageways.
C criminal plot.
8. patsy n.
('pat-see)
A sidekick.
B pushover.
C homemaker.
9. chad n.
(chad)
A cardboard piece.
B yacht's deck.
C underachiever.
10. barb n.
(barb)
A fence post.
B short haircut.
C biting remark.
11. jasper n.
('jas-per)
A poplar tree.
B billy goat.
C green quartz.
12. sally v.
('sal-ee)
A float.
B tattle.
C set out.
13. tucker v.
('tuh-ker)
A tire.
B retreat.
C argue.
14. tiffany n.
('tif-eh-nee)
A colorful glass.
B calm sea.
C sheer gauze.
15. harry v.
('hair-ee)
A befriend.
B delay.
C torment.
1. Jimmy (B) force open. The thief used a butter knife to jimmy the lock.
2. lea (C) pasture. Behind the old farmhouse is a lea dotted with sheep and cows.
3. tad (A) small amount. Would you like a tad more cream in your coffee?
4. derrick (A) machine The crew used for lifting. a derrick to raise the granite blocks from the quarry floor.
5. jenny (b) female bird. The jenny wren offered her chicks a juicy worm.
6. don (b) Batman put on. donned his mask and cape and then raced to Gotham to save the day.
7. warren (b) maze We of passageways. got hopelessly lost in the city’s warren of backstreets.
8. patsy (b) pushover. “I’m done being the patsy of this company— I quit!” Nick declared.
9. chad (A) cardboard In the 2000 presidential piece. election, the “hanging chads” from punch card ballots became a national obsession.
10. barb (C) biting The feuding remark. pop stars traded barbs on Twitter.
11. jasper (C) green Brandy’s favorite quartz. bracelet has turquoise, jasper, and silver beads.
12. sally (C) set out. Gene and Laurel are about to sally forth on the trip of a lifetime: a cruise around the world.
13. tucker (A) You’d tire. think an afternoon at the water park would tucker out the kids, but they’re still full of energy!
14. tiffany (C) sheer Rachel insisted gauze. that her bridesmaids’ dresses be made of pink tiffany.
15. harry (C) torment. Our dog’s favorite activity is harrying the mailman.
Vocabulary Ratings
9 & below: pat on the back
10–12: above the norm
13–15: high mark