Word Power ANSWERS 9 & below: Novice 10-12: Practiced 13-15: Magnificent
1. viceroy (a) appointed ruler
British kings installed 20 viceroys in India alone.
2. surplice (a) crossed at center
Though she originally wanted a strapless gown, Abigail chose one with a surplice neckline.
3. latticework (c) decorative grid
One mark of a skilled gardener is when vines grow through woven slats of latticework.
4. licentiously (a) lewdly
Partygoers disrupted the cruise, behaving licentiously at the pool and catcalling patrons.
5. serviceable (b) usable
“Sure, I’d love a new car, but my old one is still serviceable,” Elena said.
6. caprice (b) sudden whim
Fresh off her lottery win, Elaine bought a boat in an act of sheer caprice.
7. beneficent (b) charitable
For years, the beneficent grocery store owner has donated her excess inventory to a food bank.
8. cornice (c) ornamental molding
The architect admired the carved cornice running the length of the ceiling.
9. suffice (c) be adequate
Dad never yells; one stern look from him suffices to get us kids back in line.
10. sluice (a) flow
Once engineers opened the floodgate, water immediately started to sluice down the trough.
11. artifice (c) trickery
Unfortunately, some sales associates use artifice to
get people to spend more than they can afford.
12. epicenter (c) focal point
Thanks to the Beatles, 1960s Liverpool suddenly became the epicenter of a musical revolution.
13. pumice (b) a volcanic rock
Use a pumice stone to exfoliate your feet.
14. coppice (b) cut back
Foresters can coppice overgrown birch trees to encourage new growth.
15. avarice (a) insatiable greed
Shareholders accused the CEO of unchecked avarice for raiding the company coffers.