Word Zone

Did you know that January is named after Janus, the two-headed Roman God of Doorways who was able to look back at the old year and look ahead at the new year at the same time? Although January is the time to reflect on the past year, it is more importantly the perfect time to make a fresh start, a beginning and a new commitment to life…

Well, let’s start with a few basic words that you can use in your day-to-day conversation.

1. NOVICE (NOV-IS)
A ______ at skating, Jill slipped on the ice floor every time she tried to balance on one leg.
(a. neophyte b. veteran c. outlaw)

2. NEOTERIC (NEE-UH-TER-IK)
Tom had trouble operating his _____ mobile as it had many complicated features.
(a. outdated b. esoteric c. modern)

3. DAWN (DAWN)
On the first day of their holidays, the excited children awakened at _____to commence their journey to the hills.
(a. evening b. day break c. noon)

4. KICK OFF (KIK-AWF, -OF)
The boys left their homes an hour before the football match was to begin because they did not want to miss the _______.
(a. beginning b. intermission c. ending)

5. INAUGURATED (IN-AW-GYUH-REYT-ED)
The school magazine was officially ______on Children’s Day in the presence of the principal, teachers and students.
(a. unveiled b. defrauded c. banned)

6. GENESIS (JEN-UH-SIS)
Many modern medicines are believed to have had their _____ in the Bible.
(a. thesis b. clarifications c. origins)

7. OVERTURE (OH-VER-CHER)
The _____ of the symphony was exceptionally powerful enthralling the audience with its euphonious tunes.
(a. curtain raiser b. intermission c. fabrication)

8. NEOLOGISMS (NEE-OL-UH-JIZ-UH M)
Jim enjoyed joining words to create _____ that would impress his friends.
(a. criticisms b. new words c. abuses)

9. PREFACE (PREF-IS)
Just an excerpt from the _____ of the new detective novel in a popular magazine was enough to skyrocket its sales.
(a. conclusion b. situation c. introduction)

10. INCIPIENT (IN-SIP-EE-UH NT)
Although still in their _____ stage, the steel factories showed signs of an imminent Industrial Revolution in the small town.
(a. nascent b. matured c. requirement)

ANSWER
1. A 2. C 3. B 4. A 5. A
6. C 7. A 8. B 9. C 10. A

Volume 1 Issue 7