VOCABULARY

1. earnest
   characterized by a firm, humorless belief in one's opinions
   Too much praise cannot be given to the earnest and efficient missionaries who founded and have maintained this mission. 
   — Miller, George A.
2. yield
   give or supply
   It is a very important honey plant, as it yields an exceptionally pure nectar and remains in bloom a long time. 
   — Parsons, Mary Elizabeth
3. wander
   to move or cause to move in a sinuous or circular course
   While each animal wandered through the maze, its brain was working furiously. 
   — New York Times (Feb 16, 2012)
4. insist
   be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
   Interior Department officials insisted that they had conducted an extensive scientific inquiry before moving ahead with the spill response plan. 
   — New York Times (Feb 17, 2012)
5. knight
   a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry
   The knight was gallant not only in war, but in love also. 
   — Crothers, Samuel McChord
6. convince
   make realize the truth or validity of something
   But though he listened he was not convinced. 
   — Reade, Charles
7. inspire
   serve as the inciting cause of
   His surprising performance inspired an outpouring of fan adoration that has been dubbed "Linsanity." 
   — Chicago Tribune (Feb 19, 2012)
8. convention
   a large formal assembly
   Last year, the industry’s main trade convention, the Inside Self-Storage World Expo, organized workshops in Las Vegas focusing on lien laws and auction sales. 
   — New York Times (Feb 17, 2012)
9. skill
   an ability that has been acquired by training
   He says many new drivers are terrified of motorway driving because they do not have the skills or confidence needed. 
   — BBC (Feb 20, 2012)
10. harry
    annoy continually or chronically
    There’s something uplifting about hearing a string instrument when I’m feeling ragged or harried. 
    — New York Times (Feb 9, 2012)
11. financial
    involving fiscal matters
    Meanwhile, universities have raised tuition every year, putting many students in a financial bind. 
    — New York Times (Feb 20, 2012)
12. reflect
    show an image of
    Teens ranting over chores and whatnot can often reflect deeper feelings of alienation or perceived uncaring on the part of parents. 
    — Time (Feb 17, 2012)
13. novel
    an extended fictional work in prose
    Before Robert Barr publishes a novel he spends years in thinking the thing out. 
    — Anonymous
14. furnish
    provide or equip with furniture
    Instead, according to court documents, the money went towardfurnishing mansions, flying in private jets, and retaining a $120,000-a-year personal hairstylist. 
    — BusinessWeek (Feb 1, 2012)
15. compel
    force somebody to do something
    But the flames grew too large, compelling firefighters to call off the rescue. 
    — New York Times (Feb 18, 2012)
16. venture
    proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
    Clearly he would not venture to descend while his enemy moved. 
    — Strang, Herbert
17. territory
    the geographical area under the jurisdiction of a state
    On Friday, West Africa regional group Ecowas condemned the rebels, urging them to end hostilities and surrender all occupied territory. 
    — BBC (Feb 18, 2012)
18. temper
    a characteristic state of feeling
    Oscar Wilde, to do him justice, bore this sort of rebuff with astonishing good temper and sweetness. 
    — Anonymous
19. bent
    fixed in your purpose
    The business-oriented constituency of the Republican Party, Jacobs said, has been weakened by a faction bent on lowering taxes and cutting spending. 
    — BusinessWeek (Feb 17, 2012)
20. intimate
    marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
    The female spider can choose when to cut off intimate relations by eating her partner, or kicking him out. 
    — Scientific American (Jan 31, 2012)
21. undertake
    enter upon an activity or enterprise
    An autopsy has reportedly been undertaken but the results are not expected for several weeks. 
    — The Guardian (Feb 13, 2012)
22. majority
    more than half of the votes in an election
    Republicans need just four seats in the Senate to take control as themajority party. 
    — Reuters (Feb 7, 2012)
23. assert
    to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
    In your talk you asserted the pill's risks of blood clotting, lung artery blockage, heart attack and stroke are minimal. 
    — Science Magazine (Feb 18, 2012)
24. crew
    the men and women who man a vehicle
    Several pilots and crew members would have to escape at once, while safety divers watched, ready to rescue anyone who became stuck. 
    — New York Times (Feb 6, 2012)
25. chamber
    a natural or artificial enclosed space
    "Today," said the old man, "you must push through with me into my most solitary chamber, that we may not be disturbed." 
    — Carlyle, Thomas
26. humble
    marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful
    “Challenging yourself, playing up against stronger, tougher, and overall better competition will keep you humble.” 
    — Washington Post (Jan 17, 2012)
27. scheme
    an elaborate and systematic plan of action
    Some companies in the Globe District of Arizona have started extensive underground schemes for mining large tonnages very cheaply by "caving" methods. 
    — Hoskin, Arthur J.
28. keen
    demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
    Not one of his movements escaped her keen observation; she drank in every shiver. 
    — Wingfield, Lewis
29. liberal
    having political views favoring reform and progress
    Romney’s actually done well in open primaries where fiscally conservative yet socially liberal independents have backed him over his opponents. 
    — Time (Feb 14, 2012)
30. despair
    a state in which all hope is lost or absent
    There were wounded love, and wounded pride, and despair, and coming madness, all in that piteous cry. 
    — Reade, Charles