(n) close circle of friends who share a common interest; clique

"Her _________ of friends campaigned strenuously on her behalf."

(v) to lead astray morally; corrupt

"Pip suffered guilt after __________ing his friend Herbert who could ill afford such a life."

(adj) happening each day; daily

"The sun in its _________ rounds often seems to skip over Happy Valley."

(adj) capable of being molded or shaped; compliant, tractable

"Only _______ metals are used in the sculpture class."

(adj) scanty or little; small, meager

"It is difficult for older people to live on the _________ means of a Social Security check."

(n) anything to which one is irrationally devoted

"Dice and baby shoes are often hung in cars as ________es to ward off accidents."

(n) a small weakness, frailty in character

"To some, tardiness is a ________; to others, it is a serious character flaw."

(n) strength to bear pain calmly and patiently; firm courage

"Concentration camp prisoners needed great _________ to survive."

(n) using pompous, bombastic words and expressions

"The graduation speaker was __________ and long winded."

(n) involved and confusing situation

"During the 30's the U.S. tried to remain aloof from the political ________s in Europe."

(adj) unwise or judicious; inexpedient

"It was __________ to praise the Republican mayor at the Democratic rally."

(adj) in the first stage of existence; just beginning, inchoate

"Cancer, if detected in its _________ stages, can often be treated and cured."

(adj) simple, artless, naive; without guile

"Her ____________ behavior was charming and formed a contrast to the other student's attempt to be sophisticated."

(n) indirect remark or gesture implying something derogatory

"Senator McCarthy's tactics included the use of __________ and rumor."

(adj) easily angered; quick-tempered

"Orlick's ___________ nature led to his braining Mrs. Joe and trying to kill Pip."

(adj) perfectly clear or transparent; not turbid

"Bad novelists describe their heroine's eyes as '__________ brown pools.'"

(adj) wishing evil or harm to others; malicious

"Orlick and Iago are ___________ characters."

(n) marked or complete change of character

"Pip undergoes a ___________ as a result of his life in London."

(adj) stingy or miserly

"Mrs. Joe was _______ about affection as well as food."

(n) slight variation in meaning; shade of difference

"Appreciating an author's style often means paying attention to the _________s of language."