circle the letter of the best synonym (the word or phrase most nearly the same as the word in parenthesis)
1. to (speculate on) the election results
a. deny b. argue about c. infringe on d. explain away e. meditate on
2. his (introspective) mood
a. shy b. infraction c. cheerful d. irritable e. visionary

Malcolm x's attitude towards the dictionary could best be described as a) apathetic b) dumbfounded c) awestruck d) disinterested

Complete the sentence. when trying to determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word, you should first replace the unfamiliar word with a synonym that you identified based on the context clues. remove the unfamiliar word from the sentence. think of an antonym for the unfamiliar word. look for context clues that indicate the word's meaning.

Read this excerpt from i never had it made. "it's all that ought to count," he replied. "but it isn't. maybe one of these days it will be all that counts. that is one of the reasons i've got you here, robinson. if you're a good enough man, we can make this a start in the right direction. but let me tell you, it's going to take an awful lot of courage." he was back to the crossroads question that made me start to get angry minutes earlier. he asked it slowly and with great care. "have you got the guts to play the game no matter what happens? " "i think i can play the game, mr. rickey," i said. the next few minutes were tough. branch rickey had to make absolutely sure that i knew what i would face. beanballs would be thrown at me. i would be called the kind of names which would hurt and infuriate any man. i would be physically attacked. could i take all of this and control my temper, remain steadfastly loyal to our ultimate aim? which is the central idea of this excerpt?