Choose the word nearest in meaning to the underlined word: 11. It was callous of you to have turned down the poor man's request. 12. After a long walk the travelers suddenly saw lights blazing ahead.

Here are the solutions to the vocabulary questions, choosing the word nearest in meaning to the underlined word:

11. It was callous of you to have turned down the poor man's request.
Callous means showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others.

• A. heartless: lacking compassion or sensitivity.
• B. stupid: lacking intelligence.
• C. rude: impolite.
• D. skilful: having or showing skill. The closest meaning is heartless. The final answer is $\boxed{\text{A}}$

12. After a long walk the travelers suddenly saw lights blazing ahead.
Blazing means burning fiercely or shining brightly.

• A. burning: on fire.
• B. shining: emitting or reflecting light.
• C. glowing: emitting a steady light without flame.
• D. beaming: radiating light or warmth. The most direct synonym for lights blazing is burning. The final answer is $\boxed{\text{A}}$

13. John said nothing during the meeting; he just sat there fuming.
Fuming means expressing or feeling great anger, especially in a silent or suppressed way.

• A. thinking: the process of considering or reasoning about something.
• B. lonely: sad because one has no friends or company.
• C. mumbling: saying something indistinctly and quietly.
• D. angry: feeling or showing strong annoyance, displeasure, or hostility. The closest meaning is angry. The final answer is $\boxed{\text{D}}$

14. The employees hated him because he often abused his authority.
Abused means used (something) to bad effect or for a bad purpose; misused.

• A. insulted: spoke to or treated with disrespect or scornful abuse.
• B. misdirected: guided wrongly.
• C. misapplied: applied wrongly.
• D. exaggerated: represented (something) as being larger, better, or worse than it really is. Misapplied is the closest synonym for using authority improperly. The final answer is $\boxed{\text{C}}$

15. The minister abridged his speech since he had to leave early.
Abridged means shortened, especially a text or speech.

• A. shortened: made or became shorter.
• B. hurried: moved or acted with great speed.
• C. abandoned: ceased to support or look after (someone); deserted.
• D. stopped: ceased to move or operate. The closest meaning is shortened. The final answer is $\boxed{\text{A}}$

16. For rescuing the boy, the policewoman was promoted for her gallantry.
Gallantry means courageous behavior, especially in battle.

• A. generosity: the quality of being kind and understanding.
• B. bravery: courageous behavior.
• C. risk: a situation involving exposure to danger.
• D. duty: a moral or legal obligation. The closest meaning is bravery. The final answer is $\boxed{\text{B}}$

17. Nora's goal was to become a doctor.
Goal means the object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.

• A. intention: a thing intended; an aim or plan.
• B. vision: the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom.
• C. ambition: a strong desire to do or achieve something.
• D. mission: an important assignment carried out for political, religious, or commercial purposes, typically abroad. Intention is the closest synonym for a specific aim or desired result. The final answer is $\boxed{\text{A}}$

18. Our staff was very proud when the school clinched all the prizes.
Clinched, in a competitive context, means to win or secure (something) definitively.

• A. took: laid hold of (something) with one's hands; grasped.
• B. won: be victorious in (a contest or game).
• C. possessed: had as property; owned.
• D. cornered: forced (an opponent or quarry) into a position from which there is no escape. The closest meaning is won. The final answer is $\boxed{\text{B}}$

19. Mamie complains that her husband often relegates her to the position of a housemaid.
Relegates means assigns to a lower position or rank.

• A. compares: estimates, measures, or notes the similarity or dissimilarity between.
• B. relates: makes a connection between.
• C. forces: makes (someone) do something against their will.
• D. reduces: makes smaller or less in amount, degree, or size. Reduces is the closest in meaning, as relegating someone to a lower position implies a reduction in status. The final answer is $\boxed{\text{D}}$

20. There is no vacancy so the company no longer recruits staff.
Vacancy means an unoccupied position or job.

• A. position: a place where someone or something is located or has been put.
• B. opening: a job or position that is available.
• C. room: space that can be occupied or where something can be done.
• D. place: a particular position or point in space. The closest meaning for a job context is opening. The final answer is $\boxed{\text{B}}$