Reader's Digest New Zealand - August/September 2025

IBRAHIM SUHA DERBENT/GETTY IMAGES The Polyonymous Puma Cougars are dangerous and unpredictable, as you’ll read in this issue’s Drama in Real Life (p. 78). The big cat species, native to the Americas, also holds the Guinness World Record for “mammal with the most names”—more than 40 in English alone. Its aliases include puma, mountain lion, catamount and ghost cat. 1. catamaran (B) twin-hulled boat Today’s catamarans are similar to log rafts used by early Polynesians. 2. obfuscate (A) make unclear The defense attorney obfuscated key facts to sway the jury. 3. scattershot (B) random Mateo takes a scattershot approach to housework: He’ll start one chore and then switch to another. 4. hepcat (C) hipster “Check out Uncle Leo’s goatee in this old pic—he was such a hepcat!” 5. evocative (C) affecting Painter Frida Kahlo is known for her bold colors and evocative style. 6. caricature (B) imitation Homer Simpson is a caricature of a bumbling, clueless dad. 7. staccato (B) cut short crisply The staccato pop-pop-pop of fireworks rang out into the night. 8. inculcate (B) ingrain “I aim to inculcate a love of reading in my students,” said Mr. Keats. 9. scat (C) sing nonsense syllables “Doo-bee-doo-bee-doo,” Adelaide warbled, scat- ting along with the band. 10. ducat (B) gold coin Originating in medieval Venice, the ducat was used in European trade for centuries. 11. cataclysm (A) flood A sudden cataclysm washed away roads and homes. 12. desiccate (C) preserve by drying Raisins are grapes that have been desiccated. 13. vocation (C) profession After years in finance, Tanya discovered her true vocation: circus clown. 14. toccata (A) organ composition René’s favorite piece of music is Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in DMinor. 15. cathartic (A) purifying My yoga retreat in India was cathartic—I feel like a brand-new person! Vocabulary Ratings 9 & Below: alley cat 10-12: cool cat 13-15: the cat’s meow Word Power ANSWERS reader ’ s digest 126 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2025