A VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT

In the winter of 1941, Enrico Fermi and a number of other distinguished scientis
ts importuned President Franklin Roosevelt for authorization to begin an all-out
effort in atomic energy research. The scientists were alarmed by incontrovertib
le evidence of surreptitious German experiments, and they asked for speedy appro
val. Italian-born Enrico Fermi was the ideal man to lead the atomic research. Al
ready in 1938 he had won the Nobel Prize for work with radioactive elements and
neutron bombardment. Fermi had found a haven from the Fascists (his wife was Jew
ish) and he knew that if the Germans were the first to develop an atomic bomb it
would mean that Hitler could subjugate the entire world. The international race
for atomic supremacy was on.
importune

incontrovertible

6. importune
7. incontrovertible
8. surreptitious
9. haven
10. subjugate

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

surreptitious

haven

subjugate

undeniable
ask urgently
conquer
place of safety
stealthy, accomplished by secret

TODAY'S IDIOM
to take the bull by the horns-to face a problem directly
After several days of delay, the minister decided to take the bull by the horns,
and so he sent for the vandals.

6. b

7. a

8. e

9. d

10. c