Reader's Digest Australia Dec/Jan 2025

PHOTOS.COM/GETTY IMAGES (JANE AUSTEN), ANDY RYAN/GETTY IMAGES (PARTY HAT) Austen, Adapted Perhaps Austen’s best-known book, Pride and Prejudice has been made into at least 17 films and TV shows—and counting. While some screen versions stay faithful to the original, others take liberties: The horror comedy Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) has the Bennet sisters battling the undead; Bride & Prejudice (2004) is a splashy Bollywood musical; and The Lizzie Bennet Diaries (2012-13), set in modern-day California, retells the story via a series of YouTube vlogs. 1. countenance (B) facial expression I can tell by your countenance that you’re pleased. 2. odious (A) horrible “For her odious crime, the defendant will serve life in prison,” the judge boomed. 3. proviso (B) condition The band takes requests, with one proviso: They won’t play “Free Bird.” 4. impute (B) chalk up Gabe imputes his calm demeanor to daily meditation. 5. pert (B) sassy Amy gave a pert hair toss and said, “I told you so.” 6. copse (C) group of trees Hidden in the shady copse, the fawn nibbled on some leaves. 7. pallid (C) colorless Lance’s face went pallid just before he fainted. 8. hauteur (B) haughtiness Scarlett O’Hara is a complex character known for her hauteur and her resilience. 9. vex (A) aggravate Don’t vex your sister— she’s had a hard day! 10. repartee (B) witty conversation The podcast is half politi- cal analysis, half repartee between the hosts. 11. lassitude (C) fatigue Lassitude is a common flu symptom. 12. scrupulous (A) thorough Even the most scrupulous proofreaders sometimes overlook a typo. 13. obtrude (C) impose “Why does snow always obtrude upon my plans?” Dorian grumbled. 14. dint (A) power To be completely honest, I landed this job by dint of dumb luck! 15. hale (B) healthy Well into her 80s, Marlene is still hale and hearty. Vocabulary Ratings 9 & below: courting 10-12: engaged 13-15: married Word Power ANSWERS reader ’ s digest 148 December 2025/January 2026 WHERE, OH WHERE? (page 150) A. Devenish, North Victoria BRAIN GAMES (pages 115-116) Herding Cats White (Mala), black (Lucky), ginger (Sky), gray (Ana). They started Sky-Ana-Lucky-Mala. Domi-nope The six on the highlighted domino doesn’t have a two it could go with to look like the model. Great Stories. Less Time. No Catch. With Reader’s Digest Fiction Favorites , you get quick, captivating reads from today’s top fiction voices. We edit standout novels for maximum enjoy- ment and minimum time. It’s the easiest way to fall into great books—and actually finish them too! Plus, your order comes with free shipping and a bonus puzzle book. Start breezing through your reading list today by visiting www.fictionfavorites .com/2509EP . A Lending Hand The six of clubs. Read together, the second and third cards represent the value of the first card squared. Since 8 squared is 64, the missing card is a six, and the only six card remaining is a club. Set Free SPECIAL OFFER ANSWERS B B C C A C A C B C C A A B A A OUR PRIVACY STATEMENT Direct Publishing Pty Ltd collects your information to provide our products and services and may also use your information for the marketing purposes of RD and/or selected corporate partners. If the information is not provided you will be unable to access our products or services. Our Privacy Policy at readersdigest.com.au/privacy-policy contains full details on how your information is used (including how we may share your information with our affiliate companies in the US or other overseas entities), how you may access or correct information held and our privacy complaints process. readersdigest.com.au     149 Brain Games