(the poem)

(1) in new york, back in the nineteenth century, it was customary for politicians to host big events, called beefsteaks, dedicated to the eating of beef. (2) they used the event to try to curry favor among the people and win their votes. (3) the organizers would rent an enormous hall. (4) people would sit down at long picnic tables. (5) the beef was always grilled tenderloin, brought straight from the grill. (6) in australia they like to put shrimp on the grill. (7) the beef was then cut into small pieces and placed on a small piece of stale bread and served to the hungry guests. (8) tradition dictated that no one ever ate the bread. (9) rather, the bread was stacked on the table into “towers” as proof of how much beef has been consumed. (10) also, there were no utensils allowed. (11) everyone ate with their fingers, and washed down the beef with ale.

(12) there was debate about whether any side dishes should be served. (13) fried or baked potatoes, pickles, lamb, and even organ meats were served by some beefsteaks. (14) mostly, however, people just wanted beef. (15) after all, beef, it was expensive in those days and these events were all-you-can-eat.

(16) eventually in the twentieth century, when women could finally vote, the beefsteak ceased to be an all-male event. (17) later, the tradition faded away and survived only in a few union halls in bergen and passaic counties in northern new jersey. (18) today there is a beefsteak revival in new york. (19) not by politicians, but just by people who want to eat plenty of beef.

since i have never actually been on a plane, my fear of flying is purely ; my fear of tight spaces, however, is and based on past experiences.

fatuous…gregarious

inane…querulous

acute…deliberate

theoretical…authentic

now that the old house has been and restored to its original splendor, it is one of the finest examples of nineteenth-century architecture in the city.

flabbergasted

infringed

mollified

refurbished

the damage those rumors did to the actor's reputation is so it is somewhat understandable that he became so and bitter towards the members of the press who spread lies about him.

wanton…sublime

irrevocable…vindictive

genial…zealous

odious…impeccable

in the harbor, in the island, in the spanish seas,
are the tiny white houses and the orange trees,
and day-long, night-long, the cool and pleasant breeze
of the steady trade winds blowing.

there is the red wine, the nutty spanish ale,
the shuffle of the dancers, the old salt's tale,
the squeaking fiddle, and the soughing in the sail
of the steady trade winds blowing.

and o' nights there's fire-flies and the yellow moon,
and in the ghostly palm-trees the sleepy tune
of the quiet voice calling me, the long low croon
of the steady trade winds blowing.

based on context clues, you can infer that "the old salt" is

a simple boat

an ancient house

an experienced sailor

an aged wine.

the images of the poem's third stanza all

afternoon

night

morning

winter