Turning Points Selection Vocabulary

“Hatchet” extensive (adj.): having a wide or large range, or space amphibious (adj.) able to live both on land and water motivated (v): provided with a reason to accomplish or do something obvious (adj.): easily seen, found or understood asset (n): a quality or thing that can be used to one’s advantage

Context Clues “they mounted extensive searches”: What you know: when a plane crashes in the wilderness, the search covers a wide area. 2. “Come in here with amphibious planes...that could land on the lake” In a forest, a plane needs to be able to land on water. 3. “You are your most valuable asset.” Later, the text reads: “You are the best thing you have.” (self-explanatory)

“Guts: the True Stories Behind Hatchet and the Brian Books” catastrophe (n): a sudden disaster or complete failure confluence (n): a coming together to one place sheepishly (adv): in an embarrassed, meek or shy manner inconvenience (v): to cause to be uncomfortable, to trouble expression (n): the way one’s face looks or voice sounds to show one’s feelings

“Island of the Blue Dolphins” paces (n): the rate in which someone or something moves, footsteps shaft (n): the long handle of a weapon, a shape similar to a pole limp (adj.): not rigid or stiff fortunate (adj.): coming or happening by good luck, unexpected good gathering (v): to bring together, collect

Context Clues “He was about ten paces from me” What you know: the narrator is referring to a distance, and you know the character is walking. 2.

“Dragonwings” lynched (v): put to death by mob action clans (n): a group of people united by a common purpose dynasty (n): a succession of rulers from the same family or line of descent dictation (n): the act or process of giving commands, or the giving of words to write heirlooms (n): property handed down from generation to generation Phoenix (n): a legendary bird thought to burn and then rise up from the ashes

“The Father of Chinese Aviation” exhibition (n): a public showing of arts, goods, or athletic skill occurrence (n): something that happens industrialization (v): to make or become equipped to make goods aerial (adj.): relating to the air, atmosphere or flight aviation (n) the operation of aircraft

“The Story of My Life” groped (v): felt around in an uncertain manner reveal (v): to display or make known institution (n): an established society or organization sentiment(n): a thought or attitude influenced by a feeling confounding (adj.): disorderly, confusing

“The Road Not Taken” - a poem by Robert Frost diverged (v) moved or extended in different directions from one point, a Y undergrowth (n): the low growth on the floor of a forest claim (n): to state as fact, call for trodden (adj.): walked upon hence (adv.): from this place or time