accountable Even though the student was absent from school, he knew he was accountable for having his homework complete when he returned. Def: taking ownership Syn: responsible Ant: irresponsible P.O.S.: adj.

reflection After the tragic events of 9/11, the country spent time in reflection, thinking about what happened and how it affected them. Def: looking back, thinking about past Syn: remembrance Ant: P.O.S.: noun

focus During the test, we had to focus on the questions and do our best not to pay attention to distractions such as the kids in the hallway. Def: to pay attention Syn: concentrate Ant: distract P.O.S.: verb

daunting Finishing her project was a daunting task for Mary, but she kept at it and completed it. Def: difficult Syn: hard, tough, Ant: easy, simple P.O.S.: adjective

thwart Scooby Doo thwarted the criminals’ plot to rob the bank. They caught the crooks in the act. Def: to ruin, prevent Syn: stop Ant: allow P.O.S.: verb

abandon The families were forced to abandon their homes as the hurricane approached; the town was left nearly empty. Def: leave behind Syn: evacuate Ant: stay P.O.S.: verb

intensity The storm’s intensity had died out by the time it reached the city; its strength was much less than it had been. Def: strength Syn: power, magnitude Ant: P.O.S.: noun

navigate The scouts had to navigate their way out of the thick woods to earn their next badge; they had a tough time finding their way though. Def: find your way Syn: direct Ant: misdirect P.O.S.: verb

resiliency Bethany Hamilton showed great resiliency when she came back to surfing. She bounced back despite some difficult events. Def: ability to bounce back or push through P.O.S.: noun

disheartened The student became disheartened after doing poorly on the test. Her disappointment didn’t last long though because she knew she could retake it. Def: disappointed Syn:upset, sad Ant:happy, excited P.O.S.: adj

accountable disheartened navigate intensity abandon resiliency thwart daunting focus reflection