Vocabulary

(adj.) Kind, tender, affectionate On this occasion the teacher seemed more kind and sympathetic than usual.

(v.) to impede respiration; to discomfort by lack of fresh air In “The Tell-Tale Heart” the narrator suffocates the old man with a bed.

(adj.) not able to comprehend It is unfathomable to me how anyone could hurt an innocent child.

(n.) practical understanding, shrewdness, or intelligence The savvy businessman made one million dollars on his first real estate deal.

(v.) to draw back or tense the body as from pain or a blow; flinch The young man winced in pain when he broke his leg running through the woods.

(adj.) not clearly stated; not definite Her directions were so vague that I got lost as soon as I was back on the road.

(adj.) skeptical; not showing belief The teacher looked at the student with an incredulous smile when he said the dog ate his homework.

(adv.) dishonestly; unprincipled The killer looked roguishly at her victim, which let the victim know the end was near.

(adj.) easily angered or provoked The new student’s fiery temper got him suspended his first week of school because he could not control his anger.

(adj.) unconcerned; casual; unexcited Even though the narrator would look in the old man every night, he would act nonchalant every morning so the old man would non become suspicious.

(adj.) brave; stately; grand He was a gallant knight and saved all the women from the angry dragon.

(adj.) made speechless with amazement; astonished Dr. Clark was dumbfounded when she saw the student trip another kid right in front of her.

(adj.) disinterested Although the other students tried to be friends with James, he remained aloof and uninterested.

(adj.) stubborn; low or vile; unpleasant in temper His cheery disposition made him the exact opposite of his ornery neighbor.

(adj.) of the highest class Only the most elite group of students will be able to participate in the Most Valuable Student Program.

(adv) showing or expressing disdain or scorn She looked at me contemptuously when I showed up at the party with her ex- boyfriend.

(n) an institution for reforming young offenders or minors The judge hoped that a stint at the reformatory would rehabilitate the young man and set him on a straight path.

(n) a forewarning; a feeling or anticipation or anxiety over a future event A chill went up my spine as I felt a premonition that something bad was about to happen.

(adv) continuous; not stopping The traffic jam seemed to continue unceasingly without an end in sight.

(n) a bold or daring resistance to authority The antagonistic teen kept running in defiance of the police officer who was ordering him to stop.

(adj) extremely confusing The vague instructions made the test bewildering to the confused students.

(adj) expressing strong displeasure over something unjust or offensive Joe and Frank were indignant when the “new guy” made fun of Charlie.

(adj) gloomy or dismal Mrs. Pittard felt sullen when she found out her sister could not come to Tennessee for Thanksgiving.

(n) a person who is extremely addicted to a harmful habit The drug fiend sought rehabilitation for her dangerous addiction.

(v) to beg for mercy The criminal’s mother implored the judge to show compassion for her son.

(v) to avoid or escape using trickery or cleverness The thief was able to cunningly elude the police by posing as a reporter at the scene of the crime.

(v) to give testimony under oath, usually in court The witness was subpoenaed by the defense to testify in court and refute the evidence presented by the prosecution.

(n) uncontrollable laughter or weeping The mom was in hysterics when her son was rushed to the hospital.

(n) the proving of guilt The accused received a conviction when his lawyer failed to prove his alibi.

(n) the liquid part of blood The blood bank preserved the donated plasma until it was needed for a blood transfusion.