1. Turning Points
Selection Vocabulary

2. “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

3. 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.
“You are your most valuable asset.”
Later, the text reads: “You are the best thing you have.” (self-explanatory)

4. “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

5. “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

6. 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.

7. “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

8. “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

9. “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

10. “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