1. Vocabulary – Unit 1
Level C

2. Adage POS: Noun Definition: A proverb, wise saying
Sentence: A common adage in the south is, “never shake hands with a crawfish.”

3. Bonanza
POS: Noun
Definition: A rich mass of ore in a mine; something very valuable; profitable or rewarding; a source of wealth or prosperity; a very large amount; sudden profit or gain
Sentence: The miners found a bonanza of silver while mining for coal

4. Churlish POS: Adjective
Definition: lacking politeness or good manners; lacking sensitivity; difficult to work with or deal with; rude.
Sentence: Carrie was placed in time out due to her churlish attitude in class.

5. Citadel
POS: Noun
Definition: A fortress that overlooks and protects a city; any strong or commanding place
Sentence: The foreign army’s advancement forced the men to retreat into the citadel for protection.

6. Collaborate POS: verb Definition: to work with, work together
Sentence: When I create lesson plans, I collaborate with the other ninth grade English teachers.

7. Decree POS: Noun Definition: An order having the force of law
POS: verb
Definition: To issue such an order to command firmly and force fully.
Sentence: The president issued a decree that forced students to read eight books a year in English class.

8. Discordant POS: Adjective
Definition: disagreeable in sound, jarring, lacking in harmony.
Sentence: Max’s discordant wails woke everyone in the house.

9. Evolve
POS: Verb
Definition: To develop gradually; to rise to a higher level
Sentence: Part of Darwin’s theory is that all creatures have evolved over time from common ancestors.

10. Excerpt
POS: Noun
Definition: A passage taken from a book, article, etc.
POS: Verb
Definition: To take such a passage; to quote
Sentence: You will include excerpts from various texts in your research paper.

11. Grope
POS: Verb
Definition: to feel about hesitantly with the hands; to search blindly and uncertainly
Sentence: The blindfolded child groped for the correct spot to pin the tail on the donkey.

12. Hover
POS: Verb
Definition: To float or hang suspended over; to move back and forth uncertainly over or around
Sentence: We watched in terror as the UFO hovered over the city.

13. Jostle
POS: Verb
Definition: To make or force one’s way by pushing or elbowing; to bump, brush against; to compete for
Sentence: The students jostled through the crowded hallways of Howard High School.

14. Laggard Sentence: The laggard students are normally late for class.
POS: Noun
Definition: A person who moves slowly or falls behind
POS: Adjective
Definition: falling behind; slow to move, act, or respond
Sentence: The laggard students are normally late for class.

15. Plaudits POS: Noun (plural)
Definition: Applause; enthusiastic praise or approval
Sentence: There was an overwhelming amount of plaudits as the actors took their final bow.

16. Preclude
POS: Verb
Definition: to make impossible, prevent, or shut out
Sentence: The rain might preclude the homecoming game from taking place.

17. Revert POS: Verb Definition: to return or go back
Sentence: Once Maki started eating again she reverted to her normal energetic behavior.

18. Rubble POS: Noun Definition: Broken stone or bricks; ruins
Sentence: Days after 9/11, the NYC firefighters searched endlessly through the rubble to find any trapped victims.

19. Servile POS: Adjective
Definition: Of or relating to a slave; behaving like or suitable for a slave or servant, menial; lacking spirit or independence, abjectly submissive
Sentence: In Harry Potter, Dobby, the house elf, is freed from his servile lifestyle when Harry gives Dobby a sock.

20. Vigil
POS: Noun
Definition: A watch, especially at night; any period of watchful attention
Sentence: A candlelight vigil was held for the victims of the Virginia Tech shooting.

21. Wrangle
POS: Verb
Definition: To quarrel or argue in a noisy, angry way; to obtain by argument; to herd
POS: Noun
Definition: A noisy quarrel
Sentence: The other night, I watched two dogs wrangle over a bone.