1. 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.

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. accountable disheartened navigate intensity abandon resiliency thwart daunting focus reflection