Chapter 3 Vocab Words

Question 1

Three seconds after reading this letter from the honorable Secretary of the Navy, I understood at last that my true vocation, my sole purpose in life, was to hunt down this disturbing monster and rid the world of it.

Answer 1

Vocationnoun. The work in which someone is employed, profession

Question 2

In Conseil I had a seasoned specialist in biological classification, an enthusiast who could run with acrobatic agility up and down the whole ladder of branches, groups, classes, subclasses, orders, families, genera, subgenera, species, and varieties.

Answer 2

Seasonedadjective. Experienced

Question 3

In Conseil I had a seasoned specialist in biological classification, an enthusiast who could run with acrobatic agility up and down the whole ladder of branches, groups, classes, subclasses, orders, families, genera, subgenera, species, and varieties.

Answer 3

Agilityadjective. The gracefulness of a person or animal that is quick and nimble

Question 4

In Conseil I had a seasoned specialist in biological classification, an enthusiast who could run with acrobatic agility up and down the whole ladder of branches, groups, classes, subclasses, orders, families, genera, subgenera, species, and varieties.

Answer 4

Specienoun. A coin or coins of gold, silver, copper, or other metal

Question 5

Well versed in the theory of classification, he was poorly versed in its practical application, and I doubt that he could tell a sperm whale from a baleen whale!

Answer 5

Practicaladjective. Involving experience or actual use rather than theory

Question 6

Moreover, he enjoyed excellent health that defied all ailments, owned solid muscles, but hadn’t a nerve in him, not a sign of nerves – the mental type, I mean.

Answer 6

Defyverb. To challenge to do something considered impossible; Dare

Question 7

Moreover, he enjoyed excellent health that defied all ailments, owned solid muscles, but hadn’t a nerve in him, not a sign of nerves – the mental type, I mean.

Answer 7

Ailmentnoun. Slight sickness

Question 8

Ordinarily, I never asked whether or not it suited him to go with me on my journeys; but this time an expedition was at issue that could drag on indefinitely, a hazardous undertaking whose purpose was to hunt an animal that could sink a frigate as easily as a walnut shell!

Answer 8

Expeditionnoun. Efficient promptness; Speed

Question 9

Ordinarily, I never asked whether or not it suited him to go with me on my journeys; but this time an expedition was at issue that could drag on indefinitely, a hazardous undertaking whose purpose was to hunt an animal that could sink a frigate as easily as a walnut shell!

Answer 9

Hazardousadjective. Dangerous; Risky

Question 10

The author of a two-volume work, in quarto, on The Mysteries of the Great Ocean Depths has no excuse for not setting sail with Commander Farragut.

Answer 10

Quartonoun. An eight-page newspaper of any size

Question 11

Conseil did them in a flash, and I was sure the lad hadn’t missed a thing, because he classified shirts and suits as expertly as birds and mammals.

Answer 11

Classifyverb. To arrange or order by categories

Question 12

It was a high-speed frigate furnished with superheating equipment that allowed the tension of its steam to build to seven atmospheres.

Answer 12

Superheatverb. To heat to excess

Question 13

It was a high-speed frigate furnished with superheating equipment that allowed the tension of its steam to build to seven atmospheres.

Answer 13

Tensionnoun. State or degree of stretching or being stretched

Question 14

Under this pressure the Abraham Lincoln reached an average speed of 18.3 miles per hour, a considerable speed but still not enough to cope with our gigantic cetacean.

Answer 14

Considerableadjective. Rather large or great in size, distance, extent, etc.

Question 15

Under this pressure the Abraham Lincoln reached an average speed of 18.3 miles per hour, a considerable speed but still not enough to cope with our gigantic cetacean.

Answer 15

Giganticadjective. Tremendous

Question 16

And so if I’d been delayed by a quarter of an hour or even less, the frigate would have gone without me, and I would have missed out on this unearthly, extraordinary, and inconceivable expedition, whose true story might well meet with some skepticism.

Answer 16

Skepticnoun. One who instinctively or habitually doubts, questions, or disagrees with assertions or generally accepted conclusions

Question 17

And so if I’d been delayed by a quarter of an hour or even less, the frigate would have gone without me, and I would have missed out on this unearthly, extraordinary, and inconceivable expedition, whose true story might well meet with some skepticism.

Answer 17

Inconceivableadjective. Incomprehensible

Question 18

And so if I’d been delayed by a quarter of an hour or even less, the frigate would have gone without me, and I would have missed out on this unearthly, extraordinary, and inconceivable expedition, whose true story might well meet with some skepticism.

Answer 18

Extraordinaryadjective. Unusual

Question 19

And so if I’d been delayed by a quarter of an hour or even less, the frigate would have gone without me, and I would have missed out on this unearthly, extraordinary, and inconceivable expedition, whose true story might well meet with some skepticism.

Answer 19

Unearthlyadjective. Unnaturally strange and frightening

Question 20

At this order, which was relayed to the engine by means of a compressed-air device, the mechanics activated the start-up wheel.

Answer 20

Compressverb. To condense

Question 21

At this order, which was relayed to the engine by means of a compressed-air device, the mechanics activated the start-up wheel.

Answer 21

Mechanicsnoun. The branch of physics that treats the phenomena caused by the action of forces

Question 22

The blades of the propeller churned the waves with increasing speed, and the Abraham Lincoln moved out majestically amid a spectator-laden escort of some 100 ferries and tenders.

Answer 22

Spectatornoun. One who looks on or watches

Question 23

The blades of the propeller churned the waves with increasing speed, and the Abraham Lincoln moved out majestically amid a spectator-laden escort of some 100 ferries and tenders.

Answer 23

Propellernoun. A revolving shaft with blades to drive a ship or aircraft

Question 24

The escort of boats and tenders still followed the frigate and only left us when we came abreast of the lightship, whose two signal lights mark the entrance of the narrows to Upper New York Bay.

Answer 24

Entrancenoun. To fill with delight, wonder, or enchantment

Question 25

The escort of boats and tenders still followed the frigate and only left us when we came abreast of the lightship, whose two signal lights mark the entrance of the narrows to Upper New York Bay.

Answer 25

Signaladjective. Distinguished from the ordinary