Semester 1 Vocabulary

Question 1

Mr. Gilmore made a __________remark when he called us “nerds” at the start of class.

Answer 1

derogatory (adjective) to show a critical or disrespectful attitutude

Question 2

I feel __________ whenever I check Powerschool because I don’t want to get in trouble for my poor grades.

Answer 2

apprehensive (adjective) anxious or fearful

Question 3

Wreck-it Ralph’s face __________ with rage as he stalked toward his enemy.

Answer 3

contorted (adjective) twisted or bent out of its normal shape

Question 4

“I’m missing a log,” Mr. Gilmore said, then turned to Zach and pointed a finger at him. “We all know it’s yours!” Zach got up, __________ his reading log onto the front table, then stormed out of class.

Answer 4

flounced (verb - past tense) to move in an exaggerated way, usually with impatience or anger

Question 5

My brother called my sister a __________ because he didn’t like the skirt she was wearing. She told him he could keep his opinion to himself.

Answer 5

tart (noun) a prostitute an insult aimed at a woman

Question 6

The puppy whimpered __________ when I stepped on his tail.

Answer 6

plaintively (adverb) done in a sad, somewhat pathetic way

Question 7

The pile of essays formed a veritable mountain which loomed over Mr. Gilmore. “There’s just too much work. It isn’t fair!” Mr. Gilmore __________.

Answer 7

mourned (verb - past tense) to feel or express sadness

Question 8

The heavy-_________ plane took longer than usual to reach its destination because it was weighed down by so much luggage.

Answer 8

laden (adjective) burdened, loaded down Usually seen in the form “laden with _____”

Question 9

On Thanksgiving, the tables were __________ with all kinds of food.

Answer 9

laden (adjective) burdened, loaded down Usually seen in the form “laden with _____”

Question 10

“I get it,” Mr. Gilmore said __________, rolling his eyes. “But it doesn’t matter; you aren’t getting an extension.

Answer 10

brusquely (adverb) spoken in a straightforward, rude, rough way.

Question 11

“You know you have a major project due in five minutes, right?” Mr. Gilmore asked. Darin smiled __________ and shrugged.

Answer 11

complacently (adverb) Done without paying attention to potential danger

Question 12

The most important among our class rules is that we never use __________ language when speaking to each other.

Answer 12

derogatory (adjective) to show a critical or disrespectful attitude

Question 13

Today was so terrible that I went straight home, __________ onto my bed, and fell asleep.

Answer 13

flounced (verb - past tense) to move in an exaggerated way, usually with impatience or anger

Question 14

When Mr. Gilmore called on her to answer his question, Shay’s face was __________ with thought as she struggled to remember the answer.

Answer 14

contorted (adjective) twisted or bent out of its normal shape

Question 15

When he was in seventh grade, Mr. Gilmore __________ lost the class spelling bee because he didn’t want to complete in front of the school.

Answer 15

deliberately (adverb) intentionally; on purpose OR in a slow and careful way

Question 16

Joe took longer than usual to get home because his backpack was __________ with countless books which slowed him down.

Answer 16

laden (adjective) burdened, loaded down Usually seen in the form “laden with _____”

Question 17

The puppy let out a _________ whimper when I stepped on his tail.

Answer 17

plaintive (adjective) sad or pathetic

Question 18

Daniel was __________ at the thought of yet another vocab quiz. He was so upset that he worried all weekend about it.

Answer 18

apprehensive (adjective) anxious or fearful

Question 19

Few people know that the __________ tree is symbolic of strength, protection, eternity, and divinity.

Answer 19

Sycamore (3, 7)

A large, European-Asian maple tree
Symbolic of “strength, protection, eternity, divinity (God)

Question 20

After getting sent home for misbehaving, Matteo spent hours ____________ his actions and regretting them.

Answer 20

Contemplating

Contemplate: To look at for a long time (in a thoughtful way)

To think about deeply

Question 21

In medeival times, priests’ books might have been kept in the either the __________ or in the adjacent cloister alley.

Answer 21

Sacristy

The back room in a church where a priest prepares for a service/sermon; where special clothing and other religious tools are kept

Question 22

Wool is a sustainable fabric; every year the sheep will grow new wool to be __________.

Answer 22

Sheared

To cut the wool off (a sheep)

Question 23

Next summer, I plan to take a trip to __________, the southernmost region of Spain.

Answer 23

Andalusia

Question 24

My hair is blonde, and I have always been jealous of my sister’s dark, _________ hair.

Answer 24

Raven (6)

A black bird, similar to a crow.

Raven is ALSO an adjective for anything that’s the glossy black color of a raven’s feathers: “His raven hair was held out of his eyes with a sweatband.”

Question 26

During the summer, it’s best to stay indoors when the sun is at its __________. Otherwise, you risk getting a terrible sunburn.

Answer 26

Zenith

the time at which something is most powerful or successful.

The time when the sun is at its highest point – the peak of an arc

Question 32

These children are weak because they lack proper __________. Some fruits and vegetables will do them good.

Answer 32

Nourishment (noun)

the food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition.

Food, water, nutritional stuff

Question 34

Though his class was courageous, it was impossible for them to __________ the horror of Mr. Gilmore’s bad puns. They fell to the ground and begged him to stop telling jokes.

Answer 34

Withstand

Resist; get through; remain undamaged or unaffected by

Past tense = withstood

Question 35

Because he wanted to become a priest, my cousin studied __________ at the seminary.

Answer 35

Theology

The study of religion

Priests study theology

Question 36

Payton spent most of her day at the museum, __________ various works of art.

Answer 36

Contemplating

Contemplate: To look at for a long time (in a thoughtful way)

–> To think about deeply

Question 37

Joe worked hard throughout the Autumn, gathering wood to stoke the furnace in his cabin. As a result, he was able to__________ one of the hardest winters anyone had ever seen.

Answer 37

Withstand

Resist; get through; remain undamaged or unaffected by

Past tense = withstood

Question 38

Provide your garden with __________ and it will flourish, rewarding you with ripe vegetables to fill your plate.

Answer 38

Nourishment (noun)

the food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition.

Food, water, nutritional stuff

Question 39

The sun was well past its __________ and headed toward the trees on the west side of the cabin.

Answer 39

Zenith

the time at which something is most powerful or successful.

The time when the sun is at its highest point – the peak of an arc

Question 40

Zach reached the _________ of his greatness when he earned the nickname “Carbatron.” After that, there was no way he could become any cooler.

Answer 40

Zenith

the time at which something is most powerful or successful.

The time when the sun is at its highest point – the peak of an arc

Question 41

This poor creature has been __________ of its wool.

Answer 41

Sheared

To cut the wool off (a sheep)

Question 43

When I was in the bathroom, my friends put spaghetti sauce in my chair. I sat down and stained my pants, and even after washing them countless times my butt was __________ red.

Answer 43

tinged (adjective)

Meaning of tinged in English

having a very slight amount of a color OR of a feeling:

Question 44

Wanting to become a priest, he studied theology in the __________ for several years.

Answer 44

seminary (noun)

a college that prepares students to be priests, ministers, or rabbis.
A school of theology

Question 45

Bella considered studying for her test, but decided to take a __________ risk and didn’t study. She figured she knew the material fairly well, and if she did end up failing then she could always retake it.

Answer 45

calculated (adjective)

undertaken after considering the likelihood of success or failure (EX: a calculated risk)

deliberately planned; premeditated (EX: a calculated insult)

Question 46

Ash spent hours in front of the computer, studying her data. Finally, she got to her feet and paced about the laboratory. Adjusting her glasses and straightening her coat, she leaned close to the computer and did her best to __________ the statistics before her. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t detect any sort of pattern.

Answer 46

interpret (verb)

to describe the meaning of something; examine in order to explain. OR to change what someone is saying into the words of another language; translate:

Question 47

After a lengthy __________ with my doctor, I was convinced to change my dietary and exercise habits.

Answer 47

consultation (noun)

a meeting to discuss something or to get advice

Question 48

Mr. Gilmore was almost finished handing back essay results. Charlotte wasn’t paying attention, so she was surprised to find the paper on her desk.

“These are our essays!” she exclaimed.

“How very observant,” Mr. Gilmore said __________.

Answer 48

dryly (adverb)

in a matter-of-fact or ironically humorous way
Often spoken with a straight face, but with a touch of sarcasm

Question 49

Christian sighed. It was a lazy Sunday, and he just couldn’t get into the book that jerk Mr. Gilmore (also known as the worst teacher in the world) assigned him. He __________ the pages for a while, then tossed the thing aside and decided to do something else.

Answer 49

leafed through

leaf through (phrasal verb –> these two words always come as a pair, sort of like LADEN WITH)

If you leaf through something such as a book or magazine, you turn the pages without reading or looking at them very carefully.

Question 50

Ava was __________ distracted by the bright red bird that flew past the classroom window.

“Are you paying attention?” Mr. Gilmore asked, glowering at her. His expression was truly indimidating.

“Sorry,” Ava said. “I’m focused now.”

Answer 50

momentarily (adverb)

for a short time

Question 51

Mitzi rolled her eyes. “What do you want from me, Mr. Gilmore?” She was more than a little annoyed with his endless nagging.

Mr. Gilmore waved her essay in her face. “This? This is NOT your best work. I simply want you to ___________ your potential.”

Answer 51

realize (verb)

If someone or something realizes their potential, they accomplish as much as they are capable of

Question 52

This was a quiz unlike any Carbatron had faced before. It turned out that his studying was __________, for nothing he reviewed was on the paper before him.

Answer 52

Fruitless (adjective)

Fruitless actions, events, or efforts are not successful despite great effort

Question 53

During the Halloween season, black cats are thought to be a bad __________. Because of this, many adoption centers have a hard time convincing people to take these cats home.

Answer 53

Omen - an event that seems to be a symbol of something good or evil, similar to a sign of good luck.

Is USUALLY thought to predict good or evil in the future.

Question 54

Answer 54

Moors (noun)
Moorish (adjective)

“Moor” was a term used to refer to muslims during the period when The Alchemist takes place. Hundreds of years before the start of the story, the Moors inhabited Spain and left a great influence on the country and its people.

Question 56

Mr. Gilmore’s class always knew when their teacher was in a bad mood. On certain days he wore a black hoodie. This dark hoodie __________ his dark mood, and on this days he would shy away from bright lights and plug his ears with his fingers if anyone tried to speak to him.

Answer 56

signify (verb) - to be evidence of OR to be a sign of something

Past tense - signified

Similar words: represent, symbolize

Question 57

Nick had many concerns about Mr. Gilmore’s poor teaching, so he arranged a meeting. They met during lunch and __________ at length regarding a number of different topics. Their discussion ended with Mr. Gilmore breaking down in tears and apologizing to Nick for his shortcomings.

Answer 57

Conversed

Converse - to engage in conversation

Question 58

Shay __________ at Mr. Gilmore’s painting. Her teacher was such a skilled artist that his rendering of the classroom was indistinguishable from the real thing; it almost looked like a photograph.

Answer 58

To marvel (verb) - to look upon something with amazement

OR

Marvel (noun) - something amazing

Question 59

Answer 59

Strait - a narrow passage of water connecting two large bodies of water.

This arrow points to the Straits of Gibraltar.

Question 60

Payton walked into class and was stopped in her tracks by the chorus of voices singing “happy birthday.” She was __________. Red-faced, she hurried to her seat and buried her face in her folded arms. This was, by far, the most embarrassing thing she’d ever experienced.

Answer 60

Abashed (adjective) - ashamed or embarrassed

Question 62

Charlotte and her classmates __________ to keep Mr. Gilmore distracted all class by talking about cats. Their goal was to prevent him from introducing the lesson so that they were guaranteed to have no homework.

Answer 62

Conspired (verb) - to act or work together toward the same result or goal.

Often used with the word “to.” (Conspire to _________) or (Conspired to __________)

Question 63

The entire class __________ Mr. Gilmore’s absence. They understood that, without him, their day was only half as awesome as it could have been. He truly was the coolest dude in existence.

Answer 63

Lament (verb) - to feel or express sorrow or regret for something or someont

Lament (noun) - an expression of sorrow or regret (sometimes “a lament” is a poem or song that expresses sorrow)

Question 64

Charles was deeply upset. While fighting off the ninjas, he got a hole in his favorite t-shirt. Fortunately, Dan was skilled at sewing and was able to __________ it for him.

Answer 64

mend - to repair

Often refers to clothing or fabric

Can be used two ways:
A) He MENDED the saddle. (Contains a direct object for the verb - “the saddle”)
B) His bones MENDED. (Verb has no direct object)

Question 65

In his first years of teaching, Mr. Gilmore became angry whenever a student interrupted him. Now, after several years, he had become __________ to being interrupted.

Answer 65

accustomed

Usually “accustomed to _________” / “accustomed to something”

To become used to something, to get used to something so that it becomes ordinary

Question 66

Today was a terrible day for Charles. He missed the bus, walked to school in the rain, and was surprised by two tests he’d forgotten about.

When Christian asked Charles how his day was, Charles smiled __________ and said, “I suppose it couldn’t be much worse.” As soon as he finished speaking, his smile vanished and a single tear appeared at the corner of his eye to roll slowly down his cheek.

Answer 66

ruefully (adverb)

Done in a way that shows feeling, sorrow, or pity (synonym: mournfully)

rueful (adjective) –> “a rueful smile” = “a sad smile”

Question 67

Though years of students’ nonsense had made him weary, Mr. Gilmore still __________ some of the youthful optimism he’d possessed when he first became a teacher.

Answer 67

retained

retain (verb) - to keep possession or ownership of

Question 68

Ten minutes passed during which Mr. Gilmore’s class raised their hands with question after question. What about this grade? What about that grade? What are we doing next?

Finally, tired of their __________ questioning, Mr. Gilmore put his fingers in his ears and pretended not to hear his students.

Answer 68

incessant (adjective)

continuing without interruption; ceaseless; unending:

Question 69

In college, Mr. Gilmore’s best friend earned money doing tarot card readings for friends and acquaintances. He was skilled in __________, and his predictions about the future were eerily accurate.

Answer 69

divination

the practice of attempting to foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge by occult or supernatural means.

Question 70

When Mitzi’s cruise ship docked in Seattle, she __________ and spent most of the afternoon ashore. After several hours of visiting the local museums and shops, she returned to the ship.

Answer 70

disembark (verb)

to go ashore from a ship.

Question 71

Though he seemed a mellow fellow, Anthony’s dream was to __________ the world. He was, in reality, an evil genius bent on bringing all the nations of the earth under his control. If that required force, then so be it.

Answer 71

conquer

to overcome by force

Question 72

Lia spent her afternoons working in a flower shop. More than anything, she enjoyed the pleasant __________ of the tulips that bloomed in spring.

Answer 72

aroma (noun)

an odor arising from spices, plants, cooking, etc., especially an agreeable odor; fragrance.

Question 73

Shay was __________ disappointed in Mr. Gilmore. She submitted an essay three weeks ago and he still hadn’t looked at the thing.

What a loser, she thought.

Answer 73

Profoundly

Very, extremely (more intense than either of these two words)
The “fancy meter” for ‘profoundly’ is 90, while the “fancy meter” for very is 20.

Question 74

Jason, Nick, Phil, and Zach always made a squeaky noise during class. Mr. Gilmore found it difficult to put up with, but Darin found it quite ___________. He didn’t understand why Mr. Gilmore had such a hard time ignoring the noise.

Answer 74

Tolerable (adjective)

Able to be tolerated

Able to be put up with

Question 75

Mr. Gilmore went to great lengths to teach his class about motifs, which are essentially __________ symbols.

He explained, “The fact that they repeat over and over is what sets them apart from symbols.”

Answer 75

Recurring

Repeating, happening again and again

Question 76

Mr. Gilmore didn’t have to check his students’ grades to know where their understanding was. He had an __________ sense of their comprehension.

Answer 76

intuitive (adjective)

Able to be understood through a “gut feeling.”

Able to be understood through feeling rather than logical reasoning.

Question 77

Upon first meeting Mr. Gilmore, Lexxah had an __________ sense that there was something weird about him.

This was confirmed when he admitted to watching anime.

What a loser, she thought.

Answer 77

intuitive (adjective)

Able to be understood through a “gut feeling.”

Able to be understood through feeling rather than logical reasoning.

Question 78

“Here’s your assignment,” Mr. Gilmore said. “I want you to write me a fifty-page story detailing every single event that has ever happened to you.”

Bella __________ at the assignment. “Are you serious?”

What a loser, she thought.

Answer 78

balked

to hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking.

Question 79

“If you want to learn how to write well,” Mr. Gilmore began, “you have to __________ in good books and good writing. You can’t just do a little here and there - you have to be deeply involved.”

Christian rolled his eyes. What a loser, he thought.

Answer 79

immerse

involve oneself deeply in a particular activity or interest.

dip or submerge in a liquid.

Question 80

The worst part of swimming is when the water is cold. To accustom yourself to the temperature, you need to __________ yourself in the water. Dipping just your foot won’t do; all of you needs to be in the water.

Answer 80

immerse

involve oneself deeply in a particular activity or interest.

dip or submerge in a liquid.

Question 81

Mr. Gilmore stood before class. “You kids just don’t get it. Pokemon is one of the greatest games ever invented. When I was ten, I had a __________ for collecting cards, completing the games, buying toys – everything.”

Lia exchanged a skeptical look with Matteo.

“What a loser,” she whispered to him.

Answer 81

mania (noun)

an excessive enthusiasm or desire; an obsession.
Also a term for mental illness characterized by unrestrained enthusiasm/obsession that negatively impacts your life

Question 82

Mr. Gilmore stood at the front of class. “The movie Happy Gilmore, starring Adam Sandler, was actually based on my experiences,” he said. “They stole the events from my journals and wrote the script for the film without ever paying me a cent. Can you believe it?”

The class was __________. There was no way this story was true.

What a loser, they thought.

Answer 82

incredulous (adjective)

Unable or unwilling to believe something

Question 83

Mr. Gilmore considered the __________ lies he told his students, usually in the form of stories. There were so many of them that he found it hard to keep track.

I hope they don’t think I’m a lying loser, he thought.

Answer 83

Innumerable (adjective)

Unable to be counted

“A lot of” / “Very many”

Question 84

Shay was initially unwilling to join the skydiving team. However, Christian _______________ her to join by repeatedly reminding her how lucky the team would be to have her. Flattered, she agreed.

Answer 84

Cajoled (verb)

Cajole

persuade (someone) to do something by by convincing them, talking them into something in a friendly way

The idea is that you’re convincing someone - “Come on! It’ll be fun! You know you’ll regret it if you don’t!”

You are NOT forcing or bullying them into it.

Question 85

Jason burst through the door and stormed through the desks, pushing each of them aside as he reached them. When he came to the back of the room, he retrieved his agenda. Then, with a brief “Hello!” to Mr. Gilmore, he departed.

Mr. Gilmore stood in shock long after his _______________ student had left.

Answer 85

Impetuous (adjective)

Also be aware of: impetuously (adverb)

Headstrong, impulsive, moving quickly and without thought or care

acting or done quickly and without thought or care.

moving forcefully or rapidly.

Question 86

Charles’s _______________ reason for missing class was that he was sick. In truth, he wanted to stay home to play games.

Answer 86

Ostensible (adjective)

stated or appearing to be true, but not so

Mr. Gilmore’s favorite word in the English language

Question 87

Mr. Gilmore delayed the vocab quiz for the _______________ reason that he was too busy to create it. In truth, he was too busy training to become an astronaut.

Answer 87

Ostensible (adjective)

stated or appearing to be true, but not so

Mr. Gilmore’s favorite word in the English language

Question 88

Mr. Gilmore sighed impatiently as Matteo checked his quiz for the forty-seventh time.

Matteo was now certain that every ‘i’ was dotted and every ‘t’ was crossed. He’d spelled each word correctly, capitalized all proper nouns, and provided enough space between each word. Furthermore, his letters were written perfectly straight. Finally, he reached the last sentence he’d written.

“I’m not sure if I should end this sentence with a period or an exclamation point,” Matteo said. “Maybe I have to use my probability simulator.”

Mr. Gilmore sighed. “Would you stop being so _______________ and turn your quiz in?”

Answer 88

persnickety (adjective)

fussy about small details

Question 89

Santiago lived the _______________ life of a shepherd, wandering all over Andalusia and never calling one place home.

Answer 89

itinerant (adjective)

Describing someone who travels from place to place (ex: an itinerant lifestyle is a traveling lifestyle)

Question 90

Throughout his twenties, the _______________ Mr. Gilmore lived all over the place. He moved from New Hampshire to South Korea, then Washington State. Finally, he settled in Connecticut.

Answer 90

itinerant (adjective)

Describing someone who travels from place to place (ex: an itinerant lifestyle is a traveling lifestyle)

Question 91

Mr. Gilmore folded his arms and glared at his class. “I’m disappointed in all of you.”

Ever the _______________, Dan put on a fake frown. “I’m disappointed in myself, Mr. Gilmore. I’m so sorry you’re disappointed in me.” Then, Dan did his best to cry on command. A solitary tear rolled down his cheek.

Dan’s classmates rolled their eyes, but Mr. Gilmore failed to see through Dan’s sucking up. The rest of them earned detentions, but Dan was allowed to go home on time.

Answer 91

sycophant (noun)

a servile self-seeking flatterer

a suck-up who is trying to get ahead

Also be aware of sycophantic (adjective): to have the qualities of a suck-up

Question 92

Socratic had been going for over an hour. Sweat beaded the student’s foreheads; things were getting heated.

“The real question,” Alanna asked, “is what do you think the hawk symbolizes?”

Ash took a deep breath. The whole class looked at her. For a long moment, they fell into a _______________ silence, as they waited to hear Ash’s brilliant idea.

Answer 92

parturient (adjective)

Parturient literally means pregnant, but you can use it to describe a “pregnant silence.” The silence isn’t going to have a baby, but it’s “pregnant” with meaning or importance. Someone is about to say something meaningful, and there’s tension in the silence because of this.