Vocabulary/Grammar List 11 One’s vocabulary needs constant fertilizing or it will die.” ∞ Evelyn Waugh Name______Mrs. Allred & Mrs. Barton | 8th LA

Vocabulary in Context. When you come across a word you do not know, you may ascertain its definition by examining context clues—that is—use the other words (synonyms, comparisons, cause and effect, series, antonyms; also, look at the word’s prefix/suffix ) in the sentence to deduce the quasi-meaning of the word. This may not work every time, but may most. Read the sentences, probing for context clues and then write what you think the word means on each blank, respectively.

1. Even though the youngster did not actually steal the vehicle, he acted as one of the thief’s accomplices. ______

2. Since most guys wait until Christmas Eve or the very last second to buy their presents, the gifts they do buy are arbitrary and without much thought or meaning. ______

3. In science class, we added the catalysts to our experiment, so we didn’t have to wait six years for the results. ______

4. The helpful librarian did much to facilitate the research for my term paper; without her, the assignment would have been tediously tiresome. ______

5. After years in and out of various prisons and countless lectures from judges, Mad Man Mike seemed unable to change his behavior; he was incorrigible and lived the life of a career criminal. ______

6. You may think that his explanation is perfectly clear, but I find it puzzling and opaque. ______

7. No matter what make of automobile you have, it is of paramount importance that you learn to drive safely before you use it. ______

8. Her friends call her “Motormouth Michelle” because she has a remarkable capacity to prattle on endlessly about most trivial matters. ______

9. After the opposing speakers had both presented their cases, they were allotted time to rebut each other’s arguments. ______

10. The doctor warned relatives that if the patient’s condition deteriorated any further, the patient would succumb to pneumonia. ______

Synonyms. Choose the word that is most nearly the same in meaning to each of the following groups of expressions.

1. unclear, cloudy, (obscure) ______2. to ease, to simplify, (assist) ______

3. a partner in crime, a confederate______4. to give way, to die, (capitulate)______

5. random, illogical, (haphazard)______6. a stimulus, a spur, (an instigator)______

7. to refute, to disprove, (shoot holes in) ______8. incurable, unruly, (habitual) ______

9. supreme, dominant, (foremost)______10. to chatter, to babble, (gibberish) ______Definition s: 1. accomplice (n.) a person who takes part in a crime; somebody who helps somebody else to commit a crime or misdeed 2. arbitrary (adj.) based on a whim; chosen or determined at random

3. catalyst (n.) a substance that speeds up a reaction; somebody or something that makes a change happen or brings about an event 4. facilitate (v.) to make something easy or easier to do 5. incorrigible (adj.) impossible or very difficult to correct or reform; impossible or very difficult to control or keep in order 6. opaque (adj.) obscure, incomprehensible; impervious to light, so that images cannot be seen through it 7. paramount (adj.) greatest in importance or significance 8. prattle (v.) to talk in a silly, idle, or childish way (n.) baby talk 9. rebut (v.) to offer arguments or evidence that contradict an assertion or point or opinion 10. succumb (v.) to be unable to resist or oppose something; to die from an illness or injury

Grammar. An understanding of standard English is essential for effective communication, whether it is spoken or written. The concepts here (indirect objects) will be assessed on Friday’s vocabulary test.

An indirect object is a noun or pronoun that comes after an action verb and before the direct object. A compound indirect object is two or more nouns or pronouns that come after the action verb and before a direct object.

Underline the direct object and circle the indirect object.

1. Please pass me the salt.

2. Did you send Grandma a thank you letter?

3. The saleslady showed Carly the new phone.

4. The principal handed Joseph and Eric their diplomas.

Word Parts. Recognizing common Latin and Greek word parts (prefixes, roots, and suffixes) can help us decipher unknown words that we encounter in our reading. The word part for this week will be assessed on Friday’s vocabulary test.

ANN, ENNI - ______

Examples:

A picture that helps you remember the word part: