Monday, September 10, 2012

Vocab List 5


Acumen-(noun) keen insight; shrewdness                                                                                               The acumen of the project was not clear.

 

Adjudicate- (verb) to pronounce or decree by judicial sentence
He was adjudicated to three years in prison by the Supreme Court.

 

Anachronism- (noun) something/ someone who is not correct in historical or chronological time
The anachronism was dated to be from 200 B.C. but it was not; it was a fake.

 

Apocryphal- (adjective) of doubtful authorship or authenticity
The apocryphal book was said to be signed by George Washington.

 

Disparity- (noun) lack of similarity or equality 
The disparity of the two objects were so similar that you needed a microscope to see the difference.

 

Dissimulate- (verb) to conceal or disguise in false appearance
The police dissimulated the victim to keep him private.

 

Empirical- (adjective) derived from or guided from experience
She made empirical choices that was affected by her past.

 

Flamboyant- (adjective) strikingly bold or brilliant; showy
Their house was so flamboyant that you felt you weren’t able to touch anything.

 

Fulsome- (adjective) offensive to good taste, especially as being excessive; overdone or gross The hostess was wearing such a fulsome dress that she looked like she tried to hard.

 

Immolate- (verb) to sacrifice                                                                                                                  We had to immolate the newborn calf because he was born with a horrible disease.


Imperceptible- (adjective) very slight, gradual, or subtle
When donating blood I felt an imperceptible stick of the needle.

 

Lackey- (noun) a servile follower; toady
The lackey followed the golf players as they played.

 

Liaison- (noun) the contact or connection maintained by communications between units of the armed forces or of any other organization in order to ensure concerted action, cooperation, etc
The liaison was a plan that needed to be enforced by everyone to ensure security.

 

Monolithic- (adjective) made of one piece; solid or unbroken
Many people believe the monolithic statue was built by aliens.

 

Mot juste- (noun) the right word or expression
He has the mot juste that I was thinking of!

 

Nihilism- (noun) total rejection of established laws and institutions
The nihilism was denounced by all the employees.

 

Patrician- (noun) a person or noble or high rank; aristocrat
The patrician was known as Sir Francis Drake but he was also a pirate.

 

Propitiate- (verb) to make favorably inclined; appease; conciliate
Two coaches propitiated after having an argument so that they would be able to cooperate together for the game.

 

Sic- (verb) to attack
In the movie Stand By Me the boys believed that the owner of the dump was telling his dog “sic balls chopper” when in reality he was saying ‘sic’em boy”.

 

Sublimate- (adjective/ verb with object) to divert the energy of (a sexual or other biological impulse) from its immediate goal to one of a more acceptable social, moral, or aesthetic nature or use                                                                                                                                                             He had a sublimate urge to do one thing but instead he decided to clean the house.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Vocab List #4


Apostate- a person who forsakes his religion, cause or party (noun)

The apostate grew up from his a religious life to hate all religion when becoming an adult.

 

Effusive-overflow of emotion, lacking reserve (adj)

The new Santa Claus had effusive greetings toward everyone; he was kind but annoying.


Impasse- a position or situation that you cannot escape from (noun)

The house was an impasse for all the people trapped inside.


Euphoria- a state of intense happiness or self-confidence (adj)

After having her baby she was in a euphoric state.


Lugubrious- excessively mournful (noun)

After losing both of his parents the lugubrious boy fell into a depression.


Bravado- a pretentious display or courage (noun)

The bravados were hated by everyone in school because they believed that they were better than everyone.


Consensus- majority of opinion (noun)

The consensus of the group was to eat lunch at 1:30 instead of 12:30.


Dichotomy- division into two parts (noun)

The dichotomy caused the liver to be cut in half.


Constrict- to draw or press in, contract (verb)

The snaked constricted the bait so that is could not breath.


Gothic- pertaining to the Middle Ages; medieval (adj)

He his home had a gothic style that was full of history.


Punctilio- a fine point or detail as of conduct or procedure (noun)

He missed the punctilio of the event that he was fired by his over controlling boss.


Metamorphosis- change of form or appearance (verb)

The caterpillar went from a metamorphosis into a beautiful butterfly.


Raconteur- a person who can relate anecdotes and stories (noun)

Teachers can be raconteurs when they bring in own life experiences to a lesson plan.  


Sine qua non- an essential condition, element, or factor (noun)

 The sine qua non of a healthy life style is water and oxygen.


Quixotic- extravagantly chivalrous or romantic; visionary, impractical, or impracticable (adj)

It is a quixotic but honorable event.


Vendetta-a private feud in which members of a victim’s family wants to murder the slayer (noun)

The Vendetta was unsuccessful after getting caught.


Non sequitur- a statement containing an illogical conclusion (noun)


Mystique- a framework of doctrines, ideas, beliefs, or the like, constructed around a person or object, endowing the person or object with enhanced value or profound meaning (noun)

The mystique of Charles Darwin is the basis of a lot of biology theories.


Quagmire- an area of miry or boggy ground whose surface yields under the tread; a bog (noun)

The quagmire was like quicksand it was hard to get out of it.


Parlous- dangerous (adj)

The parlous dragon was no match for Beowulf.

A Hero's Journey

Deconstruct your favorite hero's journey:


The hero I chose was Hercules from the Disney moive Hercules. I chose him because he is a typical hero story. He starts off by being taken away from his parents who are gods and taken to live with mortals. He grows up to be weak and scrawny. He grows up being bullied and an outcast. Then he decides to take a journey to find out who he real is. He goes to the temple of Zeus where he realizes that he is the son of a god. Realizing this he thinks he has to be just like that. As a common hero when they realize they are meant to do something greater they try to take that opportunity. His life now revovles around training to make people proud and to hopefully become a god. He thinks that he is on top of the world after he defeats all these villians and mythical creatures. Although all heros have a weakness, his was love. He gives up all his powers to save the one he loves. Then when he does the most honorable thing by saving her without his powers; he is granted godship.

This hero had a horrible childhood, grew up to see that he had a greater purpose in life, and made it come true. But as a common hero he had his villian (Hades) and his weakness of love. In the end he was able to overcome it and be with his true love and he to become a god.

Summer Reading Notes: Pride and Prejudice


Pride and Prejudice

______-Character traits

______-Settings

Chapter 1

·         Mrs. Bennett is eager to marry off one of her daughters to Bingley. Her husband seems annoyed by all the fuss

·         Portrays how mothers would favor certain daughters according to their traits and how closely they are to hers. 

·         “You mistake me my dear. I have high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends I have heard you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least… “- Metaphor and sarcasm

Chapter 2

·         Mr. Bennett likes to keep thing low key and secretive. Example- visiting Mr. Bindley but not telling his wife.

·         Mrs. Bennett is desperate to introduce their daughter Elizabeth to Bingley but is not sure on how to approach the situation.

·         Mr. Bennett always seems to be annoyed with his wife.

·         Feelings have changed and they now want Lydia to be with Bingley.

Chapter 3

·         Bingley makes a visit but does not get to see the daughters.

·         Mr. Darcy seems to be just as perfect as Bingley.

·         Darcy did not want to dance with Elizabeth

·         Bingley dances with many girls but only dances with Jane twice.

Chapter 4

·         Elizabeth approves of Jane and Bingley

·         Darcy criticizes Jane

Chapter 5 & 6

·         Charlotte-Elizabeth’s best friend and neighbor

·         Darcy- is to proud to be likeable

·         Darcy becomes attracted to Elizabeth 

Chapter 7-10

·         Once Mr. Bennett dies his property cannot go to one of his daughters.

·         Catherine and Lydia go and Mrs. Phillips (aunt) in Meryton- militia stationed there.

·         Jane is invited to Netherfield for the day.

o   Mrs. Bennett purposely sends Jane on horse in hope that the rain can lead to an invitation to spend the night with Bingley.

·         Jane becomes sick and stays with Bingley for a while.

·         Elizabeth goes and visits Jane. Upon arrival she is criticized for being dirty but ends up spending the night.

·         Miss. Bingley makes fun of Elizabeth and Jane.

·         Elizabeth still does not like Darcy and Miss Bingley tries to impress him.

Chapter 11& 12

·         Mrs. Bennett does not want to send a carriage to pick up Jane and Elizabeth.

·         Elizabeth refuses to dance with Darcy and it drives him crazy. He begins to gain more feeling for him and Miss. Bingley become jealous of this.

·         Darcy wants Elizabeth to leave because he does not want to like her more; she is not suitable for marriage so he lets them borrow his coach.

Chapter 13-15

·         Mr. William Collins will be visiting to inherit Mr. Bennett’s property.  He was sent by Lady Catherine de Brough.

·         Bennett  live in Longbourn

·         Collins is looking for a wife; since Jane will be taken soon he looks to Elizabeth.

·         Mr. Denny-Lydia’s officer friend and Mr. Wickham are introduced.

·         Darcy and Bingley come for a visit and there is a tension between Darcy and Wickham.

Chapter 16-18

·         Wickham and Elizabeth talk about his life.

·         Wickham tells her that Darcy is very selfish with money and she believes it. 

·         Elizabeth tells Jane but she defends Darcy.

·         Wickham does not attend the ball and Elizabeth blames Darcy.

·         Darcy and Elizabeth still dance.

·         Miss Bingley tells her not to trust Wickham

Chapter 19-21

·         Mr. Collins propose to Elizabeth but denies it because she does not like him.

o   Her mother disapproves

o   Her father supports

·         Jane gets a letter from Miss Bingley stating that Bingley is to marry Darcy’s sister.

 

Chapter 22-26

·         Mr. Collins proposes to Charlotte and she accepts.

·         Mr. Bennett encourages Elizabeth’s liking to Wickham.

·         Their uncle comes to visit and invites Jane to London.

·         Elizabeth’s family thinks that Wickham is unsuitable as a husband because of his lack of money.

·         Wickham loves some other girl for her money, so this makes Elizabeth not like him.

Chapter 27-32

·         Elizabeth visits London then Charlotte.

·         She also see Lady de Bourgh’s sick daughter and finds out she is to marry Darcy.

·         Elizabeth encounters Darcy while she visits with Charlotte and Collins.

Chapter 33-36

·         Fitzwilliam tell Elizabeth that Darcy saved a close friend from a horrible marriage-Jane and Bingley’s.

·         Darcy confesses his love for but she denies and storms off.

·         They run into each other again and Darcy gives her a letter explaining his intentions in Jane, Bingley, and Wickham.

·         She is confused on her feelings of Darcy.

Chapter 37-42

·         Elizabeth and Jane return home.

·         Lydia goes to Brighton for the summer.

·         Elizabeth sees Wickham and they talk about Darcy.

·         Elizabeth goes to Derbyshire countryside with the Gardiners and they are close to Darcy’s home.

Chapter 43-46

·         As she tours Darcy’s Estate she wonders how it would have been if she accepted.

·         Darcy shows up and she meets his sister.

·         Elizabeth receives a letter from Jane explaining that Lydia ran away with Wickham to Europe.

·         Darcy comforts her.

Chapter 47-49

·         Everyone is hysterical about Lydia’s leaving.

·         When they are finally found. Wickham says he will marry Lydia for a small income. They agree.

Chapter 50-53

·         Elizabeth accepts her love for Darcy.

·         Lydia tells Elizabeth that Darcy attended their wedding.

·         Darcy paid for their wedding.

·         Bingely and Darcy pay a visit to the Bennetts.

 Chapter 54-61

·         Bingley proposes to Jane. Mr. Bennett gives his blessing.

·         Lady Catherin de Bourgh comes to visit Elizabeth and she leaves furious.

·         Darcy comes to live with Bingley.

·         Elizabeth and Darcy talk and she says she is willing to marry him.

·         Darcy asks for Mr. Bennetts blessing.

·         Elizabeth becomes friends with Georgiana.

·         Darcy and Elizabeth give credit to the Gardiners for bringing them together.

 

Summer Reading Notes: Poisonwood Bible


Poisonwood Bible

List of Characters

·         Nathan Price-Baptist Minister who wants to save souls through missionary work.

·         Orleanna Price-   Married Nathan at the age of 17.  She loses will power to stand up against her husband and his abuse until the death of Ruth May.  She leaves him along with two of her daughters.

·         Rachel Price- Self-centered and materialistic. She fakes a marriage with Eeben Axelroot until he flies her to South Africa.

·         Leah Price- Twins with Adah. She is smart and compassionate but she falls away from her religion and marries Anatole Ngemba and has three children Pascal, Patrice, and Nathan.

·         Adah Price- Twins with Leah She is crippled on the left side of her body and a mute since birth. She is healed and becomes a scientist.

·         Ruth May Price-She was friendly 5 year old who dies from a snake bite.

·         Eeben Axelroot- would not deliver mail to Price unless with a bribe. Had many fake engagements Rachel Price.

·         Anatole Ngemba- Translates sermons and is schoolteacher who marries Leah.

·         Nelson- Best friends to Anatole and works for the Price. In exchange he learns English and teaches them the customs of his culture.  

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

Narrators- Oreleanna, Rachel, Leah, Adah, Ruth May

Protagonist is Nathan because he is not able to tell his story in his own words or his point of view.

Story told in first person. Past tense with Oreleanna and present tense with Rachel, Leah, Adah, and Ruth May.

 Setting: 3o years from 1959-1998, Belgian Congo

            Other settings: Atlanta and Sanderling Island, Johannesburg, South Africa, and the French Congo

 

Major Conflict is guilt. From the death of Ruth May to the morals of Nathan Price and the leaving of Orleanna and her daughters.  Although Orleanna has the courage to leave her husband after Ruth May’s death she is burdened with guilt. Throughout the Books Nathan Price struggles with morals. He believes that in order to please God he must save the souls of others.