Name: ________________________________________

Pre-Advanced Placement English
Date: ____________

VOCABULARY WORDS: WEEK 2
Using characterization
, cartoons, comic or picture, use each of the following words in the boxes provided.

 

1.  RECLUSE  (re CLOOS):  hermitlike; withdrawn from society.

Jennifer's grandfather has always been a recluse, never leaving the house and never receiving visitors.


 

 

 

 

 

2.  AMBIGUOUS (am BIG you us):  unclear in meaning; confusing

Pablo's directions to his house were very ambiguous, so I got lost.

 

 

 

 

3.  EXPLICIT (ex PLISS it):  clearly and directly expressed

I wish his directions had been more explicit; then I wouldn't have been 30 minutes late. 

 

 

 

 

 

4.  SYCOPHANT  (SICK ah fant):  one who tries to gather favor by flattering rich and

important people.

Someone who tells me that I am the best teacher he or she has ever had is probably a sycophant, trying to win my favor.

 

 

 

 

5.  OBFUSCATE (OB feh skate):  to darken; to confuse

Too much alcohol had obfuscated Barney's sense of direction and he lumbered around in circles. 

 

 

 

 

 

6.  FORBEAR (fore BEAR): to refrain from; to abstain

Michael told me I could become a millionaire if I helped him rob a bank, but I had to forbear from doing that, because the idea made me very nervous. 

 

 

 

 

 

7.  MENDICANT (MEN d' kant):  a beggar

Unless you get your goals in front of you and work hard, you might end up as a mendicant living under bridges in Portland. 

 

 

 

 

 

8.  CHASM  (KAZ 'm):  a deep gaping hole; a gorge

The Grand Canyon is a wonderful example of a famous chasm.

 

 

 

 

 

9.  IMPETUOUS (im PET you us):  impulsive; extremely impatient

My best friend is a very impetuous person by nature; she rushes in without thinking things out. 

 

 

 

 

 

10.  PRECIPITATE (pre SIP ih tate):  to cause to happen abruptly

The man precipitated the chain reaction accident with his horrible driving.