Vocab List #3: The Crucible & Catcher1. Terse (adj) - describes when someone speaks abruptly and rudely2. Calumny (n) - defamation; slander/libel; false accusations meant

to ruin someone3. Arbitrate (v) - mediate; negotiate; to act as an impartial judge in

order to settle a dispute4. Inculcate (v)- to convince someone of something through

frequent repetition and persistent urging; brainwash5. Blasphemy (n)- sinful act or remark6. Abomination (n)- something that causes great horror or disgust7. Contentious (adj)- argumentative8. Deposition (n)- the testimony of a witness 9. Deferential (adj) – extremely respectful to authority10. Prodigious (adj)- describes someone/something with great size

or power11. Imperceptible (adj)- barely noticeable; subtle; slight12. Effrontery (n)- extreme boldness, often without concern for the

opinion of others

 

Vocab Activity 3.1

Using all the words on List 3, write sentences that relate to literature from 9th or 10th grade English.

Suggestions: Of Mice and Men, To Kill a Mockingbird, Romeo & Juliet, Lord of the Flies, Antigone, 12 Angry Men, anything else you can think of.

Vocab Activity 3.2 (HW)Using all the words from List 2, complete one of the following creative options:

-A story about anything you want. (Suggestions: turtles, fast food, piñatas, small children)

-A letter of any kind: love, hate, break-up, complaint, resignation, etc.

-A song or a poem

-An article about a crime that was committed

Vocab List #3 Parts of Speech

1. Terse (adj) tersely (adv); terseness (n)2. Calumny (n) calumnious (adj); calumniously (adv)3. Arbitrate (v) arbitrator (n); arbiter (n); arbitration (n);

arbitrary (adj); arbitrarily (adv)4. Inculcate (v) inculcation (n)5. Blasphemy (n) blasphemous (adj); blasphemously (adv)6. Abomination (n) abominable (adj); abominably (adv);

abominate (v)7. Contentious (adj) contentiously (adv); contention (n);

contentiousness (n); contend (v)8. Deposition (n) depose (v)9. Deferential (adj) deferentially (adv); deference (n);

defer (v)10. Prodigious (adj) prodigiously (adv); prodigiousness (n);

prodigy (n)11. Imperceptible (adj) imperceptibly (adv); perception (n);

perceive (v)12. Effrontery (n)

 

Fast Food Piñatas It turns out that McDonald’s, in an act of pure effrontery, has been manufacturing piñatas filled with fast food. They have not made many – they are basically imperceptible in Party City, but now the word is spreading and they are quickly becoming prodigious. Why is this such a contentious topic? Well we all know the dangers of fast food. The idea that it is now being marketed in party supply stores seems blasphemous to many, even bordering on an abomination. The arbitrator for McDonald’s has tersely explained that the bad rap fast food has gotten in terms of lack of nutritional value is calumny, but depositions have given by health and advertising experts to prove otherwise. They have many statistics to prove that childhood obesity is in large part due to young Americans being inculcated to believe that fast food is fun and cool at a young age. Putting it in piñatas will only worsen the situation. McDonald’s needs to defer to the obvious evidence that will never go away – fast food is not good for you.

 

Vocab Activity 3.3

Using all the words from List 3, write sentences describing events in The Crucible or The Catcher in the Rye.

Vocab ReviewFor each question, write a sentence in response that uses the vocabulary word in the question.1. What is a situation where someone might be terse? 2.Why might someone commit calumny against someone else?3. What is a situation where an arbitrator might be needed?4. Name something the American public has been inculcated about at some point in history.5. What is something you consider to be blasphemy?6. Describe a scene that you would consider to be abominable.7. Why might someone become contentious toward someone else?8. Where might someone give a deposition?9. Why is it generally important to be deferential?10. Name someone or something that is prodigious nowadays.11. Describe a situation wherein you might attempt to be imperceptible.12. Name someone who has the quality of effrontery.