Vocab quiz #19

ENGLISH                    quiz #19  on May 25, 2017   

word	part of speech	Sentence	definition
astray	adj.	Jazzy’s mom was concerned that her older friends would lead her astray, since they could legally drive, drink, and buy cigarettes.	Away from the correct path
impetuous	adj.	Impetuously, Sheila asked Rob to the dance. He was surprised (and so was she).	Acting without thinking of the consequences
juxtapose	verb	After 9/11, there was a huge increase in the number of tattoos that juxtaposed the Twin Towers with a crying eagle.	To place side by side for the purposes of comparison or contrast
martyr	noun	The crowd chanted, “We will always remember the martyrs of the Revolution!” as the Shah’s forces moved in.	Someone who dies for their beliefs
tact	noun	Latoya tactfully suggested that Diana might look better in a  different dress “because it would emphasize your beautiful hair.”	A keen sense of what to do or say in order to maintain good relations with others or avoid offense

Vocab quiz #18

ENGLISH                    quiz #18  on May 18, 2017   

word	part of speech	Sentence	definition
obligatory	adj.	Language classes are obligatory in high school.	Something that you have to do; required
banter	noun or verb	Sammi and Reggie bantered over text messages for weeks before they finally went out for a date.	A playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks
levity	noun	Frank brought some levity to the boring business meeting by putting a whoopee cushion on his boss’ chair.	Humor, a lighthearted approach to a situation
fractious	adj.	The fractious couple was always waking up their neighbors with their loud fights.	Tending to be troublesome; irritable
woo	verb	Charlie spent the week meeting with potential investors, trying to woo them into giving him money for his octopus recipe app.	To try to gain the love or support of someone

Vocab quiz #17

ENGLISH                    quiz #17  on May 4, 2017    

word	part of speech	Sentence	definition
dearth	noun	The city was suffering from a dearth of doctors, so they began to recruit doctors from other countries.	A lack of something, a scarcity
vacuous	adj.	Kim Kardashian was trying to change her vacuous image in the media by going back to school	Empty of ideas or intelligence
gentrification	noun	Dozens of New York neighborhoods have been transformed by gentrification over the past decade.	The process of renovating urban areas by means of the influx of wealthier residents
edict	noun	An Indonesian women’s group issued an edict prohibiting child marriage in their community.	An official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority
upend	verb	The discovery of 130,000-year-old bones upended our previous theories of when humans came to America.	Turn something on its end or upside down

VOCAB QUIZ WORDS FOR 4/20/2017

ENGLISH                    quiz #16  on Apr.20, 2017   

word	part of speech	Sentence	definition
loathsome	adj.	Jenny’s loathsome boyfriend treated her poorly and stole money from her purse. He also smelled terrible.	Causing extreme disgust
lament	verb	On the bus home, the team lamented the loss of the championship.	A passionate expression of grief or sorrow; to mourn
angst	noun	Some people spend their high-school years consumed by angst and unable to be happy.	An unfocused feeling of anxiety or dread about the state of the world in general
plunder	verb or noun	Blackbeard the pirate roamed the seas, plundering coastal villages.	To steal things violently during a war or other civil disorder
diaspora	noun	In college, Robert studied the literature of the African diaspora.	A population scattered from its original homeland

WORDS FOR QUIZ ON MARCH 30 2017

ENGLISH                    quiz #15  on Mar.30, 2017   

word	part of speech	Sentence	definition
ominous	adj.	The ominous dark clouds on the horizon suggested that our picnic was going to come to an unpleasant end.	Indicating that danger or evil is about to occur
accost	verb	The politician accosted me on the street and shoved pamphlets about his campaign into my hand.	To approach and speak to in a challenging or aggressive manner
misogyny	noun	Sheila couldn’t stand misogynistic lyrics about mistreating women.	One who hates or distrusts women
ostracize	verb	After Charlie’s misbehavior caused the entire school to lose outside lunch for a month, he was ostracized by the whole student body.	Exclude a person from a group
discord	noun	The experimental Japanese noise band produced harsh, discordant music that very few people could appreciate.	A lack of agreement or harmony

Vocab quiz #14

ENGLISH                    quiz #14  on Mar.16, 2017   

word	part of speech	Sentence	definition
cynical	adj.	Gerry watched a social worker helping a homeless man up. “She’s probably getting paid a lot of money to do that,” he said cynically.	Believing that all people are motivated only by self-interest
amiable	adj.	The bodega down the street has an amiable cat who always rubs up against my leg.	Friendly; displaying a friendly manner
implicit	adj.	As Chuck walked in, his mother handed him some deodorant, implicitly telling him he smelled.	Implied, not openly stated
notion	noun	Bebe rejected the notion that the world was round. “I don’t see a curve,” she said.	A concept or belief about something
influx	noun	As wars raged around the world, the US prepared for an influx of refugees.	An arrival of a large number of things

Vocab quiz #13

ENGLISH                    quiz #13  on Mar.9, 2017    

word	part of speech	Sentence	definition
accrete	verb	All through the storm, snow accreted on the roof until finally it caved in.	Gradually build up or accumulate
sinuous	adj.	The snake crawled sinuously up the tree, ready to feast on a monkey.	Having many curves; winding gracefully
indolent	adj.	Furio’s indolence was incredible: he would crouch under the back porch for hours so his mom couldn’t find him and give him chores.	Always trying to avoid work; lazy
grotesque	adj.	On Halloween, Jamie liked to run around wearing the most grotesque mask he could find and scare little kids.	Odd or unnatural; bizarre and ugly
prestige	noun	Because of her deep involvement in several clubs and great grades, Gilly got into a very prestigious university.	Widespread respect or recognition given to someone

Works Cited for research essay on gentrification

Arnade, Chris. "In Brooklyn, gentrification wipes out pigeons and chickens to make room for cats and dogs." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 28 Sept. 2014. Web. 15 Mar. 2017.

Cortright, Joe. "In Defense of Gentrification." The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 31 Oct. 2015. Web. 15 Mar. 2017.

Oh, Inae. "Spike Lee's Incredible Gentrification 'Rant' Is Backed By Solid Facts." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 26 Feb. 2014. Web. 15 Mar. 2017.

"What is Gentrification?" PBS. Public Broadcasting Service, 17 Jan. 2003. Web. 15 Mar. 2017.


When a poor neighborhood attracts higher income residents. "How gentrification may benefit the poor." CNNMoney. Cable News Network, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2017.

Vocab quiz #12

ENGLISH                    quiz #12  on Mar.2, 2017   

word	part of speech	Sentence	definition
morbid	adj.	Federico’s morbid curiosity made him stare at the dead body while the rest of the class looked away.	Characterized by gloomy feelings; gruesome
contempt	noun	After her husband cheated on her, Greta couldn’t keep the contempt out of her voice every time she spoke to him.	Disregard or disrespect towards something considered worthless
expenditure	noun	Trying to save money, Jake started to keep track of every expenditure in a little notebook.	The act of spending money; money spent
skew	verb	Because Marisa had been rich her whole life, she had a skewed view of reality and couldn’t understand why everybody just couldn’t have their maid drive them to school.	Bend to the side, off-center
lunacy	noun	Greg announced that he was going to jump his motorcycle over ten flaming cars. “That’s lunacy!” I said.	Insanity; the state of being a lunatic