English III HonorsVocabulary Lesson 3

September 14, 2009

Vocabulary Lesson 31. pedestrian (adj.): ordinary or dull

HINT: To be a pedestrian is pedestrian since most people can walk.

2. bona fide (adj.): in good faith HINT: Bueno=good; fidelity=faithfulness

3. adventitious (adj.): accidental ; nonessentialHINT: Some adventures are not planned, but adventitious.

4. fecund (adj.) fertile, productiveHINT:

5. deviate (v.) to turn aside from a course; to strayHINT:

Vocabulary Lesson 36. obfuscate (v.): to confuse; to bewilder

HINT: confuse7. impale (v.): to pierce with a sharp stake through the body

HINT: If you impale someone, they will become pale and cease to exist.

8. extenuate (v.): to lessen seriousness by providing partial excuses HINT: extend; extension

9. parochial (adj.): local ; narrow; limitedHINT: Parochial parishes contain limited religious views

10. glower (v.): to stare angrilyHINT: Ouch! That woman glowered at me when she saw that

I was the owner of the car that hit her brand new Mercedes.

Vocabulary Lesson 311. edify (v.): to improve someone morally

HINT: educate; rectify12. ambiguous (adj.): open to more than one

interpretation HINT:

13. cataclysm (n.): a violent changeHINT:

14. optimum (adj.) best; most favorable; idealHINT: optima; optimal

15. importune (v.) to begHINT: important; tune

Extra Words!16. quiescence (n.): state of being at rest

HINT:17. truncate (v.): to shorten; cut the top off

HINT:18. disinclination (n.): reluctance; unwillingness to do

somethingHINT:

19. prodigal (adj.): wasteful; reckless with moneyHINT: prodigal son

20. incite (v.) to prompt into actionHINT: if someone is insightful about saving the environment, they might incite others to recycle and purchase “green products.”

SAT Writing PromptPlan and write a 3-5 paragraph essay based on the

following statement:Passing judgment on nontraditional families seems to be

customary for what Barbara Kingsolver calls the “Family of Dolls,” the traditional Barbie and Ken household that has never been disassembled by divorce. The ever-ambiguous “family values” suggests that traditional families offer the most stability for children, nurturing them in a community of successful relationships from which they can model their own lives. Divorced people, gay families, Brady Bunch families, and single parents put their children at risk and are failures.

• Adapted from “Stone Soup” by Barbara Kingsolver (Vocabulary Power Plus Book 3 p. 20)

SAT Writing Questions to ConsiderQuestions to consider:What is the Barbie and Ken household? Is it

realistic, idealistic, or unrealistic?Do you agree or disagree with Barbara Kingsolver’s

views that “traditional families” are better than “nontraditional families?

What is your thesis statement? (Example: Nontraditional families can be as successful or in some case more successful in creating a positive environment for children.)

What are some examples that support your argument?