September 7: Journal #1

• The most important qualities I look for in a friend…

September 7: Vocabulary Energizer September 7: Vocabulary Energizer #1#1

• Chimerical (adj)

• Definition: given to wildly impossible plans

• Example: Many believed that the Wright brothers’ plan for an airplane and Robert Fulton’s idea for a steamboat were unrealistic ideas of chimerical dreamers.

• Synonyms: imaginary, fanciful, quixotic

September 10: Journal #2

• What I think it means to be brave and loyal…

• Someone I know who is brave and loyal…

Sept. 10: Vocabulary Energizer #2

Asinine (adj) Definition: stupid or silly Example: I lost my job when my supervisor

told me not to ask any more asinine questions and I asininely asked, “Why not?”

Synonyms: foolish, mindless, idiotic, ridiculous, absurd, inane

September 11: Vocabulary September 11: Vocabulary Energizer #3Energizer #3

• Bellwether (n)

• Definition: leader

• Example: Nashville,Tennessee, bellwether of country music, attracts a multitude of songwriters, singers, and musicians.

• Synonyms: pacesetter, pacemaker, vanguard

September 12: Journal #3

• Rikki Tikki Tavi is like a person because…

September 12: Vocabulary Energizer #4

Limbo (n) Definition: place or state of neglect;

period awaiting change; in-between state Example: I always feel that I am in limbo

when my telephone call is put on hold. Synonyms: neglect, transition, oblivion

September 13: Journal #4

• In the story “Rikki Tikki Tavi,” the character I believe represents the human character trait coward is…. because…

• The character I believe represents the character trait scatterbrained is…because..

September 13: Vocabulary Energizer #5

Plagiarize (v)Definition: use ideas or writings of

another and present them as one’s ownExample: Metaphorically, when we use

someone else’s work as our own or plagiarize, we are stealing that person’s brainchild or thought.

Synonyms: copy, steal, rob, purloin

September 14: Journal #5September 14: Journal #5

Respond to each of the following. If it Respond to each of the following. If it is a quote, tell what you think it is a quote, tell what you think it means.means. My most terrifying moment…My most terrifying moment… ““There is nothing to fear but fear itself…”There is nothing to fear but fear itself…” Explain what the following metaphor means. Explain what the following metaphor means.

What is it saying about the person being What is it saying about the person being described? “I am a Rock. I am an Island.”described? “I am a Rock. I am an Island.”

Sept. 14: Vocabulary Energizer Sept. 14: Vocabulary Energizer #6#6

► Titanic (adj)Titanic (adj)►DefinitionDefinition: enormous in size or : enormous in size or

strengthstrength►ExampleExample: Some athletes, stricken by : Some athletes, stricken by

accident or disease, make accident or disease, make titanictitanic efforts efforts to resume their careers and ultimately to resume their careers and ultimately become world champions.become world champions.

►SynonymsSynonyms: gigantic, huge, enormous, : gigantic, huge, enormous, prodigiousprodigious

Sept 17: Journal #6

• I am/am not afraid of rats because…

Sept 17: Vocabulary Energizer #7

Irony (n)Definition: expression that means the opposite of what is stated; event or result the opposite of what is expected.Example: An ironic remark might be “Just wonderful” in answer to a question about how was your day– a day you ran out of gas in a thunderstorm, discovered that you had lost your wallet as you went to pay for lunch, and came home to find your new furniture torn apart by the children’s puppy. Synonyms: contradiction, mockery, sarcasm

Sept 18: Journal # 7

• If I could be anywhere but here…

Sept. 18: Vocabulary Energizer #8Sept. 18: Vocabulary Energizer #8

Effete (adj)Effete (adj) DefinitionDefinition: worn-out, unproductive, : worn-out, unproductive,

barrenbarren ExampleExample: Those who don’t : Those who don’t

understand art forms often label understand art forms often label abstract or modern art as abstract or modern art as effeteeffete..

SynonymsSynonyms: unproductive, : unproductive, exhausted, feeble, decadent.exhausted, feeble, decadent.

Sept 19: Journal #8

• My favorite movie villain…

Sept 19: Vocabulary Energizer #9Sept 19: Vocabulary Energizer #9

Hyperbole (n)Hyperbole (n) DefinitionDefinition: obviously extravagant statement or : obviously extravagant statement or

assertionassertion ExampleExample: Hollywood escape films often : Hollywood escape films often

confront the hero with confront the hero with hyperbolichyperbolic, exaggerated , exaggerated villains who fiendishly construct some villains who fiendishly construct some devilishly evil, diabolic plan.devilishly evil, diabolic plan.

SynonymsSynonyms: embellishment, amplification: embellishment, amplification

Sept. 20: Journal #9

• Someone I really trust…

Sept. 20: Vocabulary Energizer #10

• Diabolic (adj)• Definition: outrageously wicked; cruel; devilish• Example: Diabolically, the devil uses the literal

truth to deceive according to the phrase, “the devil can cite Scripture for his purpose” (from Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice).

• Synonyms: fiendish, demonic, satanic, infernal