Unit 2 Vocabulary

Question 1

Recalcitrant

Answer 1

Adjective

Stubbornly refusing to obey rules or orders.

Example: He pulled his backpack in front and tugged on the zipper. “This thing always get stuck,” he said. Simon worked on the recalcitrant zipper. He edged closer to the desk and yanked hard.

Synonyms: insubordinate, defiant

Question 2

Supposition

Answer 2

Noun
An idea or theory that one believes is true, an uncertain truth.

Example: The rabble had been buzzing with their guesses and suppositions. There were betting pools with odds rising and falling.

Synonyms: Hypothesis, theory

Question 3

Clamorous

Answer 3

Adjective
Marked by loud and insistent cries, full of noise

Example: He whirled and bowed to clamorous applause.

Synonyms: Vociferous, Squawking

Question 4

Abashed

Answer 4

Adjective

Embarrassed or Ashamed

Example: Simon pulled Blair upright. Both blushed crimson. Simon appeared abashed and embarrassed now that the mask was off.

Synonym: mortified

Question 5

Despondent

Answer 5

Adjective
Very sad and without hope.

Example: “If you don’t kiss me, I shall become terribly despondent and fling myself into the nearest body of water”

Synonyms: desperate, forlorn, hopeless
Collocation: often used with “over” or “about” (despondent over losing her job, despondent about his illness)

Question 6

Concur

Answer 6

Verb

To agree with someone or something

Example: We cheered. “For once, I concur.”

Collocation: often used with “with” (concur with the decision)

Question 7

Barrage

Answer 7

Noun
A great amount of something that comes quickly and continuously.

Example: After that, it was barrage of cruelty…. Lance couldn’t appear anywhere without catcalls and crude jokes.

Collocation: used with “of”
Synonyms: bombardment, flood

Question 8

Ingrained

Answer 8

Adjective
Being a part of the innermost nature of a being, existing for a long time and very difficult to change.
Example: We took Glass to the Department of Motor Vehicles for his written exam. We shoved him in front of us until he reached the counter, where an emaciated man with thick trifocals eyed us with ingrained adult suspicion.

Synonyms: innate, built-in

Question 9

Plod

Answer 9

Verb
To walk slowly with heavy steps, to progress or develop slowly.

Example: Ronna led her away, whispering encouragement as Alice plodded zombielike alongside.

Synonym: trudge

Question 10

Ostentatious

Answer 10

Adjective
Excessively showy, displaying wealthy knowledge etc. in a way that is meant to attract attention, admiration, or jealousy.

Example: I hurried down the shining oak stairs, over the elegant, but never ostentatious, Oriental rug, and out the door.

Synonyms: Snobbish, pompous, flashy