Friday, November 8, 2013

THE BOOK THIEF - MARCUS ZUSAK - NOVEL - VOCABULARY

Vocabulary Study Sheet
The Book Thief
Markus Zusak
(cover the right side of the sheet to quiz yourself)
alleviate
alleviate the pain
to lessen something that is bad -- especially to lessen pain
amiable
She seemed an ideal candidate--attractive, amiable, intelligent and energetic.
friendly and kindly
audacious
It was an audacious act of piracy.
bold and daring (inclined to take risks) -- especially in violating social convention in a manner that could offend others
castigate
She praises and castigates without hesitation.
to criticize severely
contempt -- as in: feels contempt towards him
Familiarity breeds contempt.
lack of respect -- often accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike or disgust
daunt
a challenge that would daunt a lesser diplomat
to discourage or intimidate
deride
Critics derided her as unprofessional.
laugh at or make fun of--while showing a lack of respect
deter
Tax uncertainty deters investment.
try to prevent; or prevent
disdain
She tries to be polite, but cannot hide her disdain for authority.
a lack of respect -- often suggesting distaste and an undeserved sense of superiority

or:

to reject as not good enough
diverse
The college wants a diverse student body.
varied (different) -- especially with regard to ideas or members of a population group
dubious
She was dubious about agreeing to come with us.
doubtful; or suspicious; or full of uncertainty
eccentric
The home was built and then abandoned by an eccentricbillionaire.
unconventional or strange; or a person with such traits
emulate
It wasn`t just that she copied her older sister`s hairstyle. She tried to emulate her in every way.
imitate (copy)
futile
futile effort doomed form the start
effort that is pointless because it is unproductive or unsuccessful
Hitler -- as in: Adolf Hitler
Hitler killed disabled children as his first action of "racial hygiene." He pretended to end the program when the public protested.
German Nazi dictator during World War II; murdered millions of Jews and others who were not of the Aryan race (1889-1945)
immutable
immutable laws of physics
not subject or susceptible to change
incessant
a child`s incessant questions
continuous -- often in an annoying way
indulgent
indulgent parents risk spoiling their children
treat with extra kindness or tolerance

or:

enjoy excessively
inevitable
It is as inevitable as death and taxes.
certain to happen (even if one tried to prevent it)
innate
She has an innate musical talent that cannot be taught.
of a quality: present at birth; or arising from within rather than having been learned or acquired
innocuous
She made some innocuous comments while being careful not to hurt anyone`s feelings.
unlikely to harm or disturb
irony -- as in: situational irony
the irony of acting like the father he detested
when what happens is very different than what might be expected -- especially when amusing or an entertaining coincidence
irony -- as in: verbal irony
She was being ironic when she said she couldn`t wait to see you again.
saying or writing one thing, while meaning the opposite or something else -- usually as humor or sarcasm
Judaism
Jerusalem is a holy city for Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
the oldest of the three major monotheistic religions -- having its spiritual and ethical principles embodied chiefly in the Torah and in the Talmud
morose
She drank alone in the corner, looking morose.
unhappy -- often with a withdrawn personality
Nazi
There are still racists who call themselves Nazis today.
a member of the National Socialist German Workers` Party -- typically in reference to the fanatical party during Adolph Hitler`s reign who thought they were superior to all others

or more rarely:

derogatory term for a person who is fanatical in their belief of superiority and their determination to control others
prudent
She was promoted to manager because she is so prudent.
sensible and careful
scrutiny
She scrutinized her reflection in the mirror.
careful examination of something
stoic
She suffered quietly, courageously, with a stoic acceptance of her illness.
seeming unaffected by pleasure, pain, or emotions
trepidation
She began her first day at the new school with sometrepidation.
fear or anxiety about what will happen

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