Name Andy Guio Morejon
Class
3
Vocabulary for The Social Contract
Activity 1: Words In Context
Directions: Use context clues to determine the meaning of each of your new vocabulary words. Write
your best guess at the definition in the right-hand column.
Word
In Context from Anchor Texts
To be aware (usually followed of)
Cognizant
Moreover, I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all
communities and states. I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta
and not be concerned about what happens in
Birmingham.
The
Disenfranchisement
Now, in view of this entire disenfranchisement of onehalf the people of this country, their social and
religious degradation, — in view of the unjust laws
above mentioned, and because women do feel
themselves aggrieved, oppressed, and fraudulently
deprived of their most sacred rights, we insist that
they have immediate admission to all the rights and
privileges which belong to them as citizens of these
United States.
Estrangement
Is not segregation an existential expression of man’s
tragic separation, his awful estrangement, his terrible
sinfulness?
Impunity
He has made her, morally, an irresponsible being, as
she can commit many crimes with impunity, provided
they be done in the presence of her husband.
Unit 3: The Social Contract
Possible Definition
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Ominous
[Y]ou seek to explain to your six year old daughter why
she can’t go to the public amusement park that has
just been advertised on television, and see tears
welling up in her eyes when she is told that Funtown is
closed to colored children, and see ominous clouds of
inferiority beginning to form in her little mental sky…
Paradoxical
Since we so diligently urge people to obey the
Supreme Court’s decision of 1954 outlawing
segregation in the public schools, at first glance it may
seem rather paradoxical for us consciously to break
laws.
Plurality
The only way to erect such a Common Power, as may
be able to defend them, … is, to confer all their power
and strength upon one man, or upon one assembly of
men, that may reduce all their wills, by plurality of
voices, unto one will.
Prerogative
He has usurped the prerogative of Jehovah himself,
claiming it as his right to assign for her a sphere of
action, when that belongs to her conscience and her
God.
Retaliation
We began a series of workshops on nonviolence, and
we repeatedly asked ourselves: “Are you able to
accept blows without retaliating?”
Unit 3: The Social Contract
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Transgress
Unit 3: The Social Contract
Unjust laws exist: shall we be content to obey them, or
shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them
until we have succeeded, or shall we transgress them
at once?
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Activity 2: Use Your Resources
Directions: Use one or more dictionaries to determine the definition of each word that best matches its
use in the text (as seen in Activity 1). Write the definitions in the right-hand column.
Word
Dictionary Definition
Cognizant
Disenfranchisement
Estrangement
Impunity
Ominous
Paradoxical
Plurality
Prerogative
Retaliation
Unit 3: The Social Contract
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Transgress
Activity 3: Application of Vocabulary
Directions: With a partner, discuss each question for 1-2 minutes.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Are teens you know cognizant of their addiction to social media? Explain.
Have you ever felt disenfranchised by an authority figure? Give an example.
Do you believe that estranged friends can ever reconcile? Why or why not?
Think back to a time when someone behaved with impunity. How did it make you feel?
Do you enjoy movies or shows with an ominous tone? Why?
Think of a character in a movie or book whose behavior was paradoxical. Explain your choice.
Describe a time when you had to go against a decision or idea held by a plurality of people. What did this teach
you?
Should it only be the prerogative of school administrators to make important decisions for a school? Explain.
Do you think it’s justified to retaliate against a serious transgression? Explain why.
Activity 4: Writing about Literature
Directions: Use each of your vocabulary words in a sentence about the unit texts. Make sure that your
sentence demonstrates your understanding of both the vocabulary word’s meaning and the unit texts.
1. Cognizant
2. Disenfranchisement
3. Estrangement
4. Impunity
Unit 3: The Social Contract
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5. Ominous
6. Paradoxical
7. Plurality
8. Prerogative
9. Retaliation
10. Transgress
Unit 3: The Social Contract
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Activity 5: Shades of Meaning
Directions: Each of your vocabulary words is listed below with a word that is similar — but not exactly
the same! — in meaning. Determine how the meanings of the two words differ, and write your answer
in the right-hand column. An example answer has been provided in the first row.
Vocabulary Word
Synonym
How the Meanings Differ
Repulsive
Unappealing
Both words describe something negative or unwanted, but repulsive is a
much stronger word; it implies that something is really disgusting.
Cognizant
Apprehensive
Disenfranchise
Delegitimize
Estrangement
Separation
Impunity
Immunity
Ominous
Suggestive
Paradoxical
Contradictory
Plurality
Group
Prerogative
Reward
Retaliation
Punishment
Transgress
Disobey
Unit 3: The Social Contract
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Activity 6: OPTIONAL EXTENSION: Vocabulary in Conversation
Directions: Have a conversation via text message with a partner using all of the vocabulary words. Be
sure your conversation provides enough context to demonstrate your understanding of each word.
Follow your teacher's directions for submitting your text conversation.
Unit 3: The Social Contract
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