ENHS 103 Academic Reading and Vocabulary I
Reading Explorer 1
Chapter 1: Amazing Animals
The following vocabulary words can be defined in different ways, but these are the ways they are defined in
your textbook. The list is only a definition guide. Use a dictionary to find other definitions and synonyms for
these words. Share and discuss them with your teacher and classmates.
#
Word
1 advantage
2 intelligent
POS
Definition
Reading A
n A thing that helps you to be better or more successful than
other people.
Synonyms
benefit
smart, clever,
brilliant
3 alike
adj Good at learning, understanding and thinking in a logical way
about things; revealing or reflecting good judgment or sound
thought
adj In a very similar way
4 method
n A particular way of doing something
approach
5 assist
v To help somebody do something
6 whistle
n A high-pitched sound made by blowing air through a hole.
help
support
aid
signal
7 communicate
v To share or exchange information, news, ideas, feelings,
etc. with others.
talk, speak
8 special
9 feelings
adj Not ordinary or usual; different from what is normal
n Something that you feel through the mind or through the
senses
exceptional
emotions
10 system
n
An organized set of ideas or theories or a particular way of
doing something
adj To describe something that can be done or achieved
n An informal talk involving a small group of people or only
two; the activity of talking between two beings
n A small group of sea animals, such as dolphins or whales,
swimming together
method
14 signal
n A movement or sound that you make to give somebody
information, instructions, a warning, etc.
indication
15 escape
v To get away from a place where you have been kept as a
prisoner or not allowed to leave
flee
11 possible
12 conversation
13 pods
16 ability
17 muscle
Chapter 1
Reading B
n The fact that somebody/something is able to do something
similar
feasible
discussion,
dialog
capability
n A piece of body tissue that you make tight and relax in order
to move a particular part of the body
Page 1 of 2
Trimester 1, 2024
18 appearance
n The way that somebody/something looks on the outside;
what somebody/something seems to be
look
19 pattern
n as in design; the way in which the elements of something are
arranged
n A living thing, real or imaginary, that can move around, such
as an animal
design
20 creature
living being
21 produce
v To make things, to grow, or make something as part of a
natural process
make
22 develop
v To gradually grow or become bigger, more advanced,
stronger, etc.
grow, improve
23 shape
n The form of the outer edges or surfaces of something; an
example of something that has a particular form
figure
24 hide
v To put or keep somebody/something in a place where they/it
cannot be seen or found
conceal
25 survive
26 disguise
v To continue to live or exist
v To change your appearance so that people cannot recognize
you
Outlive
mask
27 master
n humans or other beings that are very good at doing
something
n Is the smallest living part of an animal or plant. Most animals
have billions of cells in their bodies.
expert
28 cell
29 chromatophore(s) n A cell of an animal that can cause integumentary color
changes by expanding or contracting
30 pigment
n Is a substance that gives something color. For example, green
pigment makes most plants look green.
32 texture
33 predators
n Is how something looks and feels (ex., soft, smooth)
n An animal that kills and eats other animals
color
tint
feel
These definitions were taken from National Geographic Reading Explorer 1, third edition, the
Merriam Webster Dictionary at (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary), and Oxford
Learner's Dictionaries at (https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english). Look
up more definitions yourself by clicking on the link.
This list will be used to test your vocabulary learning in assessments (quizzes, midterms and finals).
Vocabulary words may be used as defined in list or based on other dictionary definitions or parts of speech.
Chapter 1
Page 2 of 2
Trimester 1, 2024