Word Lists for English II
Mrs. Gillespie
To Kill A Mockingbird
Consider mnemonics to aid your retention of these new terms!
Vocabulary List 1
1. Assuage (v) to ease, to make milder or less severe; relieve; mitigate
2. Dictum (n) an authoritative pronouncement; judicial assertion; a saying
3. Taciturn (adj.) speaking very little; not fond of talking
4. Quaint (adj) having an old-fashioned attractiveness or charm; oddly picturesque
5. Predilection (n) a tendency to think favorably of something in particular; partiality; preference
6. Domicile (n) a place of residence; abode; house or home; (v) to establish a home
7. Diminutive (adj) small; little; tiny
8. Fractious(adj) unruly
9. Auspicious( adj) promising success; opportune
10. Benevolence (n) kindness, generosity, charity
11. Hone (v) to sharpen; to make more effective
12. Caricature (n) a portrayal where features are distorted, a parody
13. Inordinate (adj.) excessive, unusually indulgent.
14. Innate (adj) existing from birth; inborn
15. Guileless (adj) without deceit
Vocabulary List 2
1. Rudiments (n) essential elements or skills; the early stages of development
2. Melancholy (n) depression of the spirits (adj) depressed
3. Rectitude (n) state of moral integrity
4. Tranquil (adj) peaceful, serene
5. Propensity (n) preference; natural inclination
6. Frivolous (adj) lacking seriousness or importance
7. Formidable (adj) menacing or intimidating; causing fear or awe
8. Oblique (adj) evasive, indirect, or misleading
9. Edification (n) instruction
10. Infallible (adj) incapable of error
11. Placid (adj) calm, peaceful
12. Ominous (adj) threatening
13. Succinct (adj) brief, compact
14. Acquiescence (n) compliance; giving in
15. Morbid (adj) suggesting an unhealthy mental state or attitude; unwholesomely gloomy, sensitive, extreme, etc.
Vocabulary List 3
1. Elucidate (v) to make clear; to explain.
2. Unobtrusive (adj) not readily noticeable, inconspicuous
3. Turbulent (adj) being in a state of agitation or tumult; disturbed
4. Corroboration (n) confirmation, verification
5. Acrimonious (adj.) sharp or bitter in language or temper.
6. Complacent (adj.) pleased with oneself; (too) self-satisfied.
7. Impudent (adj) characterized by improper or bold behavior
8. Unmitigated (adj) not made less severe or intense
9. Furtive (adj) secret in an underhanded way, stealthy
10. Sordid (adj) filthy, foul
11. Drone (v.) speaking in a monotonous tone; a continuous low humming sound
12. Recluse (n) a person who lives in solitude; a hermit
13. Enunciate (v.) to pronounce clearly
14. Savor (v) to perceive by taste or smell, esp. with relish; to give oneself to the enjoyment of
15. Lament (v.) to mourn or express sorrow in a demonstrative manner
To Kill A Mockingbird Vocabulary Practice List 1
Write your answers on another sheet of paper!
Part I. Complete the sentence with the appropriate vocabulary word. (Each word will only be used once.)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
The strange little house in the woods was actually rather _______; it reminded Tom of his childhood home.
Nuns are required to take vows of poverty, chastity, and charity, which is why they are reputed for their ______.
Michael Jordan spent five hours practicing ever day in order to _____ his basketball skills.
While the orchestra teacher had many favorite composers, he had a particular _______ for Bach.
The _____ building was either a shed or part of Santa’s workshop; it was too small for anything else!
Charles had a(n) ____ curiosity about astronomy; he had been fascinated by the stars ever since he could remember.
Family Guy and other satirical cartoons often use _______ to mock celebrities and make them stand out.
In tough times like the Great Depression, people were fortunate to have a(n) _______; many people lived in cardboard
shacks or tents in places called “Hoovervilles.”
Alex was rather __________, so she rarely raised her hand and felt uncomfortable when the teacher called on her.
The judge’s ________ allowed for the two to communicate by phone, but he was still ordered to remain at least 50
yards away from her at all times.
Unsurprisingly, the __________ students started a food fight despite warnings from the principal.
Because the Academy Award Ceremony is a(n) _____ occasion, celebrities want to look their best (in case they win).
For a small person, Jess can eat a(n) ______ amount of pizza—an entire double extra large pizza!
Because the student was known for being honest, the teacher assumed his version of the story was _______.
After her father died, she thought she would never recover and that nothing could ______ her grief.
Part II. Identify the word root that belongs with each word and write how the root and definition of the word are related.
Ex. 16. Predilection pre a preference for something implies you put it before other things
17. Dictum
22. Auspicious
18. Taciturn
23. Benevolence
19. Domicile
24. Inordinate
20. Diminutive
25. Innate
21. Fractious
26. Guileless
Root
Meaning
Similar Words
pre
earlier, before, in front of
prepare. preamble
auspices
favorable sign or circumstance
auspiciously
nat
born
natural, neonatal
dic/dict
speak
dictionary
domin
master
dominate
in
in, into
innovation
bene
good/well
benefit
min/mini
small, less
minuscule
in/ig/im/il/ir
not, without
illegal; impossible; inappropriate; irresponsible
guile
cunning/deceit
beguile
tacit
quiet/implied
tacitly
fract, frag
break
fracture; fragile; fragment or fraction
Part III. Select the best synonym for each of the words below.
27. Dictum
28. Taciturn
29. Quaint
30. Predilection
31. Auspicious
32. Benevolent
33. Honed
34. Inordinately
35. Innate
36. Guilelessness
37. Assuage
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
Favorable
Alleviate
Kind
Polished
Instinctive
Extremely
Command
Partiality
Quiet
Charming
Honesty
Part IV. Answer each of the following questions in complete sentences using the vocabulary word in a meaningful way .
38. Do you believe people are innately good? Why or why not?
39. How should fractious students be dealt with?
40. When it comes to candy, what is your predilection?
To Kill A Mockingbird Vocabulary Practice List 2
Write your answers on another sheet of paper!
Part I. Complete the sentence with the appropriate vocabulary word. (Each word will only be used once.)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
The strange little house in the woods was actually rather _______; it reminded Tom of his childhood home.
She saw a(n) _______ bank of dark clouds and knew a storm was brewing.
After Dad lost his job, he fell into a state of _______ and could barely get out of bed.
Connie seemed to have a(n) _____fascination with television shows that feature surgeries gone wrong.
Because he was not good at the _______ of English, he had trouble with the more difficult research paper.
When the preacher’s _____ was questioned, many left the congregation, having lost trust in his goodness.
Weather in New England is famous for changing quickly from ________ to turbulent.
The retired boxer was a _________ opponent in his time and still intimidated many with his size.
Because her comments were ____ and to the point, the ceremony was brief.
The wilderness is usually a(n) _______ place where one can relax.
I have a(n) _______ for rising early, which is problematic since my wife prefers to sleep late.
Because of the suspect’s ______ answers, our interrogation of him led us in the wrong direction.
Since everyone makes mistakes, no one is truly ______.
Although some students resented having to limit their time in the coffee shop, it was the museum tour—not the
coffee—that was for their ______.
15. While off-topic discussions can be interesting, the teacher is obligated to limit _____ discussions in the classroom.
Part II. Identify the word root that belongs with each word and write how the root and definition of the word are related; use
previous word roots to help you in your definition.
Ex. 16. Infallible fall if you are not (in) able to be wrong
17. Rudiments
18. Placid
23. Formidable
19. Melancholy
24. Rectitude
20. Oblique
25. Morbid
21. Acquiescence
26. Edification
22. Propensity
27. Ominous
Root
Meaning
Similar Words
melan/melo
black
melanoma, melodrama
mor, mort
mortal, death
mortality, mortician, mortuary
ob, op
in the way, against
object, obscure, oppose
pro
for, forward
promote, project
fall, fals
deceive, wrong
fallacy, falsify, fallacious
fort, forc, for
strong
fort, fortify, fortitude, force
plac, plais
please
placebo, placate
quies, quiet, quit
rest, quiet, calm, silent
acquit
reg, recti
straighten
regular, rectify, correct
edif
to build, to erect a building
edifice
omen
foreboding
omens
rudi/rud
rough, unformed, ignorant
crude
Part III. Select the best synonym for each of the words below.
28. Rudiments
29. Placid
30. Melancholy
31. Frivolous
32. Oblique
33. Morbid
34. Rectitude
35. Ominous
36. Succinct
37. Infallible
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
Decency
Concise
Tranquil
Foundations
Silly
Direct
Perfect
Menacing
Sadness
Morose
Part IV. Answer each of the following questions in complete sentences using the vocabulary word in a meaningful way .
38. What are the rudimentary skills that everyone should learn in school? Why?
39. How can you ensure tranquility in your study space?
40. Why should you acquiesce to the principal’s demands?
To Kill A Mockingbird Vocabulary Practice List 3
Write your answers on another sheet of paper!
Part I. Complete the sentence with the appropriate vocabulary word. (Each word will only be used once.)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Howard Hughes (the subject of the film The Aviator) was a famous _______; he often refused to leave his house!
The _______ details of the brutal ax murder sickened the jurors.
During the test, he made some _____ glances at other classmate’s papers.
The student’s ______ act of using profanity toward Mrs. Dove caused him to be suspended.
She ________ed the death of her father and wore black for an entire week.
My mother is a fantastic baker, so when she makes apple cake, I make sure to ______ it.
A hurricane is perhaps the most ______ weather event, since it disturbs both land and sea.
The witness exhibited the most _____ contempt in the courtroom; his hatred for the judge was apparent to all.
I will try to _____ some of the important changes in the tax code so you can understand.
Fortunately, I had some _____ for my whereabouts on the night of the crime.
Please ____ your response so that everyone can hear you!
I do not understand how people can be _____ when the problems of this country grow greater each day.
The prisoner of war had ____ remarks for those that mistreated him.
I could hardly endure the constant ____ of the (rather monotone) speaker’s voice.
Charlene claimed Tim was bothering her, but he seems very _____ sitting in the corner.
Part II. Identify the word root that belongs with each word and write how the root and definition of the word are related; use
previous word roots to help you in your definition.
16. Ex. Unobtrusive un to not be in the way (ob) or intrude
17. Elucidate
21. Enunciate
18. Corroboration
22. Complacent
19. Turbulent
23. Unmitigated
20. Acrimonious
24. Recluse
Root
Meaning
Similar Words
un
not,opposite of, lacking
unfair, unfriendly
luc
light
lucid; translucent
acer, acid, acri
bitter, sour, sharp
acerbic, acidity, acrid, acrimony
clud, clus, claus
shut
include, claustrophobia, exclusive
co/com
with, together, joint
collaborates; coeducation; combine
robor, robust
to strengthen, to invigorate
robustly
nounc, nunci, nunti
message; make known
announce
turb, turbin, turbo
uproar, confusion; whirl, whirlwind
turbine
miti
make mild or gentle
mitigator, timid
Part III. Select the best synonym for each of the words below.
25. Elucidate
26. Turbulent
27. Corroboration
28. Lament
29. Savor
30. Complacent
31. Impudent
32. Unobtrusive
33. Sordid
34. Furtive
35. Recluse
36. Drone
37. Acrimonious
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
Dirty
Support
Low Profile
Clarify
Hostile
Self-satisfied
Disrespectful
Enjoy
Grieve
Murmur
Chaotic
Sneaky
Loner
Part IV. Answer each of the following questions in complete sentences using the vocabulary word in a meaningful way .
38. Why are many celebrities seemingly reclusive?
39. What would cause turbulence in the school? Why?
40. Why do police ask if there is anyone to corroborate a witness’s story?