Vocabulary for Achievement
Fourth Course
(Sophomore Vocab Book)
Lesson 2 Test Definitions
1. Diligence—Constant and earnest effort to
accomplish a task
2. Fastidious—Difficult to please
3. Judicious—Having sound judgment; sensible
4. Selective—Careful in choosing; discriminating
5. Systematic—Having a system, method, or plan;
orderly
Lesson 2 Test Definitions cont.
6. Foresight—The ability to see what is likely to
happen and plan for it accordingly
7. Minutiae—Minor or trivial details
8. Punctilious—Attentive to the finer points of
etiquette and formal conduct
9. Prudent—Exercising caution or good judgment
in handling practical matters
10.Meticulous—Extremely careful and precise
1. Decorum—appropriateness of behavior or
conduct
2. Provincial—characteristic of people or
things away from the capitol of a country
3. Foolhardy—foolishly bold or daring; rash
4. Glib—performing or performed with
careless, often thoughtless, ease
5. Mores-the accepted customs and rules of
behavior of a social group
6. Demeanor—the way in which one
behaves; deportment
7. Unseemly—not in good taste; improper
8. Ignoble—dishonorable
9. Civility—courtesy; politeness
10.Beguile—to deceive; trick
Lesson 4 test definitions
1. Jetty—a pier or wharf
2. Reject—to refuse to accept something
3. Subjective—something that is described as
coming from thoughts or feelings rather
than from an outside source
4. Injection—the forcing of something, such as
a liquid, into something else
5. Abject—when someone is lacking in selfrespect or is contemptible
Lesson 4 test definitions cont.
6. Trajectory—the path taken by a moving
object through space
7. Objectionable—something that causes
disapproval or is offensive
8. Projectile—something that is shot, thrown,
or fired forward
9. Conjecture—the act of forming an opinion
from incomplete evidence
10.Dejected—someone who is depressed or
disheartened
Lesson 5 test definitions
1. Unequivocal—a response that leaves no
doubt or misunderstanding
2. Inevitable—something that cannot be
avoided
3. Indeterminate—something that is indefinite
or lacks clarity
4. Apprehensive—one who is anxious about
the future
5. Qualm—a sensation of doubt or misgiving
about a decision
Lesson 5 test definitions cont.
6. Dubious—a person who expresses doubt or
uncertainty
7. Categorical—approval that is without
exception or qualification
8. Conclusive—results that are decisive and
final
9. Vacillate—wavering indecisively between
two or more choices
10.Precarious—something dangerously lacking
security or stability
Lesson 6 test definitions
1. Assail—to attack physically or verbally
2. Bulwark—a defensive wall
3. Citadel—a fortress or stronghold
4. Fortitude—courage in the face of hardship
5. Haven—a place of rest or refuge
6. Invincible—unable to be defeated
7. Mettle—spirit; daring; pluck
8. Resilient—recovering spirits quickly
9. Stalwart—physically strong or sturdy
10.Stamina—endurance; staying power
Lesson 7 test definitions
1. Accredit—to recognize as having met official
standards, attribute to
2. Credence—acceptance as true of valid;
trustworthiness
3. Credential—something that entitles a person to
confidence, credit, or authority; written
evidence of a person’s qualifications
4. Credibility—the quality of deserving confidence;
readiness to believe
5. Creditable—deserving commendation;
praiseworthy
Lesson 7 test definitions
6. Credulous—tending to believe too readily;
gullible
7. Creed—a system of beliefs or principles that
guides a person’s actions
8. Discredit—to cast doubt on; disgrace
9. Incredible—too extraordinary to be possible;
astonishing
10.Miscreant—a person who behaves badly or
criminally; villain
Lesson 8 test definitions
1. Alacrity—speed and willingness in acting or
responding
2. Composure—control of one’s emotions
3. Ennui—listlessness from inactivity or lack of
interest
4. Imperturbable—someone who is not easily
disturbed or excited
5. Impetuous—someone who tends towards
suddenness and boldness of action
Lesson 8 test definitions
6. Incite—to provoke to action or to urge on
7. Indolent—someone who is reluctant to
exert himself or herself
8. Inert—something that lacks the power to
move or act
9. Pandemonium—a wild uproar or loud noise
10.Serenity—the quality of being unruffled or
untroubled
Lesson 9 test definitions
1. Brazen—a rudely bold or insolent person
2. Complaisant—someone who shows a
desire or willingness to please
3. Conspicuous—something that is easy to
notice or that attracts attention
4. Docile—an easily managed person
5. Flamboyant—something that is
exaggerated or showy
Lesson 9 test definitions
6. Intrepid—a courageous or fearless person
7. Pacific—a peaceful person
8. Reserved—someone who is quiet or
restrained in manner
9. Strident—to have a shrill, harsh, or grating
sound or effect
10.Unabashed—this type of person is not
easily embarrassed
Lesson 10 test definitions
1. Avert—to turn away; prevent from
happening
2. Diversify—to give variety to or vary
3. Diversion—something that relaxes or
entertains; the act of turning aside
4. Inadvertent—accidental or unintentional
5. Incontrovertible—indisputable;
unquestionable
Lesson 10 test definitions
6. Invert—to turn inside out or upside
down
7. Irreversible—not capable of being
reserved
8. Revert—to return to a former condition
or belief
9. Versatile—able to do many things well
10.Vertigo—a sensation of dizziness
Lesson 12 test definitions
1. Didactic—intended to teach
2. Edify—to instruct in order to improve
3. Elucidate—to make clear or plain
4. Erudite—possessing deep and
extensive learning
5. Explicit—expressed clearly and
precisely
Lesson 12 test definitions
6. Imbue—to pervade as if with a dye
7. Indoctrinate—to instruct in the
beliefs of a special group
8. Instill—to introduce gradually
9. Pedagogy—the art of teaching
10.Pedantic—marked by a concern for
minute details
Lesson 13 definitions
1. Concurrent—simultaneous
2. Courier—a messenger
3. Cursory—hasty; not thorough
4. Discursive—rambling; covering
many subjects
5. Incur—to bring something upon
oneself
Lesson 13 definitions
6. Incursion—an attack on or an
invasion of enemy territory; a raid
7. Precursor—someone or something
that precedes something else
8. Recourse—a turning to someone or
something for aid or support
9. Recurrent—occurring repeatedly
10.Succor –help in time of distress
Lesson 14 definitions
Test on THURSDAY
1. Acrimonious—bitter and ill-natured in
language or tone
2. Chastise—to punish for wrongdoing; criticize
severely
3. Derogatory—detracting from the character
or standing of; worthless
4. Disparage –to speak of as unimportant or
inferior; belittle
5. Harass—to irritate or torment persistently;
carry out repeat attacks
Lesson 14 definitions
Test on THURSDAY
6. Impugn—to criticize by argumentation; oppose
as false or worthless
7. Innuendo—a roundabout and often spiteful
reference to someone or something not
named; an insinuation
8. Invective—insulting words used to attack;
violent denunciation or abuse
9. Reprove—to scold or correct with kindly intent;
express disapproval of
10.Vilify—to utter slanderous and abusive
statements against; defame
Vocabulary Activity Assignment
(due end of class! + test on Friday!)
Please complete ONE of the following tasks:
• Create your own “Vocab Story” using all of
the words at least once.
• Create a list of Movie or Song Titles
using all of the vocab words at least once.
• Create a vocabulary Crossword Puzzle using
the definitions as your HINTS, but fill in the
boxes like a Key. (Note: NOT a word search!)