Vocabulary Unit 8
English 11 GP
Preview Vocabulary
 Pg. 75-76
 Write brief definitions based on the sentence in the
vocabulary book.
 Write these definitions on the back of your study guide.
 Raise your hand when finished so I can check your work.
Vocabulary Preview
1. The new student was quickly able to assimilate into the
class and make many friends.
2. The tightly-knit clique of tenth grade students rarely
allowed outsiders into their small friendship circle.
3. Pete didn’t have enough money to buy the car he
wanted, so he had to finance it through the bank.
4. The Greek myth about Prometheus is meant to explain
why early humans did not have fire.
5. Hailey’s phobia of spiders makes her sweat and shake
from fear.
Vocabulary Preview
6. Any rational person would think about the dangers
involved in skydiving before trying it.
7. The junkyard is filled with unwanted refuse, but you can
find some useable items in there if you look hard enough.
8. The shrill sound of the fire alarm startled the students and
teachers.
9. During the graduation ceremony Jack remained staid,
but everyone else was jumping and cheering with
excitement.
10. Karen sent her mother an urgent message asking for
help right away.
1. assimilate
A region or society where assimilation is occurring is
sometimes referred to as a "melting pot."
1. assimilate
 POS- verb
 Definition- to take on the
culture of a group; to
absorb into a group; to
make similar
 Synonym- absorb, digest
 Antonym- rejected,
shunned, spurned
2. clique
2. clique
 POS- noun
 Definition- an exclusive
group
 Synonym- club, set, circle
 Antonym- loner, individualist
3. finance
The young entrepreneur needed to raise 10,000 dollars to
finance his business venture.
3. finance
 POS- verb
 Definition- provide money for
 POS- noun
 Definition- the study,
science, or industry dealing
with money
 Synonym- fund, bankroll
 Antonym- defund, disendow
4. myth
Myth Busters try to determine if something is a fact or a
fiction.
4. myth
 POS- noun
 Definition- a fictional story
written to explain a natural
event; a legend
 Synonym- fable, legend
 Antonym- facts, truths
Myth Busters try to determine is something is a
fact or a fiction.
5. phobia
5. phobia
 POS- noun
 Definition- an ongoing fear
 Synonym- fear
6. rational
This would be an example of not thinking rationally.
6. rational
 POS- adjective
 Definition- sensible;
reasonable; sane
 Synonym- intelligent,
reasonable
 Antonym- absurd, ridiculous
This would be an example of not thinking
rationally.
7. refuse
After the storm, the beach was littered with refuse that
needed to be cleaned up.
7. refuse
 POS- noun
 Definition- trash; waste
 Synonym- trash, garbage,
waste
 POS- verb
 Definition- to decline or be
unwilling to do something
8. shrill
The singer’s voice was very shrill, causing everyone to cover
their ears.
8. shrill
 POS- adjective
 Definition- harsh; highpitched; loud
 Synonym- howl, screech
 Antonym- low, quiet
9. staid
George Washington always appeared staid to instill
confidence in his troops.
9. staid
 POS- adjective
 Definition- poised, dignified;
calm
 Synonym- earnest, grave
 Antonym- frantic, confused
George Washington always appeared staid to
instill confidence in his troops.
10. urgent
I had to answer an urgent phone call from my mother even
though it interrupted class.
10. urgent
 POS- adjective
 Definition- very important;
needing immediate
attention
 Synonym- pressing,
important
 Antonym- noncritical
Roots, Prefixes, Suffixes
 Roots
 simil – “same” (ex. assimilate, dissimilar, similar,
simile)
 ratio – “reason” (rational, irrational, inspiration)
 Prefixes
 in – “not” (incapable, indecisive)
 dis – “not” (dissimilar, dislike, disagree)
 Suffix
 al- “having the characteristics of” (rational)
a. shrill
b. staid
c. assimilate
d. myth
e. phobias
1. The woman let out a ______ scream when she saw the
mouse run across the kitchen floor.
2. One of the most common ________ is the fear of
spiders.
3. Immigrants tend to ________ the ideas and beliefs of a
new culture.
4. The speaker appeared ______ amidst the controversial
debate.
5. It is a _____ that a watermelon will grow inside your
stomach if you eat a watermelon seed.
a. rational
b. cliques
c. urgent
d. finance
e. refuse
1. There are many ________ that form in high school, like
jocks, skaters, and musicians.
2. Ava received an _______ notice that she must pay her
credit card bill as soon as possible.
3. In order to go to college, Jaxson will have to _______ his
loans through a bank.
4. The young man resolved the conflict calmly through
_______ thinking.
5. The job offer was so lucrative that the college graduate
could not _______ the position.
Homework
 Due Wednesday!
 Exercise 2, 3, 6
 10 sentences
 Flashcards- BONUS