Vocabulary Unit 5
Themes in American Literature
Ms. Robbins – M117
vocabulary words and parts of speech: / definitions: / synonyms: / antonyms:benevolent (adj) / kindly / caring / unkind
affability (n) / friendliness; cordiality / sociability / indifference
callous (adj) / cruel and unfeeling / toughened / tender
concordance (n) / agreement / unity / disagreement
embellish (v) / decorate / emblaze / disfigure
finagle (v) / wheedle; wangle; trick / manipulate / clarify
insightful (adj) / perceptive / observant / unaware
mar (v) / spoil; ruin / damage / fix
meager (adj) / small; scanty / spare / large
motley (adj) / varied; miscellaneous / mixed / similar
preclude (v) / prevent / inhibit / support
sporadic (adj) / intermittent; on and off / scarce / constant
supplant (v) / replace; displace / remove / include
voluminous (adj) / large; bulky; extensive / massive / tiny
cryptic (adj) / hidden / strange / clear
derivative (adj) / unoriginal / secondary / original
dispassionate (adj) / unbiased; fair / serene / excited
explicitly (adv) / very clear; nothing hidden / absolutely / doubtfully
idiosyncratic (adj) / quirky; unique to an individual / peculiar / atypical
ostentatious (adj) / showy / extravagant / simplistic
Instructions for your vocabulary:
1. Read through your 20 words, the definitions, the synonyms and antonyms.
2. You will use 15 words for this assignment. You will complete 15 vocabulary pictures. Include the following items in each box:
a. a sentence using the word; the sentence must be creative and include context clues to help illustrate the word’s meaning
b. underline the word in each sentence
c. color the picture
d. write one additional synonym for each vocabulary word
e. write one additional antonym for each vocabulary word
f. each picture must have a minimum of three elements
g. In the last box, write your complete and correct heading.