Speak Vocabulary Lists
List 1
1. Fascist (n) follower of a political philosophy which glorifies one race unified by a dictator
2. Thespian (n) an actor
3. Rival (adj) competing
4. Faction (n) a group action together; clique
5. Testament (n) evidence; demonstration
6. Suburbia (n) the ideals, people, and customs common to those living adjacent to a city
7. Inconspicuous (adj) not readily noticeable
8. Demented (adj) mad; insane
9. Errant (adj) astray; wayward
10. Wake (n) a track left behind
Speak Vocabulary List 1
Practice- Fill in the blanks with the appropriate vocabulary words based on the context clues provided in each sentence; each word will only be used once.
1. Teenagers often use the word ______as an insult to those in control, even though they aren’t real (repeat word) like Hitler and Mussolini, who want one person in control of the state.
2. Her high grades were a ______to all the hard work completed during the semester.
3. The pitcher’s ______throw hit the player in the dugout square in the head!
4. Jon thought that if he didn’t make eye contact with the teacher, he would become ______and the teacher wouldn’t call on him.
5. ______gangs will shoot at each other if they think their territory is being encroached upon by their enemies.
6. The dispute amongst team members led to the creation of two _____s, with each group on opposite sides of the issue.
7. The boat’s foamy _____ showed where it had traveled from.
8. Serial killers like Hannibal Lecter (who ate his victims) must be truly ______.
9. Martha Stewart, domestic guru, is sometimes thought to be the epitome of______(living outside New York).
10. While fun to watch on screen, many doubted that Brad Pitt was a true _____ until he was nominated for an Oscar.
Speak Vocabulary Lists
List 2
1. Pseudo (adj) not genuine; false; pretend
2. Incite (v) to arouse action
3. Mayhem (n) willful and unlawful crippling, mutilation, or disfigurement of another person
4. Flounder (v) to struggle to move or obtain footing
5. Patron(n) a wealthy or influential supporter, benefactor, or sponsor
6. Rant (v) to talk loudly and wildly; to scold violently
7. Interrogation (n) formally and systematically questioning one for information
8. Gelatinous (adj) resembling gelatin or jelly
9. Mope (v) to become dull, dejected, listless
10. Patriarch (n) a man revered as a father or founder (leader)
Speak Vocabulary List 2
Practice- Fill in the blanks with the appropriate vocabulary words based on the context clues provided in each sentence; each word will only be used once.
1. Astrology is a(n) ______science; the stars can’t really predict the future.
2. The terrorists use murder and _____to keep people scared and under control.
3. Rush Limbaugh and other conservative political pundits _____ daily about the corruption of the Democrats.
4. After being grounded for a month, Tina could only _____ around her room.
5. For hundreds of years, the king was the _____ of England.
6. The ______of the arts gave money to the art museum.
7. The beached dolphin continued to ______, trying to move back toward the ocean.
8. After weeks in a hot car, the corpse was so rotten that it had become ______.
9. Shouting fire in a crowded theater will ______a panic or stampede.
10. The police brought in the suspect for a(n) ______.
Speak Vocabulary Lists
List 3
1. Refurbish (v) to brighten or freshen up
2. Spastic (adj) marked by involuntary, sudden, violent, yet temporary muscle contractions
3. Sputter (v) to utter words hastily or explosively in excitement or confusion
4. Mortuary (n) a place where dead bodies are kept until burial
5. Xenophobia (n) fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers (or that which is foreign)
6. Eloquent (adj) speaking with ease and force
7. Confectioner (n) a maker or dealer of sweets and candies
8. Subjectivity (n) a state of perception which arises from within one’s self or mind, usually in contrast to what is outside and not personal (the opposite of objectivity)
9. Gut (v) to destroy the inside of
10. Anthropologist (n) a scientist who studies humans and their origin, development, and culture
Speak Vocabulary List 3
Practice- Fill in the blanks with the appropriate vocabulary words based on the context clues provided in each sentence; each word will only be used once.
1. The old couch didn’t need to be thrown away; once______, it would be good as new.
2. Reggie’s dancing was so bad that it looked as if he were _____, jerking and lunging around the dance floor.
3. Mark was so angered by his opponent’s accusations that when it came time for a response, he could only ____a retort.
4. People who tell immigrants to “go back to where they came from” often do so because of ______; they object to the presence of newcomers only because their differences make the natives uncomfortable.
5. Barack Obama and JFK were both known for their _____ speeches.
6. The police sent the murder victim to the _____ after he was identified.
7. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is all about a reclusive ______and how he changes the life of a special young man.
8. Often what is “fair” and “unfair” is determined using ______instead of objectivity, since people are biased toward their own best interests.
9. After discovering fossils and tools in an ancient burial site, the archeologist called in a(n) ______to help him understand what the items might have been used for.
10. After I caught the trout, I had to ___ it, removing the insides so it would be ready to eat.