Unit 2: Short Stories

Big Question Vocabulary

Name______Hour ______Date______

The Big Question: Can progress be made without conflict?

In your textbook, you learned words that are useful for talking about conflict, the struggle between opposing forces. Life is full of conflict, and so are stories, novels, movies, TV shows, sports, and games.

DIRECTIONS: Review the following definitions of words you can use when talking about conflict.

compromise: an agreement reached by each party giving something up or adjusting its

expectations; meeting in the middle

contradictory: logically opposite

deference: respectful and courteous willingness to give in to another’s will or opinion

negotiate: to bargain with another in order to reach an agreement

change: to make different

dissonance: disagreement, particularly in the sense of a loud argument

Replace each underlined word or phrase with a vocabulary word from the list above that has a similar meaning.

1. In order to reach an agreement, the two groups had to bargain for hours and alter their demands several times.

A. Agreement: ______

B. Bargain: ______

C. Alter: ______

2. People were shouting angrily at each other, and those contributing to the loud disagreement were making logically opposite statements and refusing to reach an agreement.

A. Loud Disagreement: ______

B. Logically Opposite: ______

C. Reach an Agreement: ______

3. I always show respect for my grandparents by doing what they ask.

A. Respect: ______

4. Showing respect for another person’s opinions is one way to end a conflict and open a discussion that might help to end the disagreement.

A. Discussion ______

B. Disagreement: ______

Big Question Vocabulary

The Big Question: Can progress be made without conflict?

DIRECTIONS: Review the following definitions of words you can use when talking about conflict.

strategy: a plan for achieving a specific goal

evolve: to grow, change, or develop in some way

tumultuous: disorderly, noisy, emotional, turbulent

war/battle: armed conflict or fighting

treaty: a written agreement between combatants to end fighting

motive: reason for doing something

Now, complete the graphic organizer below by filling in a synonym and an antonym for each vocabulary word.

Word / Synonym / Antonym
strategy
evolve
tumultuous
battle
treaty
motive


Big Question Vocabulary

The Big Question: Can progress be made without conflict?

DIRECTIONS: Review the following definitions of words you can use when talking about conflict.

neutrality: an unwillingness to take sides in a conflict

struggle: n. a difficult situation in which a person must make a great effort; v. to make

a great effort in a difficult situation

adversity: challenging circumstances

radical: extreme or drastic

aggression: offensive action or attack; starting a conflict

resolution: the solution of a problem; the ending of a conflict

Now, read each sentence and use the context clues and the definitions above to help you rewrite the definition of each underlined word in your own words in full sentences.

Sentence / Definition in Your Own Words
1. You can count on Mina’s neutrality since
she never takes sides in her friends’ arguments.
2. The protagonist in the movie I saw last
night had to struggle against the forces
of evil to save the world.
3. Everyone faces adversity at some point
in their lives and must find a way to
overcome such challenges.
4. A politician should not take radical
positions on many issues because he or
she must try to appeal to most voters.
5. The dictator’s aggression caused the
leaders of neighboring countries to
increase their armies.
6. The resolution of our argument over the
music player came when we agreed to
take turns with it during the car trip.

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Grade 10, Unit 2