Canterbury Tales Rage

Vocabulary words for 12/6/11 Quiz

disparity: n—containing fundamentally different and often incongruous elements
Noticeable disparity exists between his potential and his performance.

efficacy: n—the power to produce an effectJustin used his charm with great efficacy, persuading many customers to buy cars.

impetus: n—a driving force
Many good students have a strong impetus behind them: their parents.

moribund: adj—being in the state of dying
The home phone line is undeniably moribund.

reticent: adj—inclined to be silent or uncommunicative in speech
The class was surprised when the normally reticent student engaged her friend in a heated argument.

vacillate: v—to waver in mind, will, or feeling; to hesitate in choice
Many college students vacillate before they choose a major.

akin: adj—essentially similar, related, or compatible
Jessica’s taste in furniture is akin to my own taste.

corroborate: v—to support with evidence or authority; to make more certainThe second witness corroborated the account of the first witness, making the police confident.

inexorable: adj—not to be persuaded, moved, or stopped
My father, once he made a final decision, showed his inexorable resolve.

insipid: adj—lacking taste or savorThe restaurant’s insipid food quickly forced the owners into bankruptcy.

FYI: Essay Contest

I just received information about The Robert J. Stuckey Essay Contest. First prize is $1500, second prize $750. Only one entry may be submitted from each school, so you would submit your essay to a selection committee here at Francis Howell, and it would then be determined which essay would advance.

Rumor has it that only 56 entries total across the state were submitted last year, so that's much better odds than many of the other essay and scholarship contests I've come across recently!

More information can be found here, and the guidance office has applications. Please let me know if this is something you wish to pursue.

Why Socialists Don't believe in Fun-- George Orwell

Lit Circle "The Color Purple"

I just finished the book earlier today, and I have to say I'm pleased with the ending. At first, I didn't really think it would end well, especially when I thought Nettie died and Shug left Celie. I'm really glad that they all ended up together. However, there is still discrimination against more than just the black people in the society. Alice Walker gives us a different insight on discrimination, black versus black. I found it so surprising that the black people were fighting for their rights, yet they were still racist against each other. I don't see how they didn't understand that until they changed, they wouldn't see change outside of their African American community. Overall though, I enjoyed the book.

CHEEZBURGER

So Mrs. Linneman didn't follow through. So I am, so we all don't die tomorrow.

Vocab Words

So Mrs. Linneman didn't follow through. ;) So I am, do we all don't die tomorrow. :)

akimbo

adj

set in a bent position

lassitude

n

a condition of weariness or debility

licentious

adj

lacking legal or moral restraints, especially disregarding sexual restraints

muse

v

to become absorbed in thought

pecuniary

adj

of or relating to money

presumptuous

adj

overstepping due bounds

subvert

v

to overturn or over throw from the foundation

vacuous

adj

marked by lack of ideas or intelligence

avocation

n

customary employment; a subordinate occupation pursued in addition to one's vocation especially for enjoyment

capricious

adj

impulsive, unpredictable