Flowers for Algernon -- Short Story — Vocabulary
Daniel Keyes
(Edited)

Story sample Uses ACT/SAT
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techniqueway of doing something
Dr. Strauss said that someday thousands of neurosurgeons might be using his technique all over the world.p.11.64 more
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She developed a new surgical technique that shortens recovery time.more
Show general definition a way of doing something; or the methods used to do it well
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deterioratedeteriorate → deteriorating:getting worse
Now my mind is deteriorating rapidly.p.19.14 more
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The situation could quickly deteriorate.more
become worse
Show general definition become worse
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functionnatural activity
Yet for the sake of science, I am grateful for the little bit that I here add to the knowledge of the function of the human mind and of the laws governing the artificial increase of human intelligence.p.17.51 more
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The function of the lens of the eye is to focus light on the retina.more
job or purpose
Show general definition for function (as in: Its main function is to...) purpose, job, or natural activity
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consciousconscious → consciousness:mental activity of which one is aware
I just looked up the word in the dictionary Dr Strauss gave me. The word is subconscious. adj. of the nature of mental operations yet not present in consciousness; as, subconscious conflict of desires.p.6.23 more
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In that kind of situation, there's no time for conscious thought. You just have to react instinctively.more
mental activity of which one is self-aware
Show general definition for conscious (as in: the conscious mind) mental activity of which one is self-aware
3
subconsciousmental activity of which one is not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior
He says its the same thing and I have two minds. Theres the subconscious and the conscious (thats how you spell it) and one dont tell the other one what its doing. They dont even talk to each other.p.6.12 more
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In the experiment, the image flashed too quickly to be seen consciously, but it impacted the subconscious.more
mental activity of which we are not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior
Show general definition mental activity of which one is not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior; or the part of the mind that engages in such activity
Show editor's word notes Though commonly used in daily conversation, the word subconscious is not used clinically. Where the layperson says subconscious, psychologists are likely to say unconscious mind.
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impairimpair → impaired:less effective
Motor activity is impaired; there is a general reduction of glandular activity; there is an accelerated loss of co-ordination.p.17.91 more
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Alcohol impairs the ability to drive safely.more
impair → impairs:makes worse
Show general definition make worse or less effective
2
amnesialoss of memory
There are also strong indications of progressive amnesia.p.17.91 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The movie is about a woman who suffers amnesia and doesn't even remember her husband.more
Show general definition loss of memory (partial or total)
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postscriptpostscript → P.S.:an abbreviation for "postscript" that is placed at the end of a letter (after the signature) to indicate that an additional note follows
And P.S. please tell Dr Nemur not to be such a grouch when pepul Iaff at him and he woud have more frends.p.22.71 more
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PS:  Bob just walked through and says hello.more
Show general definition a note added to the end of a letter after the signature -- usually preceded with "PS:" or "P.S."

or:

any written or spoken addition added after the end of something
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motivationdesire to do things
...Algernon is changing. He is less co-operative; he refuses to run the maze any more; general motivation has decreased. And he hasn't been eating.p.16.5
Show context notes Motivation is also used a few times in a misspelled form, motor-vation, in Charlie's progress reports. He records the doctors liking his strong motivation, and he records Algernon having cheese as a motivation.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
A generous commission structure provides motivation to our salespeople.more
reason for doing something
Show general definition the reason for doing something; or the level of desire to do something
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obscurehide
...and the more sensational aspects of my own rapid climb cannot obscure the fact that the tripling of intelligence by the surgical technique developed by Drs. Strauss and Nemur must be viewed as having little or no practical applicability (at the present time) to the increase of human intelligence.p.17.8
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The stars are obscured by the clouds.more
obscure → obscured:hidden or made less visible
Show general definition for obscure (as in: it obscured my view) to block from view or make less visible or understandable
Show editor's word notes Although this meaning of obscure typically refers to seeing or understanding, it can also refer to situation where something makes something else harder to detect or as when a noise makes another noise difficult to hear. Similarly it can reference something overshadowing something else, as in "Her memory of her dog's death was obscured by her brother's death the next day."
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tangibleeasily understood
I suspect that Dr. Nemur, who is sixty--ten years older than Dr. Strauss--finds it necessary to see tangible results of his work.p.13.7
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
They set tangible goals.more
clear (easily understood and measured)
Show general definition capable of being touched, or easily understood so there is no question of its value or reality
1
illiterateilliterate → illiteracy:inability to write well
I have often reread my progress reports and seen the illiteracy, the childish naïveté, the mind of low intelligence peering from a dark room, through the keyhole, at the dazzling light outside.p.15.8
Show context notes In this case, he could put some words in writing, but he was not able to write well.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She is functionally illiterate, so she will need help filling out the employment application.more
unable to read or write
Show general definition unable to read or write (not literate)

or:

uninformed in a particular field or general subject area
Show editor's word notes Note that "functional illiteracy" means that although one may be able to read or write a little, their ability is inadequate for normal requirements in their society.
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contrary toin opposition to
Contrary to my earlier impressions of him, I realize that Dr. Nemur is not at all a genius.p.13.7
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
Contrary to popular belief, the largest pyramid is in Mexico--not Egypt.more
Show general definition for contrary to (as in: contrary to) in opposition to
Show editor's word notes You could also think of this as meaning, despite, or in spite of, or in conflict with; but since a common meaning of contrary is opposite, you many find it easiest to think of contrary to as in opposition to.
2
regressregress → regressed:returned to a former (less advanced) state
As I review the records and data on Algernon, I see that although he is still in his physical infancy, he has regressed mentally.p.17.91 more
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The drug caused tumors to regress in 60% of the patients who were treated.more
Show general definition for regress (as in: regressed instead of progressed) to go backward or return to an earlier, less advanced state
1
plateaua time of little change after more rapid change
She said I reached a plateau.p.8.5
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She projects that the world's population will plateau at about ten billion people.more
reach a period of little change after more rapid change
Show general definition for plateau (as in: reached a plateau in our growth) a time of little change after more rapid change -- typically to stop increasing
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laboratorylaboratory → lab:workplace for scientific or medical research
I have been given a lab of my own and permission to go ahead with the research.p.16.96 more
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We've had success in the laboratory, but are a long way from treating patients.more
a workplace where people do scientific or medical research
Show general definition a workplace where people do scientific or medical research, or produce drugs or chemicals

or (as an adjective): related to such a place
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indicateindicate → indications:things that suggest or demonstrate
However, by all indications, my own mental deterioration will be very rapid.p.18.31 more
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These maps are drawn with north to the top unless otherwise indicated.more
indicate → indicated:pointed out (shown)
Show general definition to show (point out, demonstrate, express, or suggest)
Show editor's word notes The form, indicator can refer to many different kinds of things including intentional signals (such as a turn indicator), gauges (such as one that indicates pressure), or a measurement (such as an economic or chemical indicator).
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acquirecome into possession of
What's wrong with a man becoming intelligent and wanting to acquire knowledge and understanding of the world around him?p.13.11 more
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Children acquire language at an amazing rate.more
obtain (get)
Show general definition obtain (come into the possession of something)
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thereforefor that reason
He wants people to take him for a genius. Therefore, it is important for him to feel that his work is accepted by the world.p.13.8
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
Kim is taller than Ashley. Ashley is taller than Anna. Therefore, Kim is taller than Anna.more
Show general definition for that reason (what follows is so because of what was just said)
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despisedespise → despised:strongly disliked and looked down upon
Before, they laughed at me and despised me for my ignorance and dullness; now, they hate me for my knowledge and understanding.p.13.3
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She despises the people he works for.more
despise → despises:dislikes strongly and looks down upon
Show general definition to dislike strongly and to look down upon with disrespect