The Last Song — Vocabulary
Nicholas Sparks
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	5	top 100
passagea short part of a longer written work Each passage below is followed by a number of questions.more Show sample from book Her dad continued to study his Bible, and sometimes he'd read a passage or verse aloud at her request.4 more Show general definition for passage (as in: In lines 1-9 of the passage...) a short part of a longer written work Show editor's word notes This meaning of passage is commonly seen on standardized tests like the SAT and ACT.
	8	top 2000
alcoverecessed (pushing outward from the main room) It is a beautiful room with an alcove window.more Show sample from book The piano was located in a small alcove off the small living room...7 more recessed (partly enclosed and pushing outward from the main room) Show general definition a recessed or secluded space -- such as in a room or garden Show editor's word notes The alcove of a room is a smaller room attached to a larger room and separated by an arch or other architectural feature other than a door.
	5	top 200
skepticaldoubtful I am skeptical about her plan.more Show sample from book She didn't bother to hide her skepticism.4 more skeptical → skepticism:doubt (that something is true) Show general definition doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile) or more rarely: generally tending to doubt what others believe
	5	top 500
exasperatedgreatly annoyed She was exasperated by his teasing.more Show sample from book ...she was less angry at him than exasperated by his persistence.4 more Show general definition greatly annoyed
	5	top 1000
intricatecomplicated -- having many complexly arranged elements She came up with an intricate plan.more Show sample from book I just didn't realize your dad had the ability to make something so intricate.†4 more
	11	top 2000
directwithout intervention from anything (in this case, not sun that is partially blocked or reflected) This flower does best in direct sunlight.more Show sample from book Directly ahead lay a huge, sun-filled open room, and beyond that, she saw the sparkling waters of the Intracoastal Waterway.21 more direct → directly:close Show general definition for direct (as in: directly above; or buy direct) without anything in between -- whether in time, space, or involvement
	4	top 100
direct#2straightforward I left them with direct instructions.more Show sample from book And in his own indirect way, he never let Will forget what he'd done for him and his family that horrible day when Mikey died.21 more direct → indirect:not straightforward (not clearly stated) Show context notes The prefix "in-" in indirect means not and reverses the meaning of direct. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure. Show general definition for direct (as in: gave a direct answer) straightforward -- often clear, open, or blunt in speech or behavior
	7	top 100
direct#3instruct On the SAT test, some questions direct you to look at an underlined or numbered portion of a passage.more Show sample from book He went on, "And then this morning, after you left, I went straight to the director of the aquarium and spoke to him in person."21 more direct → director:supervisor (person in charge) Show context notes The suffix "-or" often converts a verb to a noun that means "a person who." This is the pattern you see in words like actor, editor, and visitor. Show general definition for direct (as in: direct a question; or direct a film) to guide, aim, or manage -- such as actions, attention, speech, a project or company
	3	top 200
conflictstruggle Violent conflict has broken out again in the Middle East.more Show sample from book They didn't argue and avoided conflict as a rule.†2 more struggle or disagreement Show general definition a struggle or disagreement in various senses, including: a serious disagreement -- as in "political conflict" the tension from two opposing ideas or feelings -- as in "I'm conflicted about where I should go to college." a violent fight or war -- as in "the Israeli-Palestinian conflict" an idiom that refers to tension between responsibilities to different entities -- "conflict of interest"
	2	top 10
implyimply → implied:hinted or suggested She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.more Show sample from book Visiting implied a weekend or two, maybe even a week.†1 more imply → implied:suggested (said indirectly) Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
	3	top 200
tentativetentative → tentatively:in a careful way (indicating a lack of confidence) The puppy approached us tentatively until it knew we wouldn't harm it.more Show sample from book When he spoke, his voice was at once tentative and urgent.2 more careful or unsure Show general definition for tentative (as in: said it tentatively) done in a careful or unsure way (indicating a lack of confidence in exactly what will happen)
	5	top 2000
paralysisloss of the ability to move She suffers paralysis of her legs.more Show sample from book The sight of Marcus suddenly being driven to the ground seemed to paralyze them,4 more paralysis → paralyze:make unable to move Show general definition loss of the ability to move the body or a part of it or: inability to act or make a decision
	1	top 100
highlightemphasize (call attention to) The main purpose of this passage is to highlight the degree of income inequality.more Show sample from book Like Kayla, she had at least half a dozen piercings in each ear, highlighted with a couple of miniature skulls that dangled from her earlobes, and her dark eye shadow and eyeliner gave her an almost feral appearance.2 more highlight → highlighted:emphasized (calling attention to) Show general definition for highlight (as in: highlight the main findings) emphasize (call attention to something)
	2
highlight#2highlight → highlights:best parts Did you watch the video highlights?more Show sample from book That, she supposed, was the highlight of her career.2 more best part Show general definition for highlight (as in: highlights of the year) something that stands out
	3
vagrantvagrant → vagrants:people who lack a home, job, and money She says the American hobo has nearly died out and that today's developed world is hard on vagrants in general.more Show sample from book Then I'll have to arrest you on vagrancy charges, and have your dad bring you home.†2 more vagrant → vagrancy:someone who is poor and has no regular home or job Show general definition someone who is poor and has no regular home or job
	2	top 2000
consternationdismay (unhappiness and worry) Much to the consternation of Congress, raising the tax decreased tax collections as manufacturers moved to other countries.more Show sample from book Scott frowned in consternation.†1 more dismay (unhappiness, worry, and often confusion) Show general definition dismay (unhappiness, worry, and often confusion) -- typically over something unexpected
	2
concertoconcerto → concertos:music written for orchestra and one (or more) solo instruments Concertos have been written for all instruments, but most are written for violin, cello, or piano because those instruments provide such a wide, dynamic and expressive range.more Show sample from book He chose the concerto that Ronnie had played at her performance at Carnegie Hall, and closing his eyes, he concentrated.†1 more
	2
congregategather together The planned demonstration never materialized because a heavy presence of police and soldiers made it impossible for protesters to congregate.more Show sample from book On the beach, a few remaining families were congregated on towels near the water, along with a couple of sand castles about to be swept away in the rising tide.†1 more congregate → congregated:came together Show general definition come together as a group
	2
malignantharmful or evil The malignant influence of the corrupt politician spread throughout the city, damaging trust and services.more Show sample from book She tried again not to think about the malignant cells invading his organs.†1 more harmful or evil; OR in medicine: harmful growth as with a cancerous tumor Show general definition harmful or evil in medicine: harmful growth as with a cancerous tumor
	6	top 1000
summonsummon → summoned:called to come I was summoned to the principal's office.more Show sample from book He hesitated, trying to summon his strength, for the rest of what he had to say.5 more call forth Show general definition to call to appear, come, or take action -- often used for official or serious situations, including legal notices or emotional/spiritual urges