A Child Called It — Vocabulary
Dave Pelzer
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
6 top 100
focusconcentrate
I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more
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The more I tried to focus on my options of what she might do to me, the more my inner strength drained away.6 more
Show general definition for focus (as in: Turn your focus to question #2.) to direct attention or effort toward a single thing; or the ability to do so without getting distracted
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focus#2into view (as an area of attention)
The bridge collapse brought aging infrastructure into focus as a political issue.more
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I strained to focus my eyes on Mother.6 more
adjust (to see clearly)
Show general definition for focus (as in: bring into focus; or out of focus) a state where something has come into view or can be seen clearly; or an adjustment made to permit a clear view
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principalmost important
The principal idea is that decisions should be made by the people who are most knowledgeable about specific circumstances that impact the decision.more
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The nurse returns in a few minutes with Mr. Hansen the principal, and two of my teachers, Miss Woods and Mr. Ziegler.†12 more
most important; or person that is most important
Show general definition most important; or person who is most important
The exact meaning of principal can depend upon its context. For example:
  • "the principal idea" or "the principal performer" -- the most important
  • "the principal of the school" -- the person in charge
  • "a principal of a company" -- an owner or person with controlling authority
  • "the principal in a transaction" (as contrasted to the agent) -- the person on whose behalf an agent acts
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positivecertain
I'm positive I've seen her before.more
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I took positive control over my life.3 more
absolute (used for emphasis)
Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
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positive#2positive → positively:in a good or beneficial manner
Lower interest rates positively affected home sales.†more
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My blessings also mean having the opportunity to meet so many people who had a positive impact on my life.3 more
good or beneficial
Show general definition for positive (as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial
3 top 100
consequenceconsequence → consequences:results
Your decision will have three major consequences.more
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And the consequence was no food.2 more
result
Show general definition for consequence (as in: a direct consequence of) a result of something (often an undesired side effect)
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motivationreason for doing something
A generous commission structure provides motivation to our salespeople.more
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I learned the secret of internal motivation.†2 more
the reason for doing something; or the level of desire to do something
Show general definition the reason for doing something; or the level of desire to do something
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perspectiveway of seeing or thinking about things
A child who was abused with have a different perspective of family life than one raised in a nurturing home.more
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I bring a perspective born in the brutal reality of child abuse and nurtured in hope for a better tomorrow.1 more
way of seeing and thinking about things
Show general definition for perspective (as in: Look at it from her perspective) a particular way of seeing or thinking about things
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estimateroughly calculate or guess
What do you estimate this will cost?more
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Sources of information vary, but it is estimated that one in five children are physically, emotionally or sexually abused in our country.†1 more
estimate → estimated:roughly calculated or guessed (based on incomplete information) a value, quantity, or extent of something
Show general definition rough calculation or judgment
4 top 2000
hideousextremely ugly, offensive, and/or frightening
The beast had hideous fangs.more
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She then revealed my hideous crime.3 more
extremely ugly or offensive
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fleetinglasting a short time
Her moments of happiness were few and fleeting.more
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For a fleeting moment I looked out the window.†1 more
Show general definition lasting a short time
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compassionsympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help
If I see one hungry child, I feel compassion, but when I hear of a million hungry children, I'm overwhelmed and turn my mind to other things.more
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In the past, I had seen her treat animals with more compassion than she did me.1 more
feeling or showing sympathy for another's suffering
2 top 1000
banishbanish → banished:forced to leave
He was banished from his own country.more
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Finally, Mother told me that I was no longer privileged enough to sleep upstairs, so I was banished downstairs to the garage.†1 more
banish → banished:expelled or gotten rid of
Show general definition to expel or get rid of
in various senses, including:
  • to force someone to leave a country as punishment
  • to push an idea from the mind
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despisedespise → despises:dislikes strongly and looks down upon
She despises the people he works for.more
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I came to despise the neighbors, my relatives and anybody else who had ever known me and the conditions under which I lived.2 more
dislike strongly
Show general definition to dislike strongly and to look down upon with disrespect
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morselsmall bit
I ate every tasty morsel.more
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I was fully aware that I could pay for my crime at any time, so I ate every morsel as if it were my last meal.3 more
tiny bit
Show general definition a very small quantity -- usually of food
4
charadefalse display
The politician's promises were nothing more than a charade, designed to win votes without any intention of follow-through.Fred Wertheimermore
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This whole charade of living like a slave had come to an end.†3 more
a situation in which people act as though something is true that is not
Show general definition a situation in which people act as though something is true that is not
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marathona footrace of about 26 miles
She is training to run in the Boston Marathon.more
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Each day when I ran to and from school, I tried to run faster, pounding each step as if I were a marathon runner.†1 more
Show general definition for marathon (as in: ran her first marathon) a 26.2-mile footrace; or, more generally, any long and demanding activity requiring endurance
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paradoxsomething that seems contradictory but is true
It’s a paradox that the more we learn, the more we realize how little we know.more
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It is perhaps a paradox that without the abuse of my past, I might not be what I am today.
a surprising situation because parts of it seem to contradict each other
Show general definition a situation or statement that seems to contradict itself but may still be true
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durationtime (during which something continues)
I take zinc tablets to help shorten the duration of a cold.more
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Except for the short duration of a fishing trip, things with Mother were touch and go, or smash and dash—she would smash me, and I would dash to the solitude of the basement/garage.†
the time during which something continues
Show general definition the time during which something continues
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alienatealienate → alienated:made feel emotionally separated
She alienated half her friends when she became fanatically political.more
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She despised me as much as ever, but she began to alienate her friends, husband, brother and even her own mother.†
make feel emotionally separated
Show general definition make feel emotionally separated