The Lost Boy — Vocabulary
Dave Pelzer
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	7	top 100
focusconcentrate I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more Show sample from book I pocketed the change and turned my hunger off, focusing on shelter instead.7 more focus → focusing:concentrating 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
	1	top 2000
focus#2into view (as an area of attention) The bridge collapse brought aging infrastructure into focus as a political issue.more Show sample from book The closer The Mother came, the more her red face, filled with hatred, came into focus.7 more view (a state where something can be seen 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
	8	top 2000
probationperiod of being watched closely After breaking school rules, she was put on disciplinary probation for the rest of the semester.more Show sample from book The counselors write behavior reports on you that are turned in to your probation officer.7 more probation → probation officer:a person who monitors a criminal who does not have to be in prison as long as they demonstrate good behavior and obey special restrictions Show general definition a period of time when a person is being tested or watched to see if they meet certain expectations or follow rules
	5	top 1000
prejudiceunreasonable and unfair belief or feeling The group works to eliminate racial prejudice.more Show sample from book "You going to be all right? You're not prejudiced, are you?" I shook my head as my mouth hung open. ... I had never had black foster parents before.4 more prejudice → prejudiced:having unreasonable beliefs or feelings based on race Show general definition bias that prevents objective consideration -- especially an unreasonable belief that is unfair to members of a race, religion, or other group
	2	top 100
sufficientadequate (enough) We have sufficient supplies.more Show sample from book Many times I'd help Sandra with her housework, as I learned other ways to become self-sufficient.1 more adequate Show general definition adequate (enough -- often without being more than is needed)
	2	top 200
comprehendcomprehend → comprehends:fully understands I don't think she comprehends how dangerous this has become.more Show sample from book It took several blinks of my eyes for me to comprehend that it was Lilian's face, and not Mother's, that I was gawking at.1 more understand -- especially to understand it completely Show general definition to understand something -- especially to understand it completely
	2	top 500
acquireobtain (get) Children acquire language at an amazing rate.more Show sample from book Thirty-four days later, I cried as I stuffed my collection of arts-and-crafts projects and the folders of schoolwork I had acquired into a small cardboard box.1 more acquire → acquired:obtained Show general definition obtain (come into the possession of something)
	3	top 1000
persistpersist → persisted:continued The child persisted in asking questions despite my obvious desire to be left alone.more Show sample from book I was pushing 16 and did not know how to cook for myself. Alice assured me that she would teach me when the time came. I persisted. I wanted to learn how to cook now.2 more persist → persisted:continued despite obstacles Show general definition to continue -- often despite difficulty or to repeat a question
	2	top 1000
naivenaive → naïve:lacking the understanding or sophistication that comes from experience She criticized America's naïve foreign policy.more Show sample from book At Aunt Mary's my awkward sense of humor and naive excitability made me popular with the older foster children.†1 more lacking experience or sophistication, and the understanding that comes from them Show general definition lacking experience or sophistication, and the understanding that comes from them -- often too trusting or optimistic
	3	top 2000
morselsmall bit I ate every tasty morsel.more Show sample from book I climbed into garbage cans to hunt for a morsel of food.2 more small quantity Show general definition a very small quantity -- usually of food
	1	top 100
adaptadapt → adapted:changed (to fit this situation) Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.more Show sample from book As usual, I adapted quickly, and joined in the hunt whenever a child left. adapt → adapted:changed to fit into the situation Show general definition for adapt (as in: adapted to the new rules) changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
	1	top 100
establishestablish → establishing:showing or demonstrating The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.more Show sample from book Your Honor, while no direct corroboration has yet been made, the minor has an established pattern of extreme dysfunctional behavior. establish → established:demonstrated or known Show general definition for establish (as in: establish that there is a need) show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
	1	top 100
evaluateevaluate → evaluating:thinking carefully and making a judgment about I'm evaluating colleges and deciding which I want to apply to.more Show sample from book The county hereby recommends the minor to be immediately admitted to psychiatric evaluation for possible admission into a facility that can best support his needs. evaluate → evaluation:the process of making a careful judgment about something Show general definition to think carefully and make a judgment about something
	2	top 2000
ridiculemock (make fun of) It's easier to ridicule her ideas than to seriously refute her findings.more Show sample from book I knew what it was like to be ridiculed, and I hated it.1 more ridicule → ridiculed:mocked (made fun of) Show general definition mock (make fun of); or the language or behavior that does so
	3
animateanimate → animated:moving She won an award for best animated cartoon.more Show sample from book By early afternoon I became so bored that I'd plop down in front of the television and watch Speed Racer cartoons. When I could not stand another animated episode, I'd drag myself to my room and kill time by coloring in a coloring book she had given me.2 more animate → animated:moving cartoon Show general definition for animate (as in: an animated cartoon) make a moving cartoon (a film technique that uses a set of gradually changing pictures to simulate movement when played in series)
	3
climaxmost exciting or important part The deathbed scene is the climax of the play.more Show sample from book The climax of the film was to have Dr. Strange, played by Dave, drag Bond up and down the street while Paul filmed from all angles.†2 more the most exciting or important part of a story, musical piece, or other thing th… Show general definition for climax (as in: climax of the story) the most exciting or important part of a story, musical piece, or other thing that has a series of events
	2	top 2000
immaculateperfect Check her record. You will see that it is immaculate.more Show sample from book The immaculate houses looked more like miniature mansions than ordinary homes,1 more perfect (without fault or error) Show general definition for immaculate (as in: immaculate timing) perfect (without fault or error)
	2
badgerbadger → badgering:nagging Stop badgering me. I gave you my answer and I'm not going to change it.more Show sample from book His face became tight as I badgered him relentlessly.1 more badger → badgered:nagged or repeatedly bothered Show general definition for badger (as in: badgered her until she agreed) to nag or bother someone repeatedly -- typically to repeatedly ask them to do something
	1	top 200
critiqueanalyze and judge Please critique the performance.more Show sample from book After every show, Alice and I went back and forth with our own critiques. critique → critiques:examinations and judgments of something Show general definition an examination and judgment of something
	1	top 200
validategive evidence for the truth of something To further validate their results, researchers did a larger study the following year.more Show sample from book I've spoken with Ms. Gold, and we think your mother has somehow cooked up this plan—this institution thing—to somehow validate everything she's ever done to you. give evidence to support Show general definition give evidence for the truth or value of; or declare as legally approved