Mao’s Last Dancer — Vocabulary
Li Cunxin
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	105	top 2000
communisman economic system that abolishes private ownership of property with the goal of a classless society A challenge with communism is that it is harder to know how to allocate capital when prices are subjective rather than the product of individual valuations.†more Show sample from book They tore down temples and shrines: Mao wanted communism to have no competition from other religions.†104 more Show general definition an economic system that abolishes private ownership of property with the goal of a classless society
	60	top 1000
peasantpeasant → peasants:an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.more Show sample from book My mother's earnings, as with all the peasants', depended on the weather and luck.†59 more peasant → peasants:used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: people of low income, education, and social standing -- especially those who raise crops or livestock Show general definition used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country: a person of low income, education, and social standing -- especially one who raises crops or livestock
	35	top 2000
operaa classical music play in which most of the dialogue is sung She is a popular opera singer.more Show sample from book I looked scary, comical—like an evil Beijing Opera character.†34 more a musical play with orchestra in which most of the dialogue is sung (or the art form that consists of such musicals; or describing something as related to that art form) Show general definition a form of musical theater with orchestra in which most of the words are sung, often in a classical style and sometimes in a foreign language
	8	top 100
focusconcentrate I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more Show sample from book When I had danced this role at eighteen, I bashed through the performance, focusing only on the technical aspect of the role.†8 more focus → focusing:concentrating, or looking 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 100
focus#2area where attention is concentrated Since we're running out of time, let's narrow our focus to just what needs to be done tomorrow.more Show sample from book It was magical, and New York was the focus.†8 more where attention is concentrated Show general definition for focus (as in: The focus of our study is...) where attention is concentrated or directed
	4	top 100
accompanyaccompany → accompanies:travels with The nurse accompanies the old woman everywhere.more Show sample from book She was frequently accompanied by a handsome retired dancer, or a retired opera singer, a movie actor or a Ping-Pong champion.6 more accompany → accompanied:joined Show general definition for accompany (as in: accompany on the journey) to travel along with
	3	top 100
accompany#2accompany → accompanying:provided together The trend is easily seen in the accompanying graph.more Show sample from book The sports teacher stood in front of everyone with a loudspeaker in hand and shouted out the eight exercise routines accompanied by recorded music.6 more accompany → accompanied:joined at the same time Show general definition for accompany (as in: the accompanying chart) to be present with at the same time and/or location -- sometimes provided to make something more complete or better
	21	top 2000
propagandaone-sided information spread to influence opinions There is no free press in that country -- just government-approved propaganda.more Show sample from book He was politically astute, and the head of the propaganda department for the Building Materials Bureau in Qingdao.†20 more one-sided information that is purposefully spread to influence opinions Show general definition one-sided information that is purposefully spread to influence opinions -- often misleading information of a political nature
	17	top 2000
capitalisman economic system based on private ownership of property and businesses, and on voluntary exchange in a competitive environment Capitalism has helped to move millions of people out of poverty.more Show sample from book If anyone looked up, he would be regarded as arrogant or too stubborn to change and too deeply influenced by capitalist filth.†16 more capitalism → capitalist:one who believes in an economic system based on voluntary exchange in a competitive environment with private ownership of property and businesses Show general definition an economic system based on voluntary exchange in a competitive environment with private ownership of property and businesses Show editor's word notes Proponents of capitalism argue that voluntary exchanges tap into people’s local knowledge and natural self-interest, channeling millions of everyday decisions into broader benefits for society. At the same time, most of them also support a role for government in addressing problems that “pure” capitalism handles poorly—such as monopolies, shared costs and benefits like pollution and national defense, and providing a safety net for those who are hit by bad luck.
	8	top 500
mentorsomeone who guides and advises another who is less experienced Each new employee is matched with a mentor.more Show sample from book They had absolute power and would become our political and ideological mentors.†7 more mentor → mentors:someone who guides and advises another who is less experienced… Show general definition someone who guides and advises another who is less experienced; or the act of providing such guidance
	8	top 2000
ecstaticecstatic → ecstatically:with feelings of intense happiness They are ecstatically in love.more Show sample from book The hunter was ecstatic.†7 more feeling intense happiness and excitement Show general definition feeling intense happiness and excitement (as when in a state of ecstasy)
	8	top 1000
persistpersist → persisted:continued The child persisted in asking questions despite my obvious desire to be left alone.more Show sample from book Despite seeing a few local healers, her sickness persisted and on the second night she had a strange dream: Na-na accused her and my dia of not looking after her.†7 more Show general definition to continue -- often despite difficulty or to repeat a question
	6	top 500
crucialvery important Doing well on the ACT is crucial to getting into the college I want to attend.more Show sample from book Chairman Mao's communist theory about the so-called "three classes of people" was crucial when selecting us.†5 more Show general definition very important or necessary -- often because it determines how something else will turn out
	63
consulatean official government office in another country After her passport was stolen, she went to the U.S. consulate to get emergency travel papers.more Show sample from book Being freed from the consulate with Elizabeth Mackey and Charles Foster With Barbara Bush at the White 11011se in 1991.†62 more a diplomat appointed by a government to live in a foreign country and help its citizens visiting that country; or the offices of that person and assistants Show general definition the offices where a consul works; or a consul (a diplomat appointed by a government to live in a foreign country, help its citizens visiting that country, and protect its commercial interests there)
	1	top 500
implicationsomething implied (said indirectly) I object to her implication that my work was sub-standard.more Show sample from book Ben's relationship with China mended after that trip and I was happy for him for that, but I still worried about the possible implications my defection might have had on my family and for several years I didn't write or call them, fearing I would get them into further trouble.2 more implication → implications:consequences or impact Show general definition for implication (as in: the implication is that...) Something that follows from something else. The thing that follows could be: something suggested indirectly (not said directly) something that can be concluded (often a logical consequence) something that results from something else
	2	top 500
implication#2involvement She is suspected of implication in three burglaries.more Show sample from book Some of my relatives and friends had distanced themselves from my family, for fear of being implicated in my defection, but the officials never contacted my family again.2 more implication → implicated:accused of involvement Show general definition for implication (as in: Her implication in the crime) involvement in or the suggestion that someone was involved in something -- especially a crime
	6	top 500
allocateallocate → allocated:rationed (distributed according to a plan) During the drought, the council allocated water strictly to ensure it lasted all summer.more Show sample from book The commune allocated each family in the village a piece of land.†5 more allocate → allocated:set apart for a special purpose Show general definition distribute according to a plan or: set apart for a special purpose
	2
coupthe sudden overthrow of a government by use of limited force A successful coup with no bloodshed.more Show sample from book Lin Biao had been planning a major coup for a number of years, and Chairman Mao had narrowly escaped several assassination attempts.2 more sudden overthrow of a government by use of limited force Show general definition for coup (as in: deposed in the coup) the sudden overthrow of a government by use of limited force Show editor's word notes This sense of coup is also called a coup d'état.
	1
coup#2brilliant and notable success We consider it a coup for the University to get the new presidential library.more Show sample from book "Jeano, is it true that Mary McKendry is coming?" I asked our general manager eagerly. "Yes, a real coup," he replied, beaming.2 more Show general definition for coup (as in: a financial coup) a brilliant and notable success Show editor's word notes The term "coup de theatre" indicates a sensational moment in a theatrical stagecraft -- typically a surprise; or possibly a highly successful theatrical production.
	2	top 200
fluctuatealternately increase and decrease in quantity "I'm not overweight. I fluctuate between chubby and curvy."more Show sample from book My joy and sadness fluctuated along with my niang's.†1 more fluctuate → fluctuated:alternately increased and decreased in quantity Show general definition to alternately increase and decrease in quantity