Unwind — Vocabulary
Neal Shusterman
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
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resolvedetermination (firmness of purpose)
The look of despair on Andy's face is suddenly replaced by a steely resolve bordering on triumph.p.15.83 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She never waivered in her resolve to attend a good college.more
Show general definition for resolve (as in: Her resolve weakened.) firmness of purpose (strong determination to do something)
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resolve#2resolve → resolved:settled
Two years and six court dates later, it still wasn't resolved.p.99.43 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
Three of the five issues have already been resolved.more
resolve → resolved:settled or solved
Show general definition for resolve (as in: How was the problem resolved?) to solve a problem, settle a disagreement, or for a situation to change
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interstatea road that runs through more than one state in the United States
He was so freaked out at having tranq'd a cop with his own weapon, he just dropped it and ran—just as he dropped his backpack on the interstate so he could carry Lev.p.43.48 more
Show context notes Interstate is short for interstate highway. When a word begins with the prefix, "inter-", the prefix often means between. In this case, an interstate highway is a highway that runs between different states. Though it can refer to any freeway in a place like Hawaii where no major highway connects to another state.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
There was an accident on the interstate.more
freeway, or highway that runs between states
Show context notes When a word begins with the prefix, "inter-", the prefix often means between. In this case, interstate means between different states. Interstate is often used as an abbreviation for interstate highway, a highway that runs between states. It has also come to mean freeway in a place like Hawaii where no major highway connects to another state.
Show general definition for interstate (as in: interstate commerce) freeway, or highway that runs between states

or:

relating to the mutual relations between states -- especially of the United States
Show editor's word notes Note that interstate is often contrasted with intrastate. An intrastate highway is used to move from one location in a state to another, rather than to move between states. Similarly, interstate commerce is business between states; whereas intrastate commerce affects a state without affecting other states. Under the U.S. Constitution, the interstate/intrastate distinction is important  when determining when the federal government has authority to override state government.
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integritystrong moral principles
Hayden once said that Connor had integrity.p.226.14 more
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They agreed to have her judge the contest because everyone admires her integrity.more
Show general definition for integrity (as in: a person of high integrity) having strong moral principles -- especially honesty
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naivelacking in experience and sophistication
Maybe this kid isn't as naive as he looks.p.160.24 more
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She criticized America's naïve foreign policy.more
naive → naïve:lacking the understanding or sophistication that comes from experience
Show general definition lacking experience or sophistication, and the understanding that comes from them -- often too trusting or optimistic
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implyimply → implies:indirectly says there is
The simple fact that he has a destination is enough for Lev. It's more than Lev has. Destination implies a future.p.122.61 more
Show context notes This is when Lev decides to travel with CyFi.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She wouldn't make a direct statement, but she implied that she supported our position.more
imply → implied:hinted or suggested
Show general definition to suggest or say indirectly -- possibly as a logical consequence
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alternativeother possibility
Risa knows he didn't want it, but he had been willing to take it when the alternative was a miserable life with a miserable family.p.113.51 more
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Let's think of at least three alternatives before we decide what to do.more
alternative → alternatives:possibilities
Show general definition for alternative (as in: an alternative plan) a different choice or possibility, or describing something that offers a different choice or possibility
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passagepassage → passages:short parts of a longer written work
He also keeps his silence when Bible passages become shredded to justify unwinding, and kids start to see the face of God in the fragments.p.280.8
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
Each passage below is followed by a number of questions.more
a short part of a longer written work
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.
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conveyexpress or carry
Risa is careful not to struggle because struggling gives him the advantage. She lets her tone of voice convey all the weight. "Let go of me."p.48.5
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
She dresses to convey a sense of a successful, no-nonsense woman.more
communicate or express
Show general definition for convey (as in: convey her thoughts) communicate or express
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conventionconvention → conventional:normal or typical
Ariana's house is a twenty-minute walk, if you take the conventional route.p.8.4
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
It was once conventional wisdom that the earth is flat.more
convention → conventional:normal
Show general definition for convention (as in: conventional behavior) something regarded as normal or typical
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directstraight or quick
Suburban Ohio neighborhoods never have streets that go in straight lines, so instead he takes the more direct route, through the woods, and makes it there in ten.p.8.56 more
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This flower does best in direct sunlight.more
without intervention from anything (in this case, not sun that is partially blocked or reflected)
Show general definition for direct (as in: directly above; or buy direct) without anything in between -- whether in time, space, or involvement
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direct#2clear, or straightforward
There's grumbling, but no direct defiance.p.162.76 more
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I left them with direct instructions.more
straightforward
Show general definition for direct (as in: gave a direct answer) straightforward -- often clear, open, or blunt in speech or behavior
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direct#3direct → directed:aimed
Connor's shots had been very precise; they were low, and directed at a corner of the crate.p.245.36 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
On the SAT test, some questions direct you to look at an underlined or numbered portion of a passage.more
instruct
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
81
tithetithe → tithing:donating a percentage of income to a church
Clearly offended, Lev says, "Tithing's in the Bible; you're supposed to give 10 percent of everything."p.72.880 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
Although she no longer attends services, she still tithes.more
tithe → tithes:donates 10% of income to a church
Show general definition to donate a portion of one's income -- especially a tenth of income to a church; or the amount given
1
stigmasomething looked down upon by society
They even all have the same last name, and she silently curses whoever it was who determined that they should all be named Ward—as if being one weren't enough of a stigma.p.176.9
Show context notes Risa is thinking that being a ward is bad enough without drawing attention to it by getting a last name of Ward. In this context, a ward is a minor who is legally taken care of by an institution rather than family.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
The stigma associated with sexually transmitted diseases makes diagnosis and treatment more difficult.more
societal disapproval or shaming
Show general definition for stigma (as in: suffered the stigma of...) societal disapproval or shaming associated with a behavior or a condition -- (often used to describe unreasonable disapproval or shaming)
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determinedfirmly planning
And he's determined to have the best time of his life.p.27.910 more
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I'm determined to become a lawyer.more
Show general definition for determined (as in: is determined to succeed) firm in purpose
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determinedetermine → determined:decided
They even all have the same last name, and she silently curses whoever it was who determined that they should all be named Ward—as if being one weren't enough of a stigma.p.176.910 more
Show exemplary sample (not from book)
They are working to determine the cause of the accident.more
learn or discover
Show general definition for determine (as in: determined she is guilty) to learn, discover, or decide
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tonequality of voice expressing a feeling
It wasn't the story but the tone of his voice that mattered, a gentle baritone rumble as calming as waves breaking on a shore.p.16.86 more
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Which of the following words best maintains the tone established in this passage.more
general feeling
Show general definition for tone (as in: the tone of the essay) the general feeling, mood, or attitude of something -- especially of something said or written
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despairdistress (at not knowing how to improve a bad situation)
But each time a new group of kids shows up and Lev isn't among them, a sense of despair worms its way through Connor's gut.p.148.43 more
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Don't give in to despair.more
a feeling of hopelessness
Show general definition for despair (as in: she felt despair) hopelessness; or distress (such as extreme worry or sadness from feeling powerless to change a bad situation)
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accompanygo with
The yellow copy would accompany Connor to his end, and the pink would stay with his parents, as evidence of what they'd done.p.6.51 more
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The nurse accompanies the old woman everywhere.more
accompany → accompanies:travels with
Show general definition for accompany (as in: accompany on the journey) to travel along with