Monster — Vocabulary
Walter Dean Myers
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
38 top 2000
testifytestify → testified:provided oral evidence in court
She testified against the robber.more
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Mr. Cruz, you're testifying against people you know.†p.101.737 more
testify → testifying:providing evidence of something -- especially oral evidence in court
Show general definition provide evidence of something -- especially to say something under oath in a court of law
31 top 2000
testimonythe statement of a witness at a trial
Her emotional testimony moved the jury.more
Show sample from book
The judge is going to rule on a motion that King's lawyer made to suppress Cruz's testimony, and a few other things.†p.16.130 more
something that serves as evidence -- especially a statement at a trial or hearing
Show general definition something that serves as evidence -- especially a statement at a trial or hearing
1 top 100
establishestablish → established:created
Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?more
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I'd like to establish the objection.p.173.74 more
set in place (for the record to argue upon appeal)
Show general definition for establish (as in: establish a positive tone) create, start, or set in [a] place
4 top 100
establish#2establish → 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
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It's my understanding that the crime-scene technicians didn't find any fingerprints they could establish as belonging to a perpetrator.p.74.34 more
prove
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 2000
directwithout intervention from anything (in this case, not sun that is partially blocked or reflected)
This flower does best in direct sunlight.more
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Neither STEVE nor KING is directly facing the camera.†p.253.92 more
direct → directly:exactly where stated (used for emphasis)
Show general definition for direct (as in: directly above; or buy direct) without anything in between -- whether in time, space, or involvement
2 top 100
direct#2straightforward
I left them with direct instructions.more
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This death was a direct result of the robbery.†p.24.92 more
clear, straightforward, or to the point
Show general definition for direct (as in: gave a direct answer) straightforward -- often clear, open, or blunt in speech or behavior
2 top 2000
positivecertain
I'm positive I've seen her before.more
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Here is a Black woman, uneasy about her role in identifying a young Black man, who still had the courage to testify before you and to positively identify Mr. King.p.258.92 more
positive → positively:with certainty
Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
1 top 100
positive#2positive → positively:in a good or beneficial manner
Lower interest rates positively affected home sales.†more
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He's very much involved with depicting his neighborhood and environment in a positive manner.p.235.52 more
good or beneficial
Show general definition for positive (as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial
1 top 1000
determinedfirmly planning
I'm determined to become a lawyer.more
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Mayor Rudy Giuliani says that he is determined to stop crime in all areas of the city.p.122.91 more
firm in purpose
Show general definition for determined (as in: is determined to succeed) firm in purpose
1 top 10
determinelearn or discover
They are working to determine the cause of the accident.more
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A man is dead. But nowhere in the Medical Examiner's testimony does he indicate who was responsible for that murder. That is for you to determine.p.244.91 more
figure out
Show general definition for determine (as in: determined she is guilty) to learn, discover, or decide
3 top 100
engageengage → engaged:was involved
She engaged in conduct that is a violation of the honor code.more
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I saw two young men engaged in an argument.p.163.82 more
engage → engaged:involved
Show general definition for engage (as in: engage in conversation) to interact in various ways -- such as to participate, involve, interest, or attract
The exact meaning of this sense of engage depends upon its context. For example:
  • "They engaged in debate." -- participated
  • "She engaged him in conversation." -- involved
  • "She is an engaging conversationalist." -- interesting
  • "She has an engaging smile." -- attractive (attracting interest and interaction)
  • "The proposal engages the interest of many young voters." -- attracts and involves
  • "She engages with her constituents." -- interacts in a meaningful way
  • "She engaged in foolish behavior." -- entered into
6 top 2000
defendanta person (or institution) legally accused or sued in court
The defendant is confident she will be found innocent.more
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The 2 defendants you see before you will be shown to be participants in that act and are being charged with felony murder.†p.25.15 more
defendant → defendants:people (or institutions) legally accused or sued in court
2 top 10
demonstratedemonstrate → demonstrated:showed
The salesperson demonstrated features of both phones so I could compare them.more
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Then I saw one of them grab the drugstore owner by the collar. (She grabs her own collar to demonstrate.)p.163.91 more
show (what happened)
Show general definition for demonstrate (as in: It demonstrates my point.) to show
The exact meaning of this sense of demonstrate can depend upon its context. For example:
  • "I will demonstrate how to throw a Frisbee." -- show how to do something
  • "I will demonstrate how much quicker the new computer is than the old one." -- show how something works
  • "Her questioned demonstrated that she was listening and thinking deeply about what was said." -- showed to be true or proved
2 top 500
approximateapproximate → approximately:about
The state has approximately as many Republicans as Democrats.more
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On the 22nd of December of last year, at approximately 4 o'clock in the afternoon, 2 men entered a drugstore on 145th Street in Harlem.†p.22.11 more
approximate → approximately:about (but not exactly)
Show general definition almost, but not exact; or similar
1 top 10
inferfigure out or guess by reasoning
Which of the following facts can you infer from the first paragraph?more
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I know the judge will tell the jury not to infer anything if you don't take the stand, but I believe that the jury wants to hear from you.p.215.2
conclude (through reasoning)
Show general definition to figure out or guess by reasoning
2
conspiratorconspirator → conspirators:participants involved in a secret plot
The secret meeting in the dimly lit room was filled with hushed whispers among the conspirators, plotting their next move.more
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Yet another of the conspirators, the planners of this robbery that left a man dead, was to go into the store prior to the robbery to check it out, to make sure that there were no police in the store.p.23.71 more
Show general definition a member of a conspiracy (a secret plot)
2
cross-examinationthe re-questioning of a witness who has already been questioned by the other side in court
Prosecutors expect to wrap up their cross-examination tomorrow.more
Show sample from book
KARYL is still on stand as BRIGGS cross-examines.†p.73.91 more
cross-examination → cross-examines:careful, detailed questioning
Show general definition careful, detailed questioning—especially in court, where the opposing side questions a witness after the other side has questioned them
1 top 1000
pessimisticexpecting that things will turn out badly;
Despite the team's losing streak, the coach tried to remain optimistic, while the players grew increasingly pessimistic.more
Show sample from book
What are you, a pessimist?p.73.1
pessimistic → pessimist:someone who expects the worst; or who focuses on the bad part of things
Show general definition expecting that things will turn out badly; or focusing on the bad part of things
1 top 2000
bravadoboldness and courage
The fighter's bravado amused the crowd, even though everyone knew he was outmatched.more
Show sample from book
The other is putting on a show of bravado.†p.266.5
a bold manner or show of bravery -- often hiding fear or insecurity
Show general definition a bold manner or show of bravery -- often hiding fear or insecurity
1 top 2000
elicitelicit → elicited:brought out in response
Her comments elicited public outrage.†more
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The State did elicit from Steve that he spoke to Mr. King about basketball.†p.245.7
get or bring out in response
Show general definition get or bring out in response -- such as information or a feeling