The Choice — Vocabulary
Nicholas Sparks
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
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positivecertain I'm positive I've seen her before.more Show sample from book I think he's old man Cason's, but I'm not positive about that.†p.56.54 more 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 Show sample from book Her only saving grace—the only positive thing to come out of the whole experience—was that she'd apologized in his office.†p.65.54 more good Show general definition for positive (as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial
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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 Stephanie leaned back, evaluating her brother.†p.35.32 more Show general definition to think carefully and make a judgment about something
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ponderthink about The question the audience is left to ponder is...more Show sample from book Travis pondered the question.†p.16.43 more ponder → pondered:thought deeply or carefully about Show general definition to think deeply or carefully about something
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perpetualcontinuing forever A perpetual flame burns beside the grave of John F. Kennedy.more Show sample from book Life as a perpetual student is so much harder than actually earning a living.†p.35.72 more continuing forever without change; OR occurring so frequently it seems constant Show general definition continuing forever without change; or occurring so frequently it seems constant
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intuitionintuition → intuitive:able to understand things from feeling or instinct rather than conscious reasoning They were perfect partners--one highly intuitive and the other highly analytical.more Show sample from book Maybe my intuition has been warning me about something I don't quite understand but shouldn't be underestimated.... "About you," she said, ignoring the little voice.†p.98.22 more the ability to known instinctively rather than through reasoning; or the thing that is known in such a way Show general definition something known based on feeling or instinct rather than conscious reasoning; or the ability to know things in such a manner
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alludeallude → alluded:indirectly referenced He alluded to Susan without mentioning her name.more Show sample from book Though she had alluded to some problems at the pediatrician's office during their first weekend together, she hadn't been specific.†p.228.91 more Show general definition to make an indirect reference Show editor's word notes The expression, no allusion can mean "not even an indirect reference"; i.e., neither a direct nor an indirect reference to something.
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obliviousunaware of She is oblivious to the dangers.more Show sample from book Dr. Furman struck her as oblivious, Dr. Melton struck her as a flirt, but it was an opportunity to be nearer to Kevin.†p.46.33 more Show general definition unaware of
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persistpersist → persisted:continued The child persisted in asking questions despite my obvious desire to be left alone.more Show sample from book Gabby expected Stephanie to persist, but instead, Stephanie simply shrugged and lay back on her towel, as if she'd never said anything at all.†p.127.63 more continue Show general definition to continue -- often despite difficulty or to repeat a question
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skepticaldoubtful I am skeptical about her plan.more Show sample from book He didn't bother to hide his skepticism.†p.98.71 more skeptical → skepticism:doubt (that something is true) Show general definition doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile) or more rarely: generally tending to doubt what others believe
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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 Show sample from book He felt a surge of compassion for her and found himself nodding, just to let her know he was paying attention.†p.31.82 more Show general definition sympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help
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nonethelessin spite of that (used to connect contrasting ideas) Sometimes she gets angry and loses her temper, but I love her nonetheless.more Show sample from book Everyone was chattering as they reached the platform, talking about the fish or dolphins they'd seen, but Gabby nonetheless felt herself growing nervous as her turn approached.†p.120.92 more Show general definition in spite of that (Used to connect contrasting ideas. Other synonyms could include words and phrases such as nevertheless, all the same, still, and however.)
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optimisticexpecting the best I'm optimistic that I'll get into a good college.more Show sample from book Travis didn't know whom to believe, but he chose to live his days on the side of the optimists.†p.245.51 more optimistic → optimists:people who expect the best; or who focus on the good part of things Show general definition expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
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simultaneousat the same time On Super Tuesday a large number of states have simultaneous primary elections.more Show sample from book Of course not, she thought, while simultaneously thinking, Of course it did.†p.101.12 more Show general definition at the same time
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pediatricrelated to medical care for children She hopes to become a pediatric nurse and work with young children in a hospital setting.more Show sample from book It was shaping up to be one of those days when Gabby wondered why she'd decided to work in a pediatric office.†p.45.15 more related to the branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of infants and children Show general definition of the branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of infants and children
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lethargiclacking energy I'm hoping a cold iced tea will help me get past this lethargic feeling.more Show sample from book Gabby nodded, watching lethargically as Stephanie leaned over the deck railing.†p.145.22 more lethargic → lethargically:without energy
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neurologythe branch of medicine that deals with the nervous system (including the brain) In the United States a specialty in neurology requires 8 years of post-undergraduate education and clinical training.more Show sample from book Later, he had to meet with the neurologist and the hospital administrator.†p.275.63 more neurology → neurologist:physician that deals with the nervous system (including the brain)
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inferfigure out or guess by reasoning Which of the following facts can you infer from the first paragraph?more Show sample from book You inferred that from what I was saying?†p.137.9 infer → inferred:concluded or guessed by reasoning Show general definition to figure out or guess by reasoning
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neuroticexcessively concern She has a neurotic obsession with cleanliness.more Show sample from book She's also more than a little neurotic, Travis thought.†p.15.52 more mildly mentally disturbed Show general definition mildly mentally disturbed -- usually worrying too much about something; or someone with such symptoms Show editor's word notes More formally, a neurotic might be described as someone with a mild personality disorder -- a neurosis not attributable to any known neurological or organic problem.
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tiradespeech of angry criticism She unleashed a stunning tirade that could be heard in the next room.more Show sample from book When her tirade finally wound down, she ended up staring at the ground, spent.†p.32.11 more Show general definition a speech of angry criticism