Out of My Mind — Vocabulary
Sharon M. Draper
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Exemplary sample	Uses	Broad Use
	3	top 2000
positivecertain I'm positive I've seen her before.more Show sample from book I've never been there, but I've seen specials on the Travel Channel, and I'm almost positive it's in Arizona.p.150.93 more Show general definition for positive (as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
	1
positive#2optimistic With a positive attitude and some effort, I'm sure we can make this work.more Show sample from book "We've got to think positive thoughts."p.74.33 more Show general definition for positive (as in: a positive attitude) optimistic (expecting or focusing on good things); or agreeable
	2	top 1000
sequenceordered set The sequence of events leading to the accident was carefully reviewed by the investigators.more Show sample from book These kids could remember complicated strands of numbers and recall words and pictures in correct sequence and quote long passages of poetry.†p.14.11 more arranged in a specific order Show general definition a set of things arranged or happening in a specific order -- often chronological order
	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 My mom and the doctor had no idea why I was smiling as we rolled into the waiting room while he wrote up his evaluation of me.†p.22.6 evaluate → evaluation:the process of thinking carefully and making a judgment about something Show general definition to think carefully and make a judgment about something
	2	top 2000
ambleamble → ambling:walking slowly or leisurely An old woman was ambling across the street.more Show sample from book Claire stays on the other side of the room with her parents, but Connor ambles over and stands next to Rose.†p.215.11 more amble → ambles:walks leisurely Show general definition to walk leisurely or slowly
	2
iridescentrainbow like colors that shimmer or vary with movement Oil spilled on the wet pavement created a rainbow of iridescent colors.more Show sample from book Maybe millions: Cathedral, Mayonnaise, Pomegranate, Mississippi, Neapolitan, Hippopotamus, Silky, Terrifying, Iridescent, Tickle, Sneeze, Wish, Worry.†p.1.41 more bright colors that shimmer or vary with movement Show general definition bright colors that shimmer or vary with movement
	2	top 2000
symphonyan orchestra that plays classical music We heard the Vienna Symphony.more Show sample from book Big, booming Beethoven symphonies blast from her CD player all day long.†p.5.91 more symphony → symphonies:a long, complex piece of music for full orchestra (often in several movements); … Show general definition a long, complex piece of music for full orchestra (often in several movements); also, the orchestra or performance of such a work, or by extension any richly harmonious combination of many parts
	1	top 500
economicsthe study of how limited resources are allocated in an attempt to satisfy unlimited wants I don't know much about economics, but I know her plan doesn't make sense.more Show sample from book Dad asked me questions about economics and retail management and sports.†p.167.6 the study of how limited resources are allocated in an attempt to satisfy unlimi…
	1	top 1000
resilientable to withstand strain and/or quickly recover from it Times have been tough, but she is resilient.more Show sample from book Toddlers are very resilient, you know.†p.280.1 Show general definition able to withstand strain and/or quickly recover from it -- such as a person retaining a positive attitude, or a material returning to its shape after being bent, stretched, or pressed
	1	top 1000
deftquick and skillful She painted with deft, swift touches.more Show sample from book Mom took the CD, dug down in her purse for a moment, gave Mrs. Billups a five-dollar bill, and deftly snapped the disc in half.†p.59.7
	1	top 1000
endeavorendeavor → endeavored:tried or attempted I endeavored to get both sides to agree to a compromise.more Show sample from book The winning team in Washington gets to take home that huge golden trophy, they receive a guest appearance on Good Morning America, and their school will receive a check for two thousand dollars to be used for academic endeavors!†p.217.3 endeavor → endeavors:attempts; or things attempted Show general definition to attempt; or a project or activity attempted
	1	top 1000
petulantunreasonably annoyed or upset She stomped her foot like a petulant child.more Show sample from book Claire replied, her voice petulant.†p.152.5 unreasonably annoyed or upset; OR easily annoyed or upset Show general definition unreasonably annoyed or upset or: easily annoyed or upset
	1	top 1000
accumulategradually increase Greenhouse gas continues to accumulate in the atmosphere.more Show sample from book Mrs. Shannon rolls all of us closer so we can watch the snow accumulate on the grass and trees.†p.127.5 collect or gradually increase Show general definition to collect or gradually increase
	1	top 1000
narrativeStory He titled his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.more Show sample from book A combination of contradictory words The outcome of a sequence of events An implied reference to a literary or historical event A symbolic story or narrative.†p.210.8 story Show general definition for narrative (as in: Narrative of the Life of...) a story; or related to a story
	1
concertoconcerto → concertos:music written for orchestra and one (or more) solo instruments Concertos have been written for all instruments, but most are written for violin, cello, or piano because those instruments provide such a wide, dynamic and expressive range.more Show sample from book I learned to tell the difference between Beethoven and Bach, between a sonata and a concerto.†p.48.2
	1
modulateregulate or adjust The therapist helped him modulate his reactions during stressful situations.more Show sample from book "Good evening!" he says with that perfectly modulated voice that announcers seem to be born with.†p.206.7 modulate → modulated:regulated Show general definition to regulate or make something less severe
	1
matinéedaytime performance We can still make the half-price matinée.more Show sample from book Maybe we can go catch a matinee.†p.86.2 Show general definition a daytime performance (of something like a movie or play)
	1
triviaminor or obscure facts She loves studying baseball trivia about famous players and games.more Show sample from book He's a little hard to handle, but he's great with trivia.†p.147.7 facts or details that are generally considered unimportant Show general definition facts or details that are generally considered unimportant
	1
fibulacalf bone in the leg I have a broken fibula, but since it isn't weight-bearing, the doctor said I can walk on it.more Show sample from book I learned that the bones in the leg are the femur, the tibia, the patella, and the fibula.†p.163.3 Show general definition the calf bone (running from the ankle to the knee; parallel with the tibia but at the side rather than the front of the leg)
	1
Saharalargest desert in the world (in northern Africa) The vast expanse of the Sahara desert, with its shifting sand dunes and scorching heat, presents a formidable challenge to even the most seasoned explorers.more Show sample from book Everybody cheered because, otherwise, we would have had a lesson on the Sahara Desert.†p.147.1 North African desert that is the largest in the world (3.5 million square miles … Show general definition North African desert that is the largest in the world (3.5 million square miles - 7 times larger than the next largest desert and almost as large as the entire USA).