Island of the Blue Dolphins — Vocabulary
Scott O'Dell
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	13	top 500
thereforefor that reason Kim is taller than Ashley. Ashley is taller than Anna. Therefore, Kim is taller than Anna.more Show sample from book Plans were therefore made to flee as soon as their ship was sighted.†p.30.212 more Show general definition for that reason (what follows is so because of what was just said)
	3	top 500
ceasestop According to the treaty, all offensive military action will cease at midnight.more Show sample from book "We hunted," said my father, "but the one you call a fool wished us to hunt from one moon to the next, never ceasing."†p.6.42 more cease → ceasing:stopping or discontinuing Show general definition to stop or discontinue
	2	top 500
scarcityshortage There is a scarcity of work in the region.more Show sample from book I searched the ravines for several days before I found it, trees being very scarce on the Island of the Blue Dolphins.†p.53.21 more scarcity → scarce:in short supply OR barely or hardly (by a small margin) Show general definition shortage (having an amount that is less than desired)
	2	top 500
warydistrustful She was taught to be wary of strangers.more Show sample from book Since no cows were playing among the waves in front of him, I knew that he did not have a herd of his own, and for that reason would not be so wary or quickly angered.†p.77.91 more careful, nervous, or distrustful Show general definition careful or nervous about something
	2	top 1000
ponderthink about The question the audience is left to ponder is...more Show sample from book Matasaip was silent, pondering the news.†p.31.81 more ponder → pondering:thinking deeply or carefully about Show general definition to think deeply or carefully about something
	2	top 1000
glimpsequick look I caught a glimpse of them at the game.more Show sample from book He was running with one of the packs of wild dogs, and though I caught only a glimpse of him, I was sure he was Rontu's son.†p.154.71 more a quick look or partial understanding Show general definition a quick look or partial understanding The exact meaning of glimpse can depend upon its context. For example: "I caught a glimpse of her when I was walking to class." -- a very quick look "I glimpsed at the headlines." -- looked quickly "Reading the book gave me a glimpse of the life of a devout Muslim immigrant in America." -- a quick, incomplete view
	1	top 500
perishbe destroyed or cease to exist ...government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.Abraham Lincoln — Gettysburg Addressmore Show sample from book These will be punished, for without the help of all, all must perish.†p.25.5 die, be destroyed, or cease to exist Show general definition to die -- especially in an unnatural way or: to be destroyed or cease to exist Show editor's word notes You may encounter an informal expression, "Perish the thought." It means that the speaker hopes the thought will cease to exist and the thing it represents will never happen.
	1	top 1000
heedheed → heedlessness:pay close attention to Heed the advice of those who have been there before.more Show context notes The suffix "-lessness" in heedlessness means in a state without. This is the same pattern you see in words like fearlessness, powerlessness, and harmlessness. Show sample from book The wild dogs had been to the house many times that winter and he had paid no heed to them, but the night before, after they had come and gone, he had stood at the fence.†p.102.6 pay close attention to; or do what is suggested Show general definition pay close attention to; or to do what is suggested -- especially with regard to a warning or other advice
	1	top 1000
solemnvery serious He took a solemn oath.more Show sample from book I asked solemnly.†p.42.8 solemn → solemnly:with seriousness and dignity Show general definition in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
	1	top 1000
reproachreproach → reproached:criticized and expressed disappointment She reproached him for treating his sister so thoughtlessly.more Show sample from book When he found that was all I had he swam around in circles, looking at me reproachfully.†p.143.3 reproach → reproachfully:in a manner that criticizes Show general definition a criticism; or to express criticism or disappointment -- especially where a relationship makes the disapproval result in disappointment or shame Show editor's word notes The expression "beyond reproach" is often used to indicate that one must not only be careful to do everything right, but must be careful not to do anything that might make people suspect they did something wrong. For example, politicians often need to behave in a manner that is beyond reproach. "Beyond reproach" can also suggest that something is perfect. More rarely, it can also be used to suggest that someone is too powerful or too well-connected to criticize.
	1	top 1000
clamorloud noise and/or persistent demands She ignored the clamor of the crowd.more Show sample from book At dawn when the clamor started again I left and went back to the headland.†p.68.1 Show general definition loud noise and/or persistent demands -- especially from human voice
	1	top 1000
beckonbeckon → beckoned:called With a nod of her head, she beckoned me to join them.more Show sample from book Beside them stood four white men and as we came down the trail, one of the men beckoned us to walk faster.p.35.7 beckon → beckoned:signaled (by using a hand gesture or a nod) Show general definition to call -- typically to ask or tell someone to come nearer by using a hand gesture or a nod of the head
	1	top 2000
serpentsnake There was a picture of a serpent eating its tail.more Show sample from book It was in the figure that we call a serpent, a star which shone green and which I knew.†p.60.3 Show general definition a snake
	40	top 2000
ravinedeep, narrow, steep-sided valley The car plunged into a 15-foot ravine.more Show sample from book I searched the ravines for several days before I found it, trees being very scarce on the Island of the Blue Dolphins.†p.53.139 more ravine → ravines:a deep, narrow, steep-sided gorge or valley Show general definition a deep, narrow, steep-sided gorge or valley -- especially one formed by running water
	2	top 2000
omena sign of what would happen The sudden appearance of a black cat was considered an omen of bad luck by the superstitious villagers.more Show sample from book Dolphins are animals of good omen.†p.63.61 more sign of something about to happen Show general definition a sign of something about to happen
	1	top 1000
forlornhopeless She energized the previously forlorn team.more Show sample from book I kept thinking over and over as I swam how I would punish Ramo when I reached the shore, yet when I felt the sand under my feet and saw him standing at the edge of the waves, holding his fishing spear and looking so forlorn, I forgot all those things I planned to do.†p.38.7 sad, hopeless, pitiful and/or abandoned Show general definition sad, hopeless, pitiful and/or abandoned
	1	top 2000
temperedtempered → even-tempered:not easily angered or upset She is patient and even-tempered.more Show sample from book Some distance separated the bulls from each other, for they are bad-tempered, very jealous by nature and quick to fight over anything that displeases them.p.77.3 tempered → bad-tempered:tending to get angry or annoyed easily Show general definition for tempered (as in: short-tempered) having a typical mood or temperament -- often in reference to how easily one is angered
	1
oblongan elongated shape The artist carefully painted an oblong shape on the canvas, using broad strokes to create a sense of movement.more Show sample from book Each one had eyes fashioned of round or oblong disks of abalone shell, but the rest of their faces were blank.†p.122.9 an elongated shape (having more length than width) Show general definition an elongated shape (having more length than width) -- typically of a stretched circle that is longer than an oval, but occasionally used to describe a rectangle
	1
aboundare plentiful In spring, the hillsides abound with bright wildflowers.more Show sample from book The women, who were never asked to do more than stay at home, cook food, and make clothing, now must take the place of the men and face the dangers which abound beyond the village.†p.25.4 abundant or plentiful Show general definition to be abundant or plentiful
	6	top 500
althougheven though -- used to connect contrasting ideas Although she knows a lot about the business, she still has a lot to learn from her mother.more Show sample from book Although the mouth of the cave was small, once you were inside, it spread out and you could stand up.†p.84.55 more Show general definition even though -- used to introduce an idea that contrasts with or makes the main statement surprising Show editor's word notes At the start of a sentence, although can play a role similar to words like however, yet, still, even so, on the other hand, or nonetheless—all of which signal contrast. In the middle of a sentence, although can sometimes be used where but or though might also work, but though or but often sound more natural. For example, "She's a great teacher, though not the most popular" is usually smoother than "She's a great teacher, although not the most popular."