A Long Walk to Water — Vocabulary
Linda Sue Park
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
22 top 2000
refugeerefugee → refugees:people who fled their homeland to getaway from a dangerous or difficult situation
We're asking for humanitarian aid to assist and resettle the refugees.more
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The refugee camp at hang was filled with people of all ages—men, women, girls, small children....But most of the refugees were boys and young men who had run away from their villages when the war came.†p.67.121 more
refugee → refugees:people who fled their homeland
Show general definition someone who has fled their homeland to getaway from a dangerous or difficult situation; or related to such people
3 top 1000
solemnvery serious
He took a solemn oath.more
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His face became very solemn when Salva told him that he had not seen nor heard a single word of his family in all that time.†p.35.22 more
very serious--possibly dignified
Show general definition in a very serious (and often dignified) manner
1 top 10
indicateindicate → indicated:pointed out (shown)
These maps are drawn with north to the top unless otherwise indicated.more
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There was not a thing to indicate that the group was making any progress at all across the desert.p.54.9
show
Show general definition to show (point out, demonstrate, express, or suggest)
Show editor's word notes The form, indicator can refer to many different kinds of things including intentional signals (such as a turn indicator), gauges (such as one that indicates pressure), or a measurement (such as an economic or chemical indicator).
2 top 1000
determinedfirmly planning
I'm determined to become a lawyer.more
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Then he caught up with the group, determined not to lag behind, not to complain, not to be any trouble to anyone.p.22.41 more
firm in purpose
Show general definition for determined (as in: is determined to succeed) firm in purpose
1 top 200
comprehendcomprehend → comprehends:fully understands
I don't think she comprehends how dangerous this has become.more
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His eyes read the words, but at first his brain could not comprehend them.†p.100.6
understand -- especially to understand it completely
Show general definition to understand something -- especially to understand it completely
1 top 500
earnestearnest → in earnest:in a serious manner
I began training in earnest the summer before high school.more
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If that didn't work, he would talk to them earnestly and try to persuade them.†p.76.9
earnest → earnestly:sincerely or seriously
Show general definition characterized by sincere belief

or:

intensely or excessively serious or determined
1 top 500
ceasestop
According to the treaty, all offensive military action will cease at midnight.more
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It was as if the people ceased to be people and instead became an enormous herd of panicked, stampeding two-legged creatures.†p.74.3
cease → ceased:stopped or discontinued
Show general definition to stop or discontinue
1 top 1000
immigrateimmigrate → immigrated:came to live (from another country)
About 1 of each 8 people in the United States immigrated from somewhere else.more
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In Kampala, it took him two days to get through customs and immigration before he could board a smaller plane to go to Juba, in southern Sudan.†p.102.1
immigrate → immigration:the act of coming to live in a new country; or indication that something is related to that act
Show general definition come to live in a new country
1 top 1000
bewilderconfuse
Some of their customs can bewilder travelers.more
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The first several weeks of Salva's new life were so bewildering that he was grateful for his studies.†p.98.6
bewilder → bewildering:confusing
Show general definition to confuse someone
1 top 1000
perilperil → perils:dangers
The mountaineers faced many perils on their ascent to the summit, including treacherous icefalls and avalanches.more
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Every group had stories of terrible peril: boys who had been hurt or killed by bullets or bombs, attacked by wild animals, or left behind because they were too weak or sick to keep up.†p.80.9
danger
Show general definition danger
1 top 1000
relentlesscontinues in an extreme manner without stopping
My headache is relentless.more
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The sun was relentless and eternal: There was neither wisp of cloud nor whiff of breeze for relief.p.52.7
continued without stopping in an extreme manner
Show general definition to continue without stopping in an extreme manner -- often of something that is harsh or oppressive
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recedediminish (decrease)
Interest in the story is beginning to recede.more
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Early that afternoon, they came across the first evidence that the desert was receding a few stunted trees near a shallow pool of muddy water.†p.61.6
recede → receding:moving away or diminishing (become less)
Show general definition to move away or diminish (become less)
The exact meaning of recede depends upon its context. For example:
  • "We can't move back in until the floodwaters recede." -- diminish and move away
  • "Her fear receded." -- diminished
  • "The waves first advance and then recede." -- move away
  • "The news story receded into the background as it was replaced by new stories." -- received diminished attention
  • "a receding hairline" -- diminished hair (each year the line where hair stops growing is higher on the forehead)
  • "She has a receding chin." -- sloping back (as contrasted to sticking out)
1 top 1000
coaxgently persuade
Although she has retired from public life, we are going to try to coax her to accept the award.more
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Salva would talk to them, encourage them, coax and persuade them.†p.81.5
try to obtain a result through gentle and careful effort
Show general definition for coax (as in: coax her to join us) try to obtain a result through gentle and careful effort -- often gentle persuasion
1 top 2000
chaosextreme confusion and disorder
The country entered a period of civil war and chaos.more
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Immediately, there was chaos.†p.74.3
a state of extreme confusion and disorder
Show general definition a state of extreme confusion and disorder
1 top 500
abundantpresent in great quantity
Farmers in the region enjoy good soil, moderate temperatures, and an abundant supply of water.more
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It was the first place in their weeks of walking that had an abundance of food.†p.47.2
abundant → abundance:large amount or quantity
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parcheddried out
Nothing will grow in this parched soil.more
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His lips became cracked and parched.†p.53.1
dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight; or very thirsty
Show general definition dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight; or very thirsty
1 top 1000
monotonouslacking variety and boring
We hope to replace people with robots for the most monotonous work.more
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The scenery and motion were so monotonous that Salva might have slept, except he was afraid that if he did, he might fall over the side.†p.46.7
lacking in variety and/or boring
Show general definition lacking in variety -- typically boring
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torrentan overwhelming amount
She screamed a torrent of abuse.more
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The rain, which was falling in torrents, added to the uproar.p.74.6
torrent → torrents:overwhelming amounts
Show general definition an overwhelming amount -- especially of quickly moving water
1 top 2000
ravageravage → ravaged:destroyed or badly damaged
Flames ravaged their home.more
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He felt sick at the thought of those men—first dying in such a horrible way, and then having even their corpses ravaged.†p.59.3
ravage → ravaged:destroyed or damaged
Show general definition to destroy or damage; or damaging effects
2 top 2000
IslamMuslim religion which is second most practiced in the world
Islam is predominant in northern Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan, and Indonesia.more
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But the people in the south were of different religions and did not want to be forced to practice Islam.p.6.91 more
the Muslim religion; second most practiced religion in the world
Show general definition the monotheistic religious system of Muslims founded in Arabia in the 7th century and based on the teachings of Muhammad as laid down in the Koran; the world's second most practiced religion