Soul Surfer — Vocabulary
Bethany Hamilton
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	3	top 1000
bizarreexceedingly unusual The paparazzi love her bizarre outfits and behavior.more Show sample from book It would have seemed too bizarre to be true.†p.xv.82 more exceedingly odd or unusual Show general definition for bizarre (as in: is bizarre) exceedingly odd or unusual
	2	top 1000
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 I remember his face and the compassion in his voice.†p.77.31 more Show general definition sympathy for another's suffering and wanting to help
	3	top 2000
monka male member of a religious order typically living under vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience The Tibetan monk wore an orange robe.more Show sample from book Tom and Monk started surfing together as little kids, around age thirteen and fourteen, in the summer of 1962.†p.20.82 more a male member of a religious order typically living under vows of poverty, chast…
	2	top 1000
intimidateintimidate → intimidated:made afraid (of being inadequate) I was intimidated on my first day at the job, but I'm comfortable now.more Show sample from book A lot of young kids get intimidated when the surf starts getting huge.†p.41.31 more intimidate → intimidated:fearful or threatened Show general definition to cause fear, nervousness, or a sense of inadequacy
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motivatemake someone want to do something We pay low salary, but high commission to motivate our salespeople to work hard and smart.more Show sample from book I think it's truthful, and I hope it inspires and motivates people to tackle any obstacles in their lives.†p.xiv.91 more motivate → motivates:makes someone want to do something Show general definition to make someone want to do something
	1	top 100
focusarea where attention is concentrated Since we're running out of time, let's narrow our focus to just what needs to be done tomorrow.more Show sample from book "You've lost your arm, Bethany," he said gently, "now the focus is on saving your life."†p.97.6more where attention is concentrated Show general definition for focus (as in: The focus of our study is...) where attention is concentrated or directed
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phenomenonsomething that is of special interest It is a growing social phenomenon on high school campuses.more Show sample from book Then he'd find the nerves and cut them, causing them to retract and reduce the potential for the phenomenon called phantom pain—the sharp feeling of ache in a portion of a limb that no longer exists in reality but still sends signals to the brain.†p.98.1 something that exists or happened -- often of special interest Show general definition something that exists or happened -- especially something of special interest -- sometimes someone or something that is extraordinary Show editor's word notes "Phenomenons" and "phenomena" are both appropriate plural forms of this noun. "Phenomena" is generally used in scientific or philosophical contexts.
	2	top 2000
intrusionunwelcome involvement It is an unnecessary government intrusion into private affairs.more Show sample from book Many of the older surfers resented the sudden influx of "kooks" and "gremmies"— names given to pretenders, beginners, or wannabes—as well as the crowding of their surf spots and the intrusion into their simple, relaxed lifestyle.†p.127.61 more an interruption or involvement that is unwelcome Show general definition an involvement or interruption that is unwelcome
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adrenalineadrenaline → adrenaline junkie:“fight or flight” stimulating hormone She's an adrenaline junkie. She loves the rush that comes from roller coasters, skydiving, and big waves.more Show sample from book The waves were big and I could feel the adrenaline rush.†p.41.31 more adrenaline → adrenaline rush:the intense feeling that comes from an increase in the "fight or flight" hormone Show general definition “fight or flight” stimulating hormone secreted by the adrenal gland in response to stress (making the body feel excited and ready for action) Show editor's word notes Doctors are more likely to use the term epinephrine (possibly shortened to epi or EP). Adrenalin as a proper noun without the ending "e" is a trademark name for the same chemical.
	1	top 200
ornatehaving lots of decorative detail The hotel is decorated with ornate furniture, lots of carved designs, and gold leaf gilding.more Show sample from book As my mom reached the ornate fountain that marks the entryway into our Princeville community, they heard the wail of sirens approaching.†p.88.1 Show general definition highly decorative or elaborate in style — whether in appearance (with lots of detail) or in language that sounds flowery and overly complicated
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skepticaldoubtful I am skeptical about her plan.more Show sample from book "Come on, what's really going on?" she said, skeptically.†p.84.5 skeptical → skeptically:in a doubtful manner (regarding the truth of something) Show general definition doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile) or more rarely: generally tending to doubt what others believe
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optimisticexpecting the best I'm optimistic that I'll get into a good college.more Show sample from book He also was optimistic that I would be able to compensate well with one arm in the future.†p.99.7 expecting the best; OR focusing on the good part of things Show general definition expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
	1	top 500
entityperson or organization The law applies to any legal entity that can enter into a contract.more Show sample from book Some, like Hang Ten, Quiksilver, Rip Curl, and Ocean Pacific would become powerful business entities through the surfing culture.†p.128.9 entity → entities:people, organizations, lifeforms, or things that exist separately Show general definition a person, organization, lifeform, or anything with a separate existence
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approachmethod (way of doing something) Perhaps I just need to work harder, but I may need an entirely different approach to the problem.more Show sample from book Before a heat, we sit and watch the waves coming into shore, and then we discuss my best approach.p.186.8more way of doing something Show general definition for approach (as in: use the best approach) a way of doing something; or a route that leads to a particular place
	2	top 2000
prosperprosper → prospering:doing well She is prospering at school.more Show sample from book She told him that she had prayed for God to give her a message for our family, and a small verse from the Old Testament zipped into her mind: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."†p.87.11 more do well Show general definition to do well or to grow stronger
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critiqueanalyze and judge Please critique the performance.more Show sample from book Russell critiqued us on our riding style, performance, even head placement (the head is the heaviest part of the body, and putting it in the right place makes a difference in drive and speed down a wave).†p.185.7 critique → critiqued:an examination and judgment of something Show general definition an examination and judgment of something
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inconsistentnot the same at different times Her play is inconsistent. Sometimes she's unbeatable and other times she beats herself.more Show sample from book The waves were small and inconsistent, and I was just kind of rolling along with them, relaxing on my board with my right hand on the nose of the board and my left arm dangling in the cool water.†p.3.6 not the same in different parts or at different times… Show general definition not the same in different parts or at different times or: not in agreement [with something else]
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avidenthusiastic She's an avid sports fan.more Show sample from book Dr. Pierce—an avid surfer himself who knew me well through our sport and also our church—later told me he had a premonition that it was me.†p.95.9 enthusiastic or strongly interested Show general definition enthusiastic or strongly interested
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dormantnot active, but capable of activity in the future We hiked on a dormant volcano.more Show sample from book But early in rainy season he learned his first lesson: The ditch was really a dormant riverbed, and when he returned from surfing he found that his "home" and all of his belongings had been washed away!†p.25.6 not active or growing, but capable of doing so in the future Show general definition not active or growing, but capable of doing so in the future
	1	top 2000
adventarrival or beginning The advent of the internet changed how people communicate around the world.more Show sample from book While the war slowed the growth of surfing, it was the technology coming out of the war effort that in the end helped to give the sport a new boost, as it led to the advent of lightweight surfboards.p.127.1 arrival Show general definition for advent (as in: the advent of) an arrival or beginning -- especially of something important or significant