I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005 — Vocabulary
Lauren Tarshis
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
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commotiondisturbance
I looked up to see what caused the commotion.more
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And in all that commotion, Dad had just sat there, reading his book.†p.37.7
noisy disturbance
Show general definition a disturbance -- typically noisy
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debrispieces of something that has been destroyed; or trash that is lying around
She swept up the debris.more
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Something poked up in the middle of the debris but then disappeared.†p.72.5
Show general definition pieces of something that has been destroyed; or trash that is lying around
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mandatoryrequired by law
In our state, the mandatory minimum sentence for a gun crime is ten years.more
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There's a mandatory evacuation.†p.12.8
required by rule or law
Show general definition for mandatory (as in: it is mandatory) required by rule or law
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interstatefreeway, or highway that runs between states
There was an accident on the interstate.more
Show context notes When a word begins with the prefix, "inter-", the prefix often means between. In this case, interstate means between different states. Interstate is often used as an abbreviation for interstate highway, a highway that runs between states. It has also come to mean freeway in a place like Hawaii where no major highway connects to another state.
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They sped toward Interstate 10, but the closer they got, the heavier the traffic became.†p.28.9
freeway, or highway that runs between states…
Show context notes When a word begins with the prefix, "inter-", the prefix often means between. In this case, interstate means between different states. Interstate is often used as an abbreviation for interstate highway, a highway that runs between states. It has also come to mean freeway in a place like Hawaii where no major highway connects to another state.
Show general definition for interstate (as in: interstate commerce) freeway, or highway that runs between states

or:

relating to the mutual relations between states -- especially of the United States
Show editor's word notes Note that interstate is often contrasted with intrastate. An intrastate highway is used to move from one location in a state to another, rather than to move between states. Similarly, interstate commerce is business between states; whereas intrastate commerce affects a state without affecting other states. Under the U.S. Constitution, the interstate/intrastate distinction is important  when determining when the federal government has authority to override state government.
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acclaimacclaim → acclaimed:popularly and enthusiastically praised
It's a critically acclaimed movie.more
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The next day was the deadline for Acclaim Comic Books' "Create a Superhero" contest.†p.5.23 more
enthusiastic public praise
Show general definition to praise enthusiastically and publicly -- sometimes choosing without opposition or a formal vote
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focusconcentrate
I find that studying in the library helps me to focus.more
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As for Barry, he was totally focused on Akivo.p.15.9
focus → focused:concentrating
Show general definition for focus (as in: Turn your focus to question #2.) to direct attention or effort toward a single thing; or the ability to do so without getting distracted
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massivevery large
The entrance has massive brass doors.more
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A massive shadow loomed over him.†p.57.7
Show general definition very large in size, number, or effect