Shingaling — Vocabulary
R. J. Palacio
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Exemplary sample Uses ACT/SAT
32
accordioncharacterized by narrower parallel folds when closed and wider when open
An accordion wall can be closed to divide the room.†more
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In the wintertime, I always asked my mom for two dollars to drop into his accordion case instead of just one.†p.182.731 more
Show general definition for accordion (as in: an accordion door) characterized by narrower parallel folds when closed and wider when open -- such as a door or musical instrument with that characteristic
Show editor's word notes When unqualified, accordion generally refers to a musical instrument.

See the related Google Images to see pictures of the musical instrument, doors, folds, and pleats that have accordion characteristics.
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incredulousdifficult to believe
I find it incredulous that you believe she is sincere.more
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Ximena asked incredulously.†p.223.51 more
incredulous → incredulously:with disbelief; or with difficulty accepting something so unexpected
Show general definition unbelieving; or having difficulty accepting something so unexpected
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narrativeStory
He titled his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.more
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This lack of artifice owes as much to the rousing arrangement of songs, which blend seamlessly together, as it does to Echevarri's poignant narrative.†p.241.91 more
story
Show general definition for narrative (as in: Narrative of the Life of...) a story; or related to a story
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adaptadapt → adapted:changed (to fit this situation)
Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.more
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I'm adapting a piece I choreographed years ago, which had gotten considerable attention at the time, I don't mind saying.†p.202.3
adapt → adapting:changing to fit a different situation
Show general definition for adapt (as in: adapted to the new rules) changed to fit a different situation; or made suitable
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remorseregret for doing something wrong
There was no sign of remorse until the police caught her.more
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The longest conversation we'd ever had was back in December, in Ms. Rubin's class, when she asked me—without a shred of remorse—if I would mind switching partners with her so she could be paired up with Savanna.†p.214.71 more
deep regret for doing something that was wrong
Show general definition a feeling of deep regret for doing something that was wrong
Show editor's word notes Synonym comparison (if you're into word choice):

Many consider the word remorse stronger than the word regret. Also, it is more personal. One might regret that their team lost the game, but feel remorse that they missed the bus and weren't there to help the team.
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mischievousplayfully causing minor trouble
The mischievous puppy kept stealing socks and hiding them under the couch.more
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She almost couldn't help looking mischievous.†p.218.81 more
playfully causing minor trouble; OR  describing the smile of someone doing so
Show general definition playfully causing minor trouble; or describing the smile of someone doing so
Show editor's word notes Much less commonly, mischievous can reference real harm without any sense of fun. But in modern writing, that usage has largely shifted to other words like malicious, destructive, or damaging.
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contradictdisagree with
Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more
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Ellie never says anything to contradict Savanna.†p.258.1
disagree
Show general definition disagree
in various senses, including:
  • to say something is not true -- as in "She contradicted his testimony."
  • to say something else is true when both can't be true -- as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened."
  • to be in conflict with -- as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
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varybe different
Your mileage may vary.more
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Around the room, the kids from the jazz ensemble and choir stood up with varying degrees of willingness and shyness.†p.284.1
vary → varying:differing; or changing
Show general definition to be different, or to change
Show editor's word notes Vary is often used to describe small differences or changes--especially about things of the same type. It would be more common to say "The weight of full-grown elephants varies depending upon diet and other factors," than to say "The weight of elephants varies from that of mice."
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rouserouse → roused:awakened
A persistent knocking at the door finally roused her from her dreams.more
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This lack of artifice owes as much to the rousing arrangement of songs, which blend seamlessly together, as it does to Echevarri's poignant narrative.†p.241.91 more
rouse → rousing:to awaken, make more active, or excite
Show general definition to awaken, make more active, or excite
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innovateinnovate → innovative:introducing things that are new and different
Apple is considered one of the most innovative companies.more
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Chock-full of breathtaking leaps and innovative steps that belie Ms. Echevarri's own training in the classical style, the work takes one particular dance, the shingaling, and creates a visual narrative through which the rest of the work weaves.†p.240.4
innovate → innovative:new and different
Show general definition bring something new to an environment
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indifferentwithout interest
About a third are in favor of the change, a third are opposed, and a third are indifferent.more
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"We'll figure out some other time," Ximena answered indifferently.†p.217.7
indifferent → indifferently:in a manner that is without interest
Show general definition without interest
in various senses, including:
  • unconcerned -- as in "She is indifferent to what is served to eat."
  • unsympathetic -- as in "She is indifferent to his needs."
  • not of good quality (which may imply average or poor quality depending upon context) -- as in "an indifferent performance"
  • impartial -- as in "We need a judge who is indifferent."
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ecstaticecstatic → ecstatically:with feelings of intense happiness
They are ecstatically in love.more
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Ecstatic!†p.210.5
feeling intense happiness and excitement
Show general definition feeling intense happiness and excitement (as when in a state of ecstasy)
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obliviousunaware of
She is oblivious to the dangers.more
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This time around, Ximena, Gretchen, and Ellie were talking together, completely oblivious to me.†p.213.5
Show general definition unaware of
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accustomaccustom → accustomed to:used to (have adapted to and have an expectation of)
In the United States we're accustomed to forming our own opinion about the promises of advertisements and politicians.more
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I guess I got so accustomed to seeing him, I didn't really think about his foggy eyes or if he had superpowers.†p.183.6
accustom → accustomed to:used to (adapted to something, so it seems normal)
Show general definition to make someone used to something

(used to is an expression that means someone has adapted to something, so it does not seem unusual)
Show editor's word notes In professional environments, you may make a better impression by saying one is accustomed to something rather than one is used to something.
2
ensemblegroup performing together
The jazz ensemble performed a lively set that got the audience clapping along.more
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Around the room, the kids from the jazz ensemble and choir stood up with varying degrees of willingness and shyness.†p.283.91 more
a group of parts considered as a whole
Show general definition a group of people or things working or appearing together in a coordinated way -- especially a group of performers or a matching outfit
Show editor's word notes The pronunciation is derived from French. The first syllable sounds like "on". The second syllable sounds like "sahm".
2
genregenre → genres:styles
It was an unusual mix of art that represented both landscape and abstract genres.more
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It's the one dance that intersects every genre.†p.240.81 more
style or kind
Show general definition a category or style - especially in the arts
2
meteormeteor → meteors:a streak of light in the night sky that results from a space rock burning in the earth's atmosphere
Most meteors come from rocks that are about the size of a pebble.more
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There was this one illustration of a meteor streaking across the sky over the heads of the triceratops.†p.252.11 more
a streak of light in the sky caused by a small space rock burning up in Earth’s atmosphere
Show general definition a streak of light in the sky caused by a small space rock (a meteoroid) burning up in Earth’s atmosphere
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validategive evidence for the truth of something
To further validate their results, researchers did a larger study the following year.more
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And I want him to have validation that this year was a triumph for him.†p.296.2
validate → validation:give evidence for the truth or value of; OR  declare as legally approved
Show general definition give evidence for the truth or value of; or declare as legally approved
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impartialwithout favoritism or bias
An impartial judge is necessary for a fair trial.more
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"Well, she does have the best grades of anyone," I answered, trying to sound as impartial as possible.†p.266.2
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poignantarousing deep emotion
It is a poignant story about a girl who is paralyzed in a car accident.more
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This lack of artifice owes as much to the rousing arrangement of songs, which blend seamlessly together, as it does to Echevarri's poignant narrative.†p.241.9
sharp or intense
Show general definition sharp or intense -- typically arousing deep emotion such as sadness, but possibly having or creating a sharp smell, taste, or insight