Flowers for Algernon -- Novel — Vocabulary
Daniel Keyes
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
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intellectualrelated to intelligent use of logic and education
Your intellectual growth is going to outstrip your emotional growth.p.47.110 more
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The job pays my expenses, but it doesn't offer much intellectual stimulation.more
relating to the use of intelligence
Show general definition for intellectual (as in: intellectual stimulation) related to intelligence -- such as requiring, appealing to, or possessing intelligence
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proportionproportionout of proportion:appropriate range
Your anger is all out of proportion to what's happened.p.122.53 more
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She gets to ranting and loses all sense of proportion.more
appropriateness
Show general definition for proportion (as in: respond in proportion) appropriate in size, amount, or degree
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hypothesistheory or belief (based upon limited evidence)
The hypothesis here proved may be described most simply in the following terms: Artificially-induced intelligence deteriorates at a rate of time directly proportional to the quantity of the increase.p.255.14 more
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The study will test the hypothesis that a good marriage is more important than a higher income when measuring happiness.more
a seemingly reasonable, but unproven, idea
Show general definition for hypothesis (as in: a study to test her hypothesis) a seemingly reasonable, but unproven idea or explanation based upon known facts
Show editor's word notes In casual conversation, theory is a synonym for hypothesis, but a scientist would say that a hypothesis needs to pass rigorous tests before it could be accepted as a theory.
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erraticirregular or unpredictable
Algernon's behavior is becoming erratic again.p.214.15 more
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Her behavior became erratic and often argumentative.more
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deterioratedeterioratedeteriorates:gets worse
Artificially-induced intelligence deteriorates at a rate of time directly proportional to the quantity of the increase.p.255.15 more
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The situation could quickly deteriorate.more
become worse
Show general definition become worse
5
subconsciousmental activity of which we are not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior
Dr. Strauss says that it means I've reached a point where my subconscious is trying to block my conscious from remembering.p.50.14 more
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In the experiment, the image flashed too quickly to be seen consciously, but it impacted the subconscious.more
Show general definition mental activity of which one is not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior; or the part of the mind that engages in such activity
Show editor's word notes Though commonly used in daily conversation, the word subconscious is not used clinically. Where the layperson says subconscious, psychologists are likely to say unconscious mind.
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induceinduceinduced:caused
Artificially-induced intelligence deteriorates at a rate of time directly proportional to the quantity of the increase.p.255.11 more
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She was suffering from alcohol-induced stupidity.more
Show general definition for induce (as in: induce symptoms) to cause something to arise or happen
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directdirectdirectly:exactly
Artificially-induced intelligence deteriorates at a rate of time directly proportional to the quantity of the increase.p.255.19 more
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This flower does best in direct sunlight.more
without intervention from anything (in this case, not sun that is partially blocked or reflected)
Show general definition for direct (as in: directly above; or buy direct) without anything in between -- whether in time, space, or involvement
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direct#2directdirectly:in a straightforward (uncomplicated) manner
Strauss again brought up my need to speak and write simply and directly so that people will understand me.p.114.29 more
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I left them with direct instructions.more
straightforward
Show general definition for direct (as in: gave a direct answer) straightforward -- often clear, open, or blunt in speech or behavior
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direct#3directdirected:aimed or focused
The sudden memory shows him that his hatred is really directed at a depraved governess who had terrified him with frightening stories and left a flaw in his personality.p.77.49 more
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On the SAT test, some questions direct you to look at an underlined or numbered portion of a passage.more
instruct
Show general definition for direct (as in: direct a question; or direct a film) to guide, aim, or manage -- such as actions, attention, speech, a project or company
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consciousconsciousunconscious:in a state similar to sleep where one is not aware of anything
She blamed Matt for not watching me, for leaving us alone together, and she beat me with a strap until I was nearly unconscious.p.272.515 more
Show context notes The prefix "un-" in unconscious means not and reverses the meaning of conscious. This is the same pattern you see in words like unhappy, unknown, and unlucky.
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The operation can be done with local anesthetic, so the patient is still conscious.more
awake
Show general definition for conscious (as in: conscious after the operation) awake (not asleep or in a state similar to sleep where one is unaware of anything)
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conscious#2aware (and concerned about)
I didn't see much of the first picture because I was too conscious of her sitting next to me.p.76.415 more
Show context notes This book uses the word conscious in three related ways. All have to do with being aware. In this use, Charlie is not just aware, he is painfully aware or concerned about the impression he will make with a woman he's attracted to. Other sense used in this book include mental activity of which one is aware, and being awake--aware of one's surroundings.
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She prides herself on being socially conscious.more
aware and concerned
Show general definition for conscious (as in: environmentally conscious) aware or concerned about something
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conscious#3mental activity of which one is aware
Theres the SUBCONSCIOUS and the CONSCIOUS (thats how you spell it) and one dont tell the other what its doing.p.29.315 more
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In that kind of situation, there's no time for conscious thought. You just have to react instinctively.more
mental activity of which one is self-aware
Show general definition for conscious (as in: the conscious mind) mental activity of which one is self-aware
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IQIQI.Q.:measure of general intelligence
And I'm not talking about your I.Q. It's your attitude toward people—you're not the same kind of human being—p.122.711 more
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Conscientiousness is more important in this job than IQ.more
Show general definition a measure of general intelligence where a high score is considered a strength for many kinds of tasks
Show editor's word notes An average score = 100; 67% of people are between 85 and 115; 97.5% of people are between 70 and 130.
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artificialartificialartificially:done with human technology
The hypothesis here proved may be described most simply in the following terms: Artificially-induced intelligence deteriorates at a rate of time directly proportional to the quantity of the increase.p.255.12 more
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The plants look real, but they are artificial.more
made by humans
Show general definition for artificial (as in: an artificial heart) made by humans -- often to replace something that can be found in nature
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artificial#2not genuine (trying to impress)
He had always been straightforward with me—more so than most of the others—but when he described the white mouse who had been given intelligence, he was as pompous and artificial as the others.p.157.72 more
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She hated his artificial humility.more
not sincere
Show general definition for artificial (as in: an artificial smile) not sincere, pretended, or designed to impress
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proportionalrelated in amount
Artificially-induced intelligence deteriorates at a rate of time directly proportional to the quantity of the increase.p.255.1
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Salespeople at our company earn income proportional to their sales.more
Show general definition appropriate or related in size, amount, or degree
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laboratorylaboratorylab:workplace for scientific or medical research
I had been in the lab many times before this, but now I was here to learn everything it had to offer.p.216.850 more
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We've had success in the laboratory, but are a long way from treating patients.more
a workplace where people do scientific or medical research
Show general definition a workplace where people do scientific or medical research, or produce drugs or chemicals

or (as an adjective): related to such a place
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determinedfirm in purpose
Instead of the careful, determined movements down the maze corridors, his actions are rushed and out of control.p.214.91 more
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I'm determined to become a lawyer.more
firmly planning
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determinediscover
First there will have to be physical and mental tests to determine the causes of the pathology.p.137.51 more
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They are working to determine the cause of the accident.more
learn or discover
Show general definition for determine (as in: determined she is guilty) to learn, discover, or decide