Flowers for Algernon -- Novel — Vocabulary
Daniel Keyes
(Edited)
| Book sample | Uses | ACT/SAT |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | top 2000 | |
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intellectual
Your intellectual growth is going to outstrip your emotional growth.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)The job pays my expenses, but it doesn't offer much intellectual stimulation.more
Show general definition for intellectual (as in: intellectual stimulation)related to intelligence -- such as requiring, appealing to, or possessing intelligence |
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| 3 | top 1000 | |
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proportion
Your anger is all out of proportion to what's happened.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)She gets to ranting and loses all sense of proportion.more
Show general definition for proportion (as in: respond in proportion)appropriate in size, amount, or degree |
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| 5 | top 100 | |
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hypothesis
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.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)The study will test the hypothesis that a good marriage is more important than a higher income when measuring happiness.more
Show general definition for hypothesis (as in: a study to test her hypothesis)a seemingly reasonable, but unproven idea or explanation based upon known factsShow editor's word notesIn 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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| 6 | top 500 | |
Show exemplary sample (not from book)Her behavior became erratic and often argumentative.more
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| 6 | top 2000 | |
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deteriorate
Artificially-induced intelligence deteriorates at a rate of time directly proportional to the quantity of the increase.
Show general definitionbecome worse |
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| 5 | ||
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subconscious
Dr. Strauss says that it means I've reached a point where my subconscious is trying to block my conscious from remembering.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)In the experiment, the image flashed too quickly to be seen consciously, but it impacted the subconscious.more
Show general definitionmental activity of which one is not aware, but which can influence feelings and behavior; or the part of the mind that engages in such activityShow editor's word notesThough 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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| 2 | top 1000 | |
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induce
Artificially-induced intelligence deteriorates at a rate of time directly proportional to the quantity of the increase.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)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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| 6 | top 2000 | |
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direct
Artificially-induced intelligence deteriorates at a rate of time directly proportional to the quantity of the increase.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)This flower does best in direct sunlight.more
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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| 1 | top 100 | |
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direct#2
Strauss again brought up my need to speak and write simply and directly so that people will understand me.
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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| 3 | top 100 | |
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direct#3
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.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)On the SAT test, some questions direct you to look at an underlined or numbered portion of a passage.more
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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| 1 | top 1000 | |
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conscious
She blamed Matt for not watching me, for leaving us alone together, and she beat me with a strap until I was nearly unconscious.
Show context notesThe 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.Show exemplary sample (not from book)The operation can be done with local anesthetic, so the patient is still conscious.more
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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| 2 | top 1000 | |
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conscious#2
I didn't see much of the first picture because I was too conscious of her sitting next to me.
Show context notesThis 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.Show exemplary sample (not from book)She prides herself on being socially conscious.more
Show general definition for conscious (as in: environmentally conscious)aware or concerned about something |
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| 12 | top 1000 | |
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conscious#3
Theres the SUBCONSCIOUS and the CONSCIOUS (thats how you spell it) and one dont tell the other what its doing.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)In that kind of situation, there's no time for conscious thought. You just have to react instinctively.more
Show general definition for conscious (as in: the conscious mind)mental activity of which one is self-aware |
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| 12 | top 2000 | |
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IQ
And I'm not talking about your I.Q. It's your attitude toward people—you're not the same kind of human being—
Show exemplary sample (not from book)Conscientiousness is more important in this job than IQ.more
Show general definitiona measure of general intelligence where a high score is considered a strength for many kinds of tasksShow editor's word notesAn average score = 100; 67% of people are between 85 and 115; 97.5% of people are between 70 and 130. |
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| 2 | top 500 | |
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artificial
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.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)The plants look real, but they are artificial.more
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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| 1 | top 500 | |
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artificial#2
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.
Show general definition for artificial (as in: an artificial smile)not sincere, pretended, or designed to impress |
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| 1 | top 200 | |
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proportional
Artificially-induced intelligence deteriorates at a rate of time directly proportional to the quantity of the increase.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)Salespeople at our company earn income proportional to their sales.more
Show general definitionappropriate or related in size, amount, or degree |
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| 51 | top 1000 | |
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laboratory
I had been in the lab many times before this, but now I was here to learn everything it had to offer.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)We've had success in the laboratory, but are a long way from treating patients.more
Show general definitiona workplace where people do scientific or medical research, or produce drugs or chemicalsor (as an adjective): related to such a place |
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| 1 | top 1000 | |
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determined
Instead of the careful, determined movements down the maze corridors, his actions are rushed and out of control.
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| 1 | top 10 | |
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determine
First there will have to be physical and mental tests to determine the causes of the pathology.
Show exemplary sample (not from book)They are working to determine the cause of the accident.more
Show general definition for determine (as in: determined she is guilty)to learn, discover, or decide |
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