Sunday, January 16, 2011

Vocabulary From the Practice AP Exam

Supercilious - adj. Behaving or looking as if one thinks he is superior to others
Mr. Collin's supercilious attitude annoyed the people around him.

Duplicitous - adj. Deceitful
The duplicitous politician lost the people's trust immediately

Capricious - adj. Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior
Girls are often criticized for their capriciousness.

Fickle - adj. Changing frequently, esp. regarding one's loyalties, interests, or affections.
The fickle boy was soon found out for what he was - a player.

Transience - adj. Lasting only for a short time
The transience sun was followed by the rain.
Parsing - verb. To analyze
I parsed the poem for a clue as to what it meant.

Malign-. adj. - evil in nature or effect; verb - speak out about someone in a critical manner
Some Vegetarians dislike meat, because of the malign way in which some animals are killed.

Exhortation - noun. an address or communication, urging someone to do something
The exhortation delivered by the school's president was so severe, that most of the group decided to follow through with his idea.

Eminent - adj. used to emphasize the presence of a positive quality
Mary's way of talking was so eminent, many people stopped whatever they were doing, just to give her their full attention.
Inept - adj. clumsy
John was so inept, he frequently received scoldings for falling down the stairs.

Ardently - (This word was used in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice) - enthusiastic or
passionate
After a period of time, Mr. Darcy loved Elizabeth most ardently.

Brusque - adj. abrupt or off hand in speech or manner
Sometimes I feel quite brusque when I have to tell my little brother to wash his hands before supper, for the millionth time!

Vindictiveness - adj. having or showing a strong desire for revenge
The vindictiveness of Hamlet led to the death of many people, including himself.

Didactic - adj. intended to teach; in the manner of a teacher, esp. in a patronizing way
The lecture was given so didactically, many students felt stressed afterwards.

Ascetic - adj. characterization of severe self-discipline and abstentation
Nuns must have ascetic characters, otherwise they would constantly sin.

Camaraderie - noun. Mutual trust and friendship
My camaraderie and I enjoy each others company so much, we spend almost every weekend together.

Despondency - noun. a state of low spirits caused by loss of hope or courage
Sometimes after falling off the beam, I feel a sense of despondency

Elegy - noun. a poem of serious reflecton
The elegy was so confusing, you could barely understand what the reflection was about.

Annihilation - (annihilate)verb. to destroy utterly
The AP Literature exam will be annihilated by the super smart students of Mr. Tangen.

Plight - a dangerous, difficult, situation
The plight of a student's every day life is very strenuous.

Pastoral - to give spiritual guidance
My mother often finds it necessary for pastoral speeches.

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