Content / User Guidelines
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Some Favorite Links:
- www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html The GENUINE CollegeBoard site gives basic info. about format, use, and administration of the test. It also offers opportunities for practical practice. (Scroll down past links for messages and VocabuTales!)
- www.number2.com BEST test prep site in class! MUST DO FOR WORKSHOP!
- www.quizlab.com For a plethora of practice, check out our quiz file at FUNBRAIN.COM's Quizlab. The magic word is 04psatws. MUST DO!
- www.vocabulary.com/AOLtopsatwords12.html VERBAL: VOCABULARY UNIVERSITY has lots of useful related pages. This is the source of ROOTONYMS.
- www.nytimes.com/learning/students/satofday/index.html Daily workout TEST PREP question-a-day from the New York Times.
- www.miniclip.com/games/dancing-bush/en/ THE DANCIN' DUBYA!
- library.thinkquest.org/16284/satact.htm MATH: If you run into problems and need review, this site features links to crash courses in algebra and geometry!
- www.mathwright.com/lr_default.htm For SERIOUS MATHLETES ONLY- INTERACTIVE math texts , but program downloads required for demos!
- PSAT Self-assessment Previews online course with free self-assessment modules in math, critical reading, and writing by skill!
- education.yahoo.com/college/essentials/practice_tests/psat/;_ylt=AjXEam_Ft2rbnYj6785FYpPDw8kF YAHOO - If link DOESN'T WORK, cut and paste the URL. Then it will!
- LAVAMIND FREE ONLINE STUDY CENTER with tactics,tutorials, resources, andpractice quizzes on EVERYTHING!
- sat.saab.org/sat.cgi Email quiz results to us for CREDIT!!!!
- INTERACTIVE GRAMMAR QUIZZES Click here for practical writing practice.
- SPARK NOTES 1000 Most Common SAT Words
- www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/newsat/chapter15section4.rhtml SPARK NOTES 250 Toughest Words on the SAT
- grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/notorious.htm PERNICIOUS PAIRS - NOTABLE CONFUSABLES + online quizzes!
- PPT Page on SHIVERS'S Website Download MVP Vocabulary here!
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THURSDAY (7/17/08)
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1. prep for FINAL JEOPARDY!
2. Finish "MOVE IT" (Do NOW Vocabulary)
3. Work vocab. & online!
4. Study Pernicious Pairs & SC Tactics.
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Dear PERSPICACIOUS PSATer:
One thing PSAT Workshops lack is LONGEVITY (long life). They seem LILLIPUTIAN (minute, extremely small) in comparison with regular school, don’t they? We LAMENT (mourn, grieve) their EPHEMERAL (quickly passing, transient) nature, and we LOATHE (detest) losing you. As somebody named Will once noted, Parting is INDEED such sweet sorrow! Let us CAPITALIZE (take advantage of, make the most of) the brief time together which remains.
We can hardly wait for the morrow when you showcase your voluminous vocabularies and scintillating wit in staed vignettes! Remember, we plan to preseve your performance for posterity through photography!
And now for tonight’s bedtime VocabuTale here’s........
An Open and Frank Note from the Authors
With such words in this list as LEWD (indecent, obscene) , LICENTIOUS (immoral, morally wild or sexually unrestrained), and LECHEROUS (lewd, lustful) in the L’s, you’re probably looking forward to a great story. Well, you won’t find one here, but not because we were too LACKADAISICAL (uncaring, lacking in interest or spirit) or LANGUID ((lacking energy, weak). We actually did write a pretty LASCIVIOUS (lusty, lewd) one, but instead of LAUDING (praising) it, the editor LOATHED (hated) it. After she read it, she LITHELY (gracefully, supplely, limberly) LAMBASTED (thrashed, mauled, beat, whipped, or bludgeoned with big things and other than fun stuff; to scold sharply or rebuke) us with LETHAL (deadly) cans of lima beans ( We suspect they were obtained through LARCENY), lacerating our ligaments. This made us a bit LUGUBRIOUS (mournful or sad), but we were willing to LUCUBRATE (study hard and in a scholarly fashion) some more and come up with a new story. But when she LACONICALLY (briefly, tersely, concisely, succinctly) called us ‘LIMACINE (pertaining to or resembling a slug -- This word won’t be on the test, but you may find it useful, particularly if you have younger siblings) idiots,” we left, suddenly overcome by our LATENT (potential but not yet displayed) LETHARGY (sluggishness, indifference), LANGUOR (sluggishness, lack of energy), and LASSITUDE (listlessness, state of exhaustion or weakness). And so, in protest, we didn’t do an L story. Humblest apologies. We hope you will forgive us.
from Berger, Larry et al. Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the SAT. New York: Workman, 1998.
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WEDNESDAY (7/16/08)
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ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Study ALL Pernicious Pairs!
2. YELLOW Sheet - MATH!
3 SENTENCE COMPLETION Blues (2 sheets)
4. Learn skit lines.
5. Work ONLINE.
Dear PERSPICACIOUS PSATer,
I'm afraid your RACONTEURS are a bit LACONIC (of few words) tonight. Tonight's tale is the tale of the JADED JINGOIST. It's CONCISE, SUCCINCT, yes, even TERSE, but not PROSAIC or PEDESTRIAN in the least!
For the CLASSIC poop (or EXCREMENT for those of you with SCATALOGICAL fixations) on the ULTIMATE JADED JINGOIST, go to Blockbuster and rent Citizen Kane, Orson Wells' masterpiece based on the life of William Randolph Hearst, America's most famous jingoist.
Well-educated people "in the know" experience no PERPLEXITY when other equally well-versed individuals ALLUDE to "ROSEBUD." If you don't "get it," read this first for your vocabulary's sake, then rush right out to get IT (Citizen Kane) for cultural literacy's sake! If you'd like to read more about this LANDMARK film, this cinematic WATERSHED, go to
http://www.filmsite.org/citi.html. If you'd like to borrow a copy of the video, come by Room A-186.
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CRIME DOESN'T PAY .........brought to you by the letters J and K!
The JINGOIST (extreme patriot) became JADED (wearied, especially by too much of the good life). He didn't feel as JOCOSE (merry, joking), JOCULAR (jolly, joking), or JOCUND (merry, jolly) as he once did. Eventually, he turned to KNAVERY (dishonest, mischievous dealing) , robbing from KIOSKS (pavilion or small open booth where items are bought or sold). It was KISMET (fate)that he got caught. It takes a little KEN (range of knowledge) to be a KLEPTOMANIAC (compulsive thief) -- a lesson for us all!
from Berger, Larry et al. Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the SAT. New York: Workman, 1998.
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TUESDAY (7/15/08)
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ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Learn you lines for the SKIT!
2. SENTENCE COMPLETION Blues! Be ready to go over Sec. 1 & 3 on test.
3. Study #1-50 on PERNICIOUS PAIRS.
4. Work that VOCAB. ONLINE, CARDS, etc! Tonight's VocabuTale features some NOTABLE (if not EMINENT in this case -- the title IS "6 Irascible Fools") PSATers. Perhaps you; certainly your COLLEAGUES!
5. Geometry ball is coming. Learn those formulas!
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FELICITATIONS, PERSPICACIOUS PSAT Scholars,
Let this message be absolutely PERSPICUOUS! If you wish to avoid an IMPASSE on your CRITICAL READING PSAT, you must be an INDOMITABLE student with an INSATIABLE intellectual appetite and an IMPECCABLE vocabulary! You also need to be INDEFATIGABLE in your efforts at mastering group dynamics. (Remember.....performance date for skits by EMINENT students = IMMINENT! Here’s hoping that the light of verbal excellence will EMINATE from you all!)
SIX IRASCIBLE FOOLS
Bria, Sonum, Zack, Drew, Landin, and Mark were traveling INCOGNITO (in disguise) in the INCOMMODIOUS (lacking space, not commodious) bus. They had reached an IMPASSE (dead end) in their INDOMITABLE (unconquerable, impossible to dominate) attempts to think of sentences for the PSAT "I's" and were nearly INSENSATE (unconscious, lacking sensation) with INDOLENCE (laziness).
"Hey, Mark, do you have any INGENIOUS (original, resourceful) ideas for 'INSCRUTABLE (enigmatic, difficult to understand),' you INEPT (incompetent) fool?" Zack inquired.
Mark's face remained IMPASSIVE (without emotion, expressionless). "You know you're just INCITING (arousing, instigating) me to anger with your INSIPID (lacking excitement, VAPID) INVECTIVE (abusive put-down). If you continue this IMPROPRIETY (improper, without displaying propriety) , this INVIDIOUS (offensive, making people angry) behavior, I'll become IRASCIBLE (easily provoked, irritable)."
"Are we to infer that you are questioning Zack’s IMPECCABLE (flawless and faultless) integrity by implying that he acted in an IGNOBLE (not noble) manner?" Bria interjected INGENUOUSLY (innocently, showing childlike simplicity) "I'm sure he couldn't stand the IGNOMINY (dishonor, disgrace)."
"If you all don't shut up, I'll be forced to IMPALE (to pierce with a sharp stake or point) you. Especially since you IMBIBED (drank in, absorbed) my iodine," Sonum shouted.
"There seems to be an INSIDIOUS (working or spreading stealthily, sneaking inside to do something bad -- NOT to be confused with "INVIDIOUS") force at work among us," Drew added. "Our INCONTROVERTIBLY (indisputably) INSATIABLE (impossible to satisfy) desire to help our fellow PSAT scholars is failing!"
"But what, ho!" Landin exclaimed. "I believe our destination is IMMINENT (about to occur, impending)."
So the bus stopped, and they got off, continuing to argue INCESSANTLY (nonstop, ceaselessly).
adapted from Berger, Larry et al. Up Your Score: The Undergrounnd Guide to the Sat. New York: Workman, 1998.
INCESSANTLY yours,
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MONDAY (7/14/08)
FOOD ALERT: Group #10 -- The Fresh Prince of Wal-Mart -- Don't forget the SUCCULENT MORSELS for our break-time REPAST!
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ASSIGNMENT:
1. Finish SKIT script for turn-in (digital and hard copies).
2. USAGE Take-Home test.
3. OBLIVIOUS - Episode #2,
4. Work that VOCAB!!!! (We don't want another ABYSMAL Joepardy performance!)
5. Prepare to IMPERSONATE one of the PEOPLE YOU MEET ON THE PSAT and to recognize 46 others!
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Dear PERSPICACIOUS PSATer,
KUDOS and PLAUDITS to THUNDERCATS, HO! for DOMINATING today's Vocabulary Jeopardy. The vocabulary DREGS (leftovers at the bottom of the bottle) need to get crackin'!
On to Vocabulary Tale H. . . .After you've read about the ill-fated HOMILY (sermonlike speech) of the HIRSUIT (hairy) priest below,
Remember that merely desiring (even EARNESTLY) a spiking score will not SUFFICE (be sufficient or enough). To achieve a point PRECIPICE (high point, brink), you must exert the INDOMITABLE (that which cannot be controlled or dominated) will and personal discipline required to do your DISCOMMODING (causing inconvenience, disturbing) and DISCOMFITING (disconcerting, confusing) daily drill!
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THE HOMILY
The HIRSUTE (hairy) young priest was preparing his HOMILY (sermonlike speech), and he needed advice from the HOARY (gray or white from age, old) HAGGARD (wasted, worn) pastor.
"I gotta give a good talk so I can move up in the church HIERARCHY (social structure, social pecking order)," he explained. "Can you help me?"
"You speak on HALLOWED (holy, sacred) ground," the pastor began," so don't HARANGUE (mean, nasty, angry speech or tirade) and be not HAUGHTY (proud, vain, arrogant). Don't forget to condemn HEINOUS (grossly wicked, vile, odious) HEDONISM (philosophy of trying to be happy all the time; a funky state of being in which you do your own thing and don't worry about morality), though. A good public response to your sermon will be a HARBINGER (forerunner, something that signals the approach of something, omen) of your advancement." The priest worked all night, searching for HACKNEYED (overused, trite)expressions and hip HOMONYMS (word that sounds like another word but has a different meaning). But when dawn came, he just said, "Oh, the heck with it."
from Berger, Larry et al. Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the Sat. New York: Workman, 1998.
This HYPOTHETICAL (not actual, but supposed) tale and the HUFFY HULABALOO are brought to you through the HERCULEAN (requiring great strength) efforts of the TEST-SKILLS TRIUMVIRATE
FRIDAY and SATURDAY (7/11/ & 7/12/08)
Dear PERSPICACIOUS PSATEer,
PSAT WORKSHOP PRACTICE TEST AWARDS: All glory, LAUD (praise), and honor to these PERSPICACIOUS PSATers who should BASK in the glow of public APPROBATION:
THE 200 CLUB
Mark
Neal
Landin
Carley
MOST IMPROVED SELECTION INDEX
Jordan + 46 – AMAZING!
Mark +34
Christa +33
MOST IMPROVED CRITICAL READING
Mark +20
Jordan +20
Christa +13
MOST IMPROVED MATH
Landin +11
Emily + 11
Sonum +10
Alex +10
MOST IMPROVED WRITING
Jordan +22
Mark +21
Josh +18
Rebecca +18
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ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Study for QUIZZES;
A. USAGE
B. PERNICIOUS PAIRS (Use purple sheets + Notable Confusables link below.
2. Do Math Worksheet.
3. Work online at Number2.com.
4. Practice vocabulary with flashcards, lists, crosswords, links, and readings. VOCABULARY JEOPARDY is coming!
5. Read a minimum of 30 min. a day. (If you haven't read the excerpt from FIVE EQUATIONS THAT CHANGED THE WORD, get busy!)
6. Skit scripts = due Tues.
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Now for a bedtime story from your favorite RACONTEUR (excellent story teller).........Heeeeeeeeeeeer's SATURDAY'S VocabuTALE.
Installment F in our Vocabulary Tales is a very FISHY tale indeed. (Smells kinda' PISCINE -- fishlike. It is designed to FORTIFY your PSAT vocabulary. (We're not being FACETIOUS here!) If you can't read it with FACILITY and w/o FALTERING, fill the FISSURES in your knowledge by FAMILIARIZING yourself with the parenthetical information provided.
FRED THE FILCHER
Freddy has a FLAGRANT (deliberately conspicuous, glaring) FOIBLE (weakness, flaw). He FILCHED (stole) fish, sometimes with FERVOR (passion) and sometimes with FORBEARANCE (patience), but he never FLUCTUATED (made irregular variation) from his FORTE (strong point -- pronounced FOR-tay). One day his mother, returning from the garden -- which was FECUND (fertile) with fish remains -- said FACETIOUSLY (joking or jesting) , "Freddy, is it FEASIBLE (workable, plausible, possible) that you'll FOMENT (stir up, agitate, incite) a FETID (smelly) FULMINATION (explosion, roar, loud denouncement) of fish odor if you continue to FRENETICALLY (frenzied, frantic) FLAUNT (show off) your FILCHING habits?"
FROWARD (stubborn, obdurate) Freddy frowned. "That is a FATUOUS (inane, foolish) as well as FALLACIOUS (false, incorrect) suggestion." Then he uttered the following FASTIDIOUSLY (careful about details, impossible to satisfy) crafted rationalization. "This FACET (side, aspect, or face of something) of my abilities is not FUTILE (completely ineffective) , as it provides fish for our otherwise FRUGAL (sparing in expense, stingy, miserly) dinner. You should FAWN (grovel, be overly admiring)over me, not FULMINATE against me."
The preceding story is FICTITIOUS (false, not genuine), FABRICATED (invented or made up often in order to deceive) by the authors.
from Berger, Larry et al. Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the SAT. New York: Workman, 1998.
------------FRIDAY'S TALE------------- (A thousand pardons for our failure to post last night. Mrs. Shivers forgot to hit SAVE.
Today we explore VOCABULARY through VEGETABLES. (That means we'll use FLORA as opposed to FAUNA). PERUSE installment E in our Vocabulary Tales -- that's "E" for "EDIFICATION"!
ESSAY ON EGGPLANT
I want to know which ERUDITE (scholarly) vegetable maker invented eggplant. If he is dead, I will EXHUME (disinter, to remove from a grave) his coffin and EFFACE (erase, rub out) the EPITAPH (memorial text carved on a tombstone) from his tombstone. If he is alive, I will burn him in EFFIGY (dummy or mannequin, usually for symbolic torturing--you know......like the Brits do to Guy Fawkes every year!) and ensure he will not be EULOGIZED (speech of praise at one's funeral) when he dies. Eggplant is the EPITOME (something that perfectly represents an entire class of things; embodiment -- pronounced eh-PIT-oh-me) of bad vegetables and its destruction is EXIGENT (urgent, requiring immediate attention) . I ESCHEW (avoid, shun) eating it. Its badness is almost ETHEREAL (not of the material world) . I would rather become EMACIATED (excessively thin, weak) than eat eggplant. This is an EXACTING (demanding) demand, but would someone please EDIFY (enlighten, educate) me, without being ESOTERIC (known only by a few people) or EQUIVOCAL (ambiguous, capable of two interpretations) , as to one good thing about eggplant? It's mushy, it has seeds, it makes my tongue itch, it has a dopey name, and it tastes like the droppings that an EQUESTRIAN (pertaining to horsemen or horsemanship)slob forgot to clean up. I wish all the soil on the world's eggplant farms would ERODE (to diminish or destroy by small amounts) . Just thinking about eggplant makes me EFFETE (tired, barren, decadent), Oh and get this -- when eggplants fertilize each other, the round ones with lots of seeds are the female ones and the long, narrow ones are the males. And they do it EBULLIENTLY (bubbly, overflowing with excitement) in public, in front of all the other vegetables. What would happen if humans EMULATED (to imitate closely) this behavior?
from Berger, Larry et al. Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the SAT. New York: Workman, 1998.
With PEDAGOGICAL pleasure,
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THURDSAY (7/10/08)
Dear PERSPICACIOUS PSATer,
KNOW YOUR FOOD GROUPS -- Friday 's = Goody Groups = #2 & 9 (Ultimate Peanut Butter Knights and Yellow Frisbee OEC Pizza-Eating Ironmen) We're expecting
BIG THINGS in the SUCCULENT MORSEL Department!
PSAT skills MUST be practiced. Were you listening in class? Ms. D's INCISIVE (cutting to the heart of the matter) analysis is correct. You have demonstrated SCINTILLATING (sparkling) intellects; now where's that INDOMITABLE WILL??
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ASSIGNMENTS.........
DRESS UP '70s STYLE FOR FUN & PRIZES! (C'mon! We know that every party has a pooper....Just don't let it be YOU!
1. MATH - Roots & Exponents
2. PARODY = due (both digital copy in rich text and hard copy)
3. READING - 30 min. nonfiction mimimum!
A. '70s handout for tomorrow
B. Read other handouts (satirical & serious)
C. Nightly VocabuTale
4. WRITING - SAT Section
5. VOCABULARY
A. Flashcards
B. Email Mysteries
C. Number2.com - VOCABULARY "THROW-DOWN"! You'll need 5,193 words to take down Johnny Shih's record. Better COMMENCE (begin) with CELERITY (speed) if not ALACRITY (cheerfully willing speediness)!
D. VocabuTale
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Now for your Nighty-night VocabuTale...........It focuses on BIG "D" WORDS!
THE DISTRAUGHT DOGCATCHER
Dan was DISTRAUGHT (anxious, worried, distressed). He knew he'd soon have to go up to the DAIS (raised platform) and declare his candidacy for dogcatcher. He knew he was DEVOID (completely lacking, void, empty, without)of charisma and not a DYNAMIC (energetic, vigorous, forceful) speaker. He wasn't even DEXTEROUS (adroit or skillful in the use of hands or body) at catching canines. Doubtless, he would DEBASE (to lower in quality or value, adulterate) himself by speaking like a DERANGED (having a severe mental disorder, being insane) fool.
Trying to appear DAUNTLESS (bold), he shambled forward with a DEARTH (scarcity, paucity) of enthusiasm. He tried to picture his audience all in DIAPHANOUS (translucent, gossamer) gowns, but it did not help his mood at all.
"Ahem," he began, but was DETERRED (prevented or discouraged from happening) from continuing when he DESCRIED discerned, caught sight of something which is difficult to catch sight of) the DIABOLICAL (fiendish, devilish, nastily scheming) Great Dane that was rapidly DEPLETING (lessening the supply or content of) his audience by devouring them. Feeling this DEVASTATION (ruin by violent action) might DEROGATE (detract, take away from) his speech, Dan's thoughts were thrown into sudden DISCORD (lack of harmony), and he felt a DRASTIC (severe) need to DEFENESTRATE (the act of throwing something out of the window -- It's HIGHLY unlikely you'll see this on the PSAT. However, you may wish to DEFENESTRATE your PSAT Proctor!) himself. Using himself as a DECOY (lure or bait) to get the beast's attention, he DEMURRED (objected mildly), "ummmmmm. . . please stop!" People DISCERNED (detected by use of the senses) his foolishness.
Later that day, a supporter DISPARAGED (belittled, reduced in esteem) Dan's speech. "It was rather DESULTORY (aimless, rambling, haphazard, disconnected). DIVERS (several) DIVERSE (distinct, varied, differing) rumors have been DISSEMINATED (dispensed or distributed) that he is DEPRAVED (morally corrupt, debased, perverted). We'll have trouble DELUDING (deceiving) the public into believing the contrary."
As ever, DEPLETING the dictionary in the service of EXPONENTIALLY expanding your vocabulary,
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WEDNESDAY (7/9/08)
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KNOW YOUR FOOD GROUPS -- Thursday's = Goody Group = #4 (Sanjaya-Hawk Donut-Holes)
ASSIGNMENTS.........
1. Teach Dave Barry some more big words!
2. Writing Handout
3. *Sec. 4 - MATH (mc & grid-ins)
4. Work on PARODY (due Fri.)
5. Check email and website.
6. Get costume together for Fri - It's THAT 70's DAY!
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You're AMAZING.......Check your email to find out just HOW!
Tonight’s VocabuTale letter is “C.”
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A MYSTERY
It was one of those steamy nights when the sky is lousy with stars. I was enjoying a CATHARTIC (cleansing, allowing a release of tension or emotion) CEREBRATION (thought) and CULLING (selecting, weeding out) the blue M & M’s CACHE in the office of the Sure-Lock Homes Locksmith and Detective Agency. Suddenly, my COGITATIONS (ruminations, deep and careful thinking) were interrupted by a CACOPHONOUS (sounding discordant, terrible and generally unpleasant to listen to, opposite of “euphonious”) sound and a cataclysmic vibration that reverberated through my CAPACIOUS (spacious) office. I stepped with CIRCUMSPECTION (prudence, caution) into the hall because I was afraid someone might be up to some CHICANERY (trickery). I found a CHAOTIC (utter confusion) scene: a CORPULENT (obese, fat bodied) man lying CONTORTED (twisted, bent) at the bottom of the stairs. Blood was gushing though a wound in his side, and I could see the CILIATED (having tiny hairs) lining of his small intestine. I decided to take charge.
I said with COMPUNCTION (strong uneasiness caused by guilt; remorse, contrition), “Golly, are you okay?”
He replied CAUSTICALLY ((burning, characterized by a bitter wit) , “Sure, I’m just swell. And how was your day?”
“Peachy,” I said.
At that he bellowed CHOLERICALLY (hot-temperedly). “You CALLOUS (unfeeling, unsympathetic) piece of CARRION (rotting flesh)! Can’t you see I’ve been shot? Did you think this hole in my chest was a CONGENITAL (existing at birth) condition? Get me to a hospital with CELERITY (swiftness, speed)!”
“You don’t have to be so CAPTIOUS (fault-finding), CANTANKEROUS (ill-natured, quarrelsome), and CHURLISH (boorish, rude). Let me COGITATE (think deeply and carefully, ruminate)!”
“If I don’t have this wound CAUTERIZED (to burn tissue), I’ll be a CADAVER (corpse).”
At that moment a comely broad walked into the office. She COMPORTED (behaved in a particular way) herself calmly. She was voluptuous and yet seemed CHASTE (pure, unspoiled, virginal). I was overcome with CONCUPISCENT (relating to sexual desire, lustful) thoughts that should be CENSORED (removed due to inappropriate nature). She pointed at the wounded man and said, “We were in my apartment; he got up to answer the door, and suddenly I heard a CACOPHONOUS sound and a cataclysmic vibration that must have reverberated in your CAPACIOUS office.
Just then my assistant, Watt, entered. he said, handing me the phone, “My kid wants to know what sort of tree he should plant in our garden. What do you think, Sure-lock?”
“A lemon tree, my dear Watt’s son,” I said.
Then Watt became COGNIZANT (fully informed and aware, conscious) of the situation. he COWERED (to quiver and shrink from fear) and said, “What is that?”
“It’s a plant with little yellow fruit and . . .”
He interrupted me, “No, that body on the floor.”
“Oh, golly, I forgot. We should get him to a hospital. But wait!” I COUNTERMANDED (canceled a command), “I need to stop for COMESTIBLES (food) on the way!”
We all lifted the body CONCURRENTLY (at the same time) and put it in my car.
When we arrived at the hospital, the doctor informed us that the CORPULENTman was dead.
“Golly, that’s too bad,” I said with CONTRITION (remorse, repentance, bitter regret felt owing to wrongdoing).
Well, it was time for me to get to the bottom of this heinous crime. CONVOKING (calling together, causing to assemble) the small crowd, I asked the dame, “Who was that man?”
“My husband,” she replied, CRESTFALLEN (dejected).
“Were your CONJUGAL (pertaining to marriage) relations good?”
“Well, no, in fact we had been CELIBATE (without sexual activity) for a long time.”
“Why?”
“Speaking with CANDOR (frankness), I chose to be CHASTE" (virtuous, free from indecency, not having enegaged in ILLICIT -- illegal-- sex).
“Is it CRASS (uncultured, crude) to ask why you chose to be CHASTE?”
“Because it starts with the letter C.”
“Aha! Well, let’s get to the CRUX (main point, central issue, heart of the matter) of the situation. Did you kill your husband?”
“How dare you CENSURE (criticize, blame) me like that. What a CALUMNIOUS (slanderous, defamatory) CONJECTURE (statement made without adequate evidence)!”
I repeated, “Did you kill him?”
“With CHAGRIN (embarrassment), she CAPITULATED (surrendered). “Well, only a little, but Watt will CORROBORATE (to testify in agreement, to support with testimony) that. He CAJOLED (coaxed) me into it.”
“Watt! What brought you to it? CUPIDITY (greed, avarice)? All the time I thought you were on the side of the law and you were really COVERTLY (concealed, secret) planning this crime. My CREDULITY (gullibility)! You CHARLATAN (quack, someone who pretends he’s someone he’s not)! I will bring you both to justice without CLEMENCY (mildness of temper -- especially leniency toward an enemy or in sentencing a criminal), and I’m sure you will be CASTIGATED (punished)with a prison sentence and CORPORAL (of the body, bodily) punishment COMMENSURATE (equal, proportionate) with the seriousness of the crime.”
Taken from Berger, Larry, et al. Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the SAT. New York: Workman, 1998
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TUESDAY (7/8/08)
Dear PERSPICACIOUS PSATers,
We bestow ACCOLADES and ENCOMIUMS on those whose workshop efforts are ASSIDUOUS (diligent), but we DECRY (denounce) DILATORY (tardy) LAGGARDS (draggy-gluteus maximi). It's BANAL (commonplace, mundane) but true -- a CONCACTENATION (a series or chain of interconnected or interdependent things or events) is only as strong as its weakest NEXUS (link)!
We look forward to the day that all ASPERSIONS (curses, expressions of ill will) cast upon any of your efforts are SPURIOUS (false but seem actual or true; plausible, but false) or SCURRILOUS (grossly or obscenely abusive) and absolutely GRATUITOUS (unwarranted, without cause). That translates, "Get busy so that there's no one to EXCORIATE (lambaste, scold, criticize, denounce) tomorrow!
#################But enough of this HARANGUE (rant, tirade).Your evening's ASSIGNMENTS INCLUDE...
1. TABLE 6 (Fellowship of Sleepy Ironmen Who Eat Pizza)-- You are on CULINARY duty tomorrow. What SUCCULENT MORSEL do you have in store for us?
2. REQUISITE MATH:
A. Get RADICAL with the YELLOW sheet.
B. Review formulas for FORMULA QUIZ.
*C. If you didn't do Sec. 2 of the Practice Test, finish the part we
haven't covered yet.
By the way, be APPRISED (notified) that the much-TOUTED (praised and promoted as though for sale) GEOMETRY BALL is coming soon to a PSAT Workshop near you. That means sometime this week!
3. REQUISITE WRITING: *If you didn't do Sec. 5 of the Practice Test, finish
the part we haven't covered yet.
4. REQUISITE CRITICAL READING:
A. Read! Read! Read! Highlight and card vocabulary as needed.
1.) TN Satire
2.) Begin "FIVE EQUATIONS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD" (about the
universal language -- math!)
B. VOCABULARY:
1.) Clip MVP Flashcards issued today. Study!
2.) Work on parody (due Fri.) or skit.
5. REQUISITE ONLINE WORK:
1.) Read your nightly VocabuTale.
2.) Check email & solve mysteries.
3.) Practice with flashcards and music videos.
##########And now for tonight's VocabuTale...
A Bolivian Bacchanal
With a BAWDY (obscene, coarse, lewdly humorous) exclamation, the burly buccaneers brutishly threw us out of the helicopter BEREFT (lacking something needed) of any parachute, and the BREVITY of our flight and BRUSQUENESS (brief, curt, gruff, discourteous) of our landing were not the BUCOLIC (pastoral, country) experiences described in our blonde travel agent’s BLAND (not stimulating, dull) brochure. We found ourselves in a jungle with all sorts of BANEFUL* (something which is really
poisonous or deadly) beasties crawling around our feet and BALEFUL (something that exerts an evil
influence or foreshadows evil) animal noises echoing around us.
“Yo,” said my BUMPTIOUS (self-assertive) companion with BRAGGADOCIO (cockiness) as he BURNISHED (polished) his achete. “What say we bash our way out of this place?” But before I could respond, we were captured by a BELLICOSE (violent, warlike) and BOISTEROUS (rowdy) tribe of natives about to performs its BELATED (delayed, late) BIENNIAL (every two years) human sacrifice to the fish goddess. We called a BARRISTER (lawyer), who offered BEATIFIC (displaying or imparting joy) BLANDISHMENTS (flattery). But in order to save our skins, we both had to be BETROTHED (engaged) to the chief’s daughter Brunnehilde.
“Yo,” said my companion. “This is a bit of a bummer. I should BERATE (scold severely) you for BOMBASTICALLY (grandiloquent [wordy, pompous] in speech or writing) BEGUILING (tricking) me into going on this BLIGHTED (ruined, destroyed, withered) vacation.” Then the axe fell and the BACCHANALIAN (orgiastic; like wild drunken revelry) rituals
honoring the BENEVOLENT (kind) fish goddess began.
* BALEFUL and BANEFUL are similar in meaning, but not entirely synonymous. To remember this,
think “baneful” rhymes with “painful” -- which deadly things tend to be!
from Berger, Larry et al. Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the SAT. New York, Workman,
1998.
And now, for your buried treasure......
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MONDAY (7/7/08)
Dear PERSPICACIOUS PSATer,
Welcome to our VIRTUAL ABODE. Here you will find a PLETHORA of GERMANE information (vocabulary in context, flashcard for drill [click "flashcards" in box above], and links, links, LINKS!)to assist you in your VALIANT QUEST to achieve the ever-so-possible dream, a 200+ on your PSAT.
Got a QUERY? With a quick click on the site's email function, you've got PERPETUAL access to our assistance. (But be sure to include your name and email address. The reply button won't work!) We are, after all, willing THRALLS -- VASSALS in the service of the EXPONENTIAL AUGMENTATION of your PSAT vocabulary score. With apologies to the Beatles, we KNOW you can "get by with a little SUCCOR from your INTIMATES." (Hit the refrigerator, you FAMISHED fools. We said SUCCOR, not SUPPER! You'll find only mental "munchies" here in cyberspace -- virtual VICTUALS ...PROVERBIAL "food for thought," ...COPIOUS COMESTIBLES of context and connotation which will provide AMPLE intellectual SUSTENANCE.)
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ASSIGNMENTS:
* only for those who didn't take June Practice PSAT on the 14th or 21st
TABLE #11: THE EATING LIONS are responsible for our breaktime REPAST. Bring SUCCULENT MORSELS for a CULINARY perk for ASSIDUOUS work!
1. Deliver gold note and get parent's signature on pink sheet.
2. MATH:
A. Yellow worksheet
B. Study formulas for quiz Wed.
*C. Sec. 2, PSAT Practice Test
3. WRITING: *Sec. 5, PSAT Practice Test
4. VOCABULARY:
A. Download MVP Vocabulary Powerpoint (The Mighty Prefix, Roots and Branches, and Synonym Clusters Parts 1, II, and III are together in a single PPT.)
B. Work FLASHCARDS.
C. Read and download tonight's VocabuTale.
D. Read the sample parodies and brainstorm for your own (due Fri.)
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Now here are some SUCCULENT vocabulary MORSELS to SAVOR in a little self-test. PERUSE it and answer to yourself.
#1: When was the last time you used these three words???????
JINGOIST: super patriot----Charles Foster Kane in Citizen Kane (a movie you MUST see if you have not!) or Wm. Randolph Hearst in reality REDOUBTABLE: formidable, fearsome----Wm. Wallace in Braveheart (a good one, too!)
DIFFIDENCE: Cher in Clueless when she figures out a.) she loves Josh, b.) she really IS clueless (Jane Austin's Emma). If your answer = "never," go to QUESTION...#2.
#2: When you think of your vocabulary, do you feel LUGUBRIOUS, MELANCHOLY, DOLEFUL, MOROSE.........DEJECTED, DISPIRITED, DISCONSOLATE, DESPONDENT........SUICIDAL, HOMICIDAL, or ALL OF THE ABOVE?
#3. When your teacher describes your vocabulary, which of these terms does he or she employ?
PEDESTRIAN, PROSAIC, MUNDANE .......TRITE, BANAL, HACKNEYED, CLICHE........CIRCUMSCRIBED, SCANTY, NIGGARDLY, NARROW............DIMUNITIVE, MINUTE, INFINITESIMAL........PALTRY, PISSANT, WEAK.....TRIVIAL, INSIGNIFICANT, or ALL OF THE ABOVE?
#4. Is said description always followed followed by a SCATHING or CAUSTIC REBUKE, REPRIMAND, REPROVAL, REPROACH, REMONSTRATION, ADMONITION, CENSURE, or ALL OF THE ABOVE?
#5. When Mrs. Findley passes out the Faulkner, will you find his sentences BAFFLING, PERPLEXING, filled with ENIGMATIC idioms and CRYPTIC terms? Will you find him INSCRUTABLE? If so, be forewarned. I fear you'll also find Mrs. Findley most IRASCIBLE and UNRELENTING. You just THINK you've been through the wringer. Get ready for harsh REMONSTRANCE and STRINGENT standards! JUST WAIT! (It's gonna' be grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat!!!!!!!!!!!!)
#6. When you try to be CONCISE and SUCCINCT are you merely TERSE and TACITURN?
#7. Would you instead like to be
--LOQUACIOUS but not VERBOSE,
--GARRULOUS but not PRATTLING,
--EMPHATIC but not BOMBASTIC,
--VIVID but not FLORID?
#8.Would you like to AMELIORATE your diction deficits, thereby MITIGATING your vocabulary problems and our fears of Mrs. Findley's INTREPID, yea, DAUNTLESS red pen, while SIMULTANEOUSLY increasing your potential PSAT/NMSQT score EXPONENTIALLY?
If so, REJOICE and TAKE HEART! For this course offers you an unparalleled opportunity to AUGMENT,, ENRICH, and ENLARGE your LEXICON. But not if you are DESULTORY or DILATORY. Don't TEMPORIZE or PROCRASTINATE! IF you do as we ask in this workshop (and, of course, in the class) -- If you are INDUSTRIOUS, ASSIDUOUS, and INDEFATIGABLE, your vocabulary will be more than PROFICIENT when we finish.
Mrs. Findley will, in hushed tones, describe it in these AUGUSTand exalted terms:- BOUNTIFUL, AMPLE, ABUNDANT..........COPIOUS, PRODIGIOUS, a SURFEIT, a PLETHORA! PROFOUND, CATHOLIC, COMPREHENSIVE..........PEERLESS, SURPASSING, INCOMPARABLE, INIMITABLE! You shall BASK in the warm glow of ACCLAIM and ADULATION, public APPROBATION! PLAUDITS, KUDOS, ENCOMIUMS, and FELICITATIONS! You'll be ELATED, EXHILARATED, EBULLIENT, EXUBERANT! Imagine, Mrs. Findley LAUDING and EXTOLLING your VOLUMINOUS vocabulary. Why, the thrill of National Merit pales beside the thought of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now, are we "PUMPED" or what? Let's GO! You'll find "201 WORDS YOU ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY HAVE TO KNOW" ready to go as flashcards. Practice for next time by clicking on "FLASHCARDS" above. Explore these links at your leisure. THEN when you are ready for bed, check out the following VOCABULARY TALE. We'll be providing you with nightly bedtime stories which you may copy and print out for contextual practice. Tonight's installment is . . .
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THE AUDACIOUS AARDVARK
The AUDACIOUS (daring, bold) aardvark was rooting around in the grass for some lunch with which to ASSUAGE (relieve, lessen) his hunger when his ADROIT(dexterous, agile, nimble) friend Bob the baboon waddled up with ALACRITY (eager willingness, celerity) and ACCOSTED (approached) him. "Hey Man," Bob said, beginning an ALTERCATION (noisy or heated dispute). "Why do you ABASE (lower) yourself in that ATYPICAL (not standard,uncharacteristic) way? I ADVOCATE(support) the AGILE (nimble) use of a knife and fork."
"You are an ass," the aardvark replied politely. "It would be more AESTHETICALLY (appealing to the sense of beauty) pleasing if I were to eat that way, but the use of utensils would be too AFFECTED (put on, faked, a pretense) for a simple aardvark. In addition, I am AVERSE (opposed, disinclined) to such an idea because it might ALLEVIATE (relieve, lessen) my acne, which looks good on me."
"That has to be the APEX (height, zenith) of stupidity," Bob said, AGHAST (in horrified amazement). "And while we're on the subject of your appearance, I must ask you why you are so APATHETIC (disinterested, indifferent) about your hygiene. At least you could AMELIORATE (make better) your looks and odor by taking a bath."
"Never ALLUDE (refer) to my ALLEGED (asserted without evidence, presumed) AVERSION (feeling of strong dislike) to cleanliness again," the aardvark said with AUSTERITY (severity, sternness). "May I remind you that even with your nearly ANTHROPOID (manlike) form, you still pick lice out of strangers' hair."
Sensing that the conversation had gone AWRY (amiss, off the right course) and feeling ABASHED (disconcerted, self-conscious or ashamed), Bob's (daring, boldness) ABATED (subsided, lessened), and he to began to AMASS (collect, pile up) a pile of grubs from the grass.
The characters in this story are entirely fictitious. Any resemblance to real people,or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Berger, Larry et al. UP YOUR SCORE: THE UNDERGROUND GUIDE TO THE SAT, New York, Workman, 1998.
GOODNIGHT from your PSINCERELY PSERIOUS PSAT PEDAGOGUES
Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2007
Dear PERSPICACIOUS PSATers:
Although you were NAIEVE NOVICES and NEOPHYTES, your NASCENT vocabulary skills are growing and maturing. We hope you are no longer NONPLUSSED by the NOISOME test and its NOXIOUS pitfalls ("sucker bait"). Understanding the NUANCES of test construction (POWER TEST -- easy, medium, and hard) and knowing the necessary tips will help you NEGOTIATE the NOTORIOUS obstacle NONCHALANTLY. If you apply your indomitable will to practice your skills, virtually all attempts by ETS to NULLIFY your build-up points through the nauseating guessing penalty, will be NUGATORY! Through dogged practice you will become the apotheosis of excellence, a paragon -- NONPAREIL!
A VILLAIN’S DEATH
The NEFARIOUS (evil) villain had reached the NADIR (absolutely lowest point) of his NOTORIOUS (famous for something bad, INFAMOUS) career. He had run into his NEMESIS (vengeful enemy), Nice Ned, the sheriff, after stealing some counterfeit cash -- he often didn’t notice the NUANCES (subtle variation in color, meaning, or some other quality) of forged bills. Now he lay dying from two fatal earlobe wounds near a NOISOME (offensive, disgusting, filthy, malodorous) junkyard in the desert.
Looking back, he recalled his NASCENT (emerging, coming into being) life as an outlaw. He had started as a NAIVE (lacking in worldly wisdom or experience) NOVICE (beginner) in New York, but when the NOXIOUS (harmful to health or morals) city fumes got to him, he headed west, where a NOVEL (new, unusual, different) future awaited him. In later years, no longer a NEOPHYTE (beginner), his NONCHALANT (appearing casual, cool indifferent, “chilled out”) attitude had left him NONPLUSSED (perplexed, baffled) . Now nearly dead, he wanted to establish a NEXUS (bond or link between things) with his lost youth, but it was too late.
from Berger, Larry, et al. Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the SAT. New York: Workman, 1998.
Hoping you are not NONPLUSSED (or NONPLUSED is an acceptable spelling, as well) by these NOVEL “N” words,
Your PSAT PEDAGOGUES
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Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Dear PERSPICACIOUS PSATers:
FELICITATIONS and CONGRATULATIONS, THESPIANS and writers! No OPPROBRIUM (ignominy, shame).....only APPROBATION for PUNGENT (sharp, zesty, biting) PARODIES you produced and the delightful skit scripts you presented. We appreciate the AMICABLE and JOCULAR approach, even when you were skewering us with a LAMPOON’s barb. And we especially appreciate the PAEANS and tributes to PSAT PEDAGOGUES! KUDOS all around!
Don't DAWDLE or be DILATORY or DESULTORY. Practice! Practice! Practice in your packets and at number2.com and quizlab.com.
Time for a bit of history with a big vocabulary M-pact! hmmmmmmMMMMMMMMM!!! For the BULK of history, men believed that MALARIA was caused by MIASMAS. We know that it is not the much-MALIGNED bad air which carries the MINUSCULE and MALEVOLENT disease germ, but the pesky MOSQUITO.
Now MEANDER through your nightly Voc. Tale . Tonight’s tale features the letter “M.” Hope you enjoy “Mark’s Problems,” below!
MARK’S PROBLEMS
In a small MARITIME (near the sea, concerned with shipping or navigation), no make that “Madison County,” village, there lived a MOROSE (sullen, depressed) musician named Mark. Most of the citizens were MAGNANIMOUS (noble, generous, forgiving, magnificently kind) to him because he was a METICULOUSLY (extremely careful and precise) clean MENDICANT (beggar), but there was a MINUSCULE-brained (very tiny) MALEVOLENT (wishing evil upon others, malicious, the opposite of benevolent) gang in town who MALICIOUSLY (with evil intent) MALIGNED (slandered, said bad thing about) him. “Hey, Mark,” they would yell. “You’re more MALODOROUS (stinky) than a moo-cow.” Yeah, ‘Mark’ is a MISNOMER (inappropriate or wrong name): you should be called Moo-k!”
Mark bore the MENDACIOUS (lying) gang no MALICE (spite, the desire to do evil to others), though he wished he could, through some ingenious MANEUVER (skillful or clever move), MEANDER (wander around aimlessly) through the town’s MYRIAD (many, lots, a very large amount) streets without these MONOTONOUS (boring, repetitious) MORDANT (bitingly sarcastic or nasty) MALEDICTIONS (spoken curses). He grew MELANCHOLY (sad, depressed, PENSIVE) and suffered from a great MALAISE (feeling of illness or depression) as he MOROSELY contemplated their MALIGNANCY(malevolent and malicious acts). He could be found sitting, listening to the MELLIFLUOUS (sweet sounding, flowing with honey or sweetness) sounds of jazz and classical trumpet, with a virtual MIASMA (poisonous atmosphere or cloud) over him, snuffling quietly. There, that story wasn’t so MACABRE (gross, ghastly, suggestive of horrible death and decay), was it?
adapted from Berger, Larry et al. Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the Sat. New York: Workman, 1998.
MAGNANIMOUSLY yours, Your PSAT PEDAGOGUES
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Sat., July 28, 2007
Dear PERSPICACIOUS PSATers,
One thing PSAT Workshops lack is LONGEVITY (long life). They seem LILLIPUTIAN (minute, extremely small) in comparison with regular school, don’t they? We LAMENT (mourn, grieve) their EPHEMERAL (quickly passing, transient) nature, and we LOATHE (detest) losing you. As somebody named Will once noted, Parting is INDEED such sweet sorrow! Oh, well... At least we CAPITALIZED (took advantage of, made the most of) the brief time together!
With a click of the cursor, we pull up the Skit Slideshows and SAVOR and relive the moment when you showcased your VOLUMINOUS vocabularies and SCINTILLATING wit in vaudevillian VIGNETTES!
And now for tonight’s bedtime VocabuTale here’s........
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An Open and Frank Note from the Authors (brought to you by the letter "L")
With such words in this list as LEWD (indecent, obscene) , LICENTIOUS (immoral, morally wild or sexually unrestrained), and LECHEROUS (lewd, lustful) in the L’s, you’re probably looking forward to a great story. Well, you won’t find one here, but not because we were too LACKADAISICAL (uncaring, lacking in interest or spirit) or LANGUID ((lacking energy, weak). We actually did write a pretty LASCIVIOUS (lusty, lewd) one, but instead of LAUDING (praising) it, the editor LOATHED (hated) it. After she read it, she LITHELY (gracefully, supplely, limberly) LAMBASTED (thrashed, mauled, beat, whipped, or bludgeoned with big things and other than fun stuff; to scold sharply or rebuke) us with LETHAL (deadly) cans of lima beans ( We suspect they were obtained through LARCENY), lacerating our ligaments. This made us a bit LUGUBRIOUS (mournful or sad), but we were willing to LUCUBRATE (study hard and in a scholarly fashion) some more and come up with a new story. But when she LACONICALLY (briefly, tersely, concisely, succinctly) called us ‘LIMACINE (pertaining to or resembling a slug -- This word won’t be on the test, but you may find it useful, particularly if you have younger siblings) idiots,” we left, suddenly overcome by our LATENT (potential but not yet displayed) LETHARGY (sluggishness, indifference), LANGUOR (sluggishness, lack of energy), and LASSITUDE (listlessness, state of exhaustion or weakness). And so, in protest, we didn’t do an L story. Humblest apologies. We hope you will forgive us.
from Berger, Larry et al. Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the SAT. New York: Workman, 1998.
Lexicographical ignorance LAMBASTED by the DIDADIC DUO + ONE
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Dear PSAT Scholar,
A thousand pardons for our recent technical difficulties. Check your email and you'll find the long awaited links to Skit Slideshows -- PSAT Workshop 2007. Enjoy!
Also, don't forget that you need to do a little SHERLOCK-ing if you want a SURE-lock on a good grade for PSAT class. We'll be better able to handle the emails now that Mrs. Shiv has executed a computer recovery!
I'm afraid your RACONTEURS are a bit LACONIC (of few words) tonight. Tonight's tale is the tale of the JADED JINGOIST. It's CONCISE, SUCCINCT, yes, even TERSE, but not PROSAIC or PEDESTRIAN in the least!
For the CLASSIC poop (or EXCREMENT for those of you with SCATALOGICAL fixations) on the ULTIMATE JADED JINGOIST, go to Blockbuster and rent Citizen Kane, Orson Well's masterpiece based on the life of William Randolph Hearst, America's most famous jingoist.
Well-educated people "in the know" experience no PERPLEXITY when other equally well-versed individuals ALLUDE to "ROSEBUD." If you don't "get it," read this first for your vocabulary's sake, then rush right out to get IT (Citizen Kane) for cultural literacy's sake! If you'd like to read more about this LANDMARK film, this cinematic WATERSHED, go to
http://www.filmsite.org/citi.html. If you'd like to borrow a copy of the video, come by Room A-186.
CRIME DOESN'T PAY
The JINGOIST (extreme patriot) became JADED (wearied, especially by too much of the good life). He didn't feel as JOCOSE (merry, joking), JOCULAR (jolly, joking), or JOCUND (merry, jolly) as he once did. Eventually, he turned to KNAVERY (dishonest, mischievous dealing) , robbing from KIOSKS (pavilion or small open booth where items are bought or sold). It was KISMET (fate)that he got caught. It takes a little KEN (range of knowledge) to be a KLEPTOMANIAC (compulsive thief) -- a lesson for us all!
from Berger, Larry et al. Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the SAT. New York: Workman, 1998.
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Sun., July 21, 2007
FELICITATIONS, PERSPICACIOUS PSAT Scholars,
We're back after a brief HIATUS....Workshop's over, but the work is just beginning!
Let this message be absolutely PERSPICUOUS! If you wish to avoid an IMPASSE on your VERBAL PSAT, you must be an INDOMITABLE student with an INSATIABLE intellectual appetite and an IMPECCABLE vocabulary! You also need to be INDEFATIGABLE in your efforts online. May the light of verbal excellence will EMINATE from your monitor's screen!)
Tonight's VocabuTale is brought to you by the letter "I."
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SIX IRASCIBLE FOOLS
Kyra, MKK, Aaron, Andre, Mitch, and McNeill were traveling INCOGNITO (in disguise) in the INCOMMODIOUS (lacking space, not commodious) bus. They had reached an IMPASSE (dead end) in their INDOMITABLE (unconquerable, impossible to dominate) attempts to think of sentences for the PSAT "I's" and were nearly INSENSATE (unconscious, lacking sensation) with INDOLENCE (laziness).
"Hey, McNeill, do you have any INGENIOUS (original, resourceful) ideas for 'INSCRUTABLE (enigmatic, difficult to understand),' you INEPT (incompetent) fool?" Aaron inquired.
McNeill's face remained IMPASSIVE (without emotion, expressionless). "You know you're just INCITING (arousing, instigating) me to anger with your INSIPID (lacking excitement, VAPID) INVECTIVE (abusive put-down). If you continue this IMPROPRIETY (improper, without displaying propriety) , this INVIDIOUS (offensive, making people angry) behavior, I'll become IRASCIBLE (easily provoked, irritable)."
"Are we to infer that you are questioning Aaron's IMPECCABLE (flawless and faultless) integrity by implying that he acted in an IGNOBLE (not noble) manner?" Kyra interjected INGENUOUSLY (innocently, showing childlike simplicity) "I'm sure he couldn't stand the IGNOMINY (dishonor, disgrace)."
"If you all don't shut up, I'll be forced to IMPALE (to pierce with a sharp stake or point) you. Especially since you IMBIBED (drank in, absorbed) my iodine," MKK shouted.
"There seems to be an INSIDIOUS (working or spreading stealthily, sneaking inside to do something bad -- NOT to be confused with "INVIDIOUS") force at work among us," Andre added. "Our INCONTROVERTIBLY (indisputably) INSATIABLE (impossible to satisfy) desire to help our fellow PSAT scholars is failing!"
"But what, ho!" Mitch exclaimed. "I believe our destination is IMMINENT (about to occur, impending)."
So the bus stopped, and they got off, continuing to argue INCESSANTLY (nonstop, ceaselessly).
adapted from Berger, Larry et al. Up Your Score: The Undergrounnd Guide to the Sat. New York: Workman, 1998.
INCESSANTLY yours,
Your PSAT PEDAGOGUES
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Thurs., July 20, 2007
Dear PERSPICACIOUS PSATer,
The skits were ERUDITE as well as entertaining. You've reached the APOGEE, the ZENITH of excellence. You are not in the PENULTIMATE position; you've achieved the ULTIMATE. What can we say? We're EBULLIENT, ELATED, EXUBERANT, and ECSTATIC. We are EFFUSIVE!!!!
On to Vocabulary Tale H. . . .After you've read about the ill-fated HOMILY (sermonlike speech) of the HIRSUIT (hairy) priest below and you've NEGOTIATED (navigated) the easy and medium and hard SC review at QUIZLAB , so the REAL SAT practices. Be sure you’re marking +/-/0 and “KILLING DISTRACTORS.” Then head for the REEEEEEEEAAAALY H-A-I-R-Y stuff at number2.com.
Remember that merely desiring (even EARNESTLY) a spiking score will not SUFFICE (be sufficient or enough). To achieve a point PRECIPICE (high point, brink), you must exert the INDOMITABLE (that which cannot be controlled or dominated) will and personal discipline required to do your DISCOMMODING (causing inconvenience, disturbing) and DISCOMFITING (disconcerting, confusing) daily drill!
To PLUS or not to PLUS, to fill-in-the-blank, to do the 2nd first, to OBLITERATE (wipe out, destroy completely) what you eliminate -- all TACTICS must become second nature,
INHERENT in your approach to S.C.'s! Too bad they aren't INNATE (inborn)!
----THE END of this HARANGUE (tirade; long, noisy speech delivered in a vehement manner)
This HARANGUE (tirade) is brought to you by your friendly, neighborhood PSAT PEDAGOGUES (teachers) who are rapidly turning into the TERMAGANT (shrewish woman) TRIO as a result of your massive ABDICATION (to renounce or relinquish formally) of your responsibility to practice!
P.S. Don’t forget to
(1) print out a hard copy of tonight’s VocabulTale for your notebook!
(2) make vocabulary flashcards for word contained below that you don’t know!
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1. PEOPLE ON THE PSAT (Brush-up, prepare for role-play, and work on GREEN packet)
2. Analyze errors on Sec. 1 & 3 of practice test SC's.
3. MATH
4. BLUE VOCABULARY PACKET
5. SNAPS!!!!!
6. ONLINE: quizlab.com, number2.com
7. Finish DAVE BARRY (Toilet Testers)
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THE HOMILY
The HIRSUTE (hairy) young priest was preparing his HOMILY (sermonlike speech), and he needed advice from the HOARY (gray or white from age, old) HAGGARD (wasted, worn) pastor.
"I gotta give a good talk so I can move up in the church HIERARCHY (social structure, social pecking order)," he explained. "Can you help me?"
"You speak on HALLOWED (holy, sacred) ground," the pastor began," so don't HARANGUE (mean, nasty, angry speech or tirade) and be not HAUGHTY (proud, vain, arrogant). Don't forget to condemn HEINOUS (grossly wicked, vile, odious) HEDONISM (philosophy of trying to be happy all the time; a funky state of being in which you do your own thing and don't worry about morality), though. A good public response to your sermon will be a HARBINGER (forerunner, something that signals the approach of something, omen) of your advancement." The priest worked all night, searching for HACKNEYED (overused, trite)expressions and hip HOMONYMS (word that sounds like another word but has a different meaning). But when dawn came, he just said, "Oh, the heck with it."
from Berger, Larry et al. Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the Sat. New York: Workman, 1998.
This HYPOTHETICAL (not actual, but supposed) tale and the HUFFY HULABALOO are brought to you through the HERCULEAN (requiring great strength) efforts of the TEST-SKILLS
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Wed., July 18, 2007
Dear PERSPICACIOUS PSATer,
We're BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK! Let us apologize PROFUSELY for brief HIATUS, during which you were w/o a nightly VocabuTale.
ASSIGNMENTS:
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1. SKITS TOMORROW!
2. Remember that tomorrow we're pulling a full day. Don't forget your sack lunch. Groups responsibile for snacks and drinks should come prepared!
3. BLUE SHEETS: Practice SC strategy & tactics. Don't worry so much about getting the right answer. Worry about formulating good S & T habits! Timed test coming tomorrow!
4. GRAMMAR & USAGE: Check email for links to subj.-verb agreement practices. Record results and email to Mrs. Reed: dreed@madison-schools.com
5. TEACH DAVE BARRY SOME BIG WORDS! ("Toilet Testers..." worksheet)
6. MATH: Be ready to discuss Sec. 4 of the test.
7. BLUE and GREEN VOCAB PACKETS & CROSSWORDS -- Work! Work! Work! People on the PSAT DAY is coming Friday
8. WORK ONLINE: quizlab.com & number2.com. Don't forget to work your vocab.!
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It’s time now to move from “F” to “G” in our Vocabulary Tales. Let’s do it with a FRACTURED FAIRY TALE. You've enjoyed "THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF" for years. Try out this more OBSCURE (lesser-known) and ERUDITE (scholarly) version!
LESSER-KNOWN ADVENTURE OF THE
THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF
The three Billy Goats GRUFF (rough or stern in aspect or speech) met in the GLOAMING (twilight) near the bridge.
“I’m really scared of that GRUESOME (grisly, gory) troll, “ Billy Goat #1 said, GESTICULATING (gesturing, signaling with hands and arms) toward the bridge. Despite her GOSSAMER (light, delicate, insubstantial) gown, she doesn’t seem too GREGARIOUS (friendly, outgoing, sociable).”
“I won’t GAINSAY (deny, dispute, say something against what someone else says) that, and I heard her GOURMET (one who appreciates fine food and drink, EPICURE, CONNOISSEUR) appetite includes a GRISLY (gory) taste for goat’s hooves!” BG #2 added nervously. “I really don’t like GRATUITOUS (unnecessary or unwarranted) violence.”
Cowards!” BG #3 GIBED (heckled or mocked, taunted, picked on). “I don’t listen to nonGERMANE (relevant, appropriate) GARBLED (confused, mixed up) GIBBERISH (rapid, incomprehensible, or nonsensical speaking; DRIVEL) that only GULLIBLE (believing anything) fools like you would believe. I bet that troll is really a cool gal. Watch me cross that bridge!”
“You have a GRANDIOSE (excessively impressive or grand) opinion of yourself, but you’re really pretty dumb. So long, bud,” Goat #1 replied with a GRIMACE (twisted facial expression), anticipating the GRAPHIC (vivid, explicit) goat-mutilation horror that soon followed.
from Berger, Larry et al. Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the SAT. New York: workman, 1998.
To all our wonderful word CONNOISSEURS,
From your favorite RACONTEURS (story-tellers), the TEACHING TRIUMVIRATE
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Sat., July 14, 2007
Dear PERSPICACIOUS PSATER:
Greetings and FELICITATIONS! We hope you are enjoying this brief weekend RESPITE (break, rest). But we are counting on you to put in the REQUISITE (required, necessary) time on PSAT practice. (See Fri. night for assignments.)
Did you like the Week #1 Slideshow? If you haven't seen it, check your email. We sent you and your parents the link so that you could enjoy it.
Installment F in our Vocabulary Tales is a very FISHY tale indeed. (Smells kinda' PISCINE -- fishlike. It is designed to FORTIFY your PSAT vocabulary. (We're not being FACETIOUS here!) If you can't read it with FACILITY and w/o FALTERING, fill the FISSURES in your knowledge by FAMILIARIZING yourself with the parenthetical information provided.
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FRED THE FILCHER
Freddy has a FLAGRANT (deliberately conspicuous, glaring) FOIBLE (weakness, flaw). He FILCHED (stole) fish, sometimes with FERVOR (passion) and sometimes with FORBEARANCE (patience), but he never FLUCTUATED (made irregular variation) from his FORTE (strong point -- pronounced FOR-tay). One day his mother, returning from the garden -- which was FECUND (fertile) with fish remains -- said FACETIOUSLY (joking or jesting) , "Freddy, is it FEASIBLE (workable, plausible, possible) that you'll FOMENT (stir up, agitate, incite) a FETID (smelly) FULMINATION (explosion, roar, loud denouncement) of fish odor if you continue to FRENETICALLY (frenzied, frantic) FLAUNT (show off) your FILCHING habits?"
FROWARD (stubborn, obdurate) Freddy frowned. "That is a FATUOUS (inane, foolish) as well as FALLACIOUS (false, incorrect) suggestion." Then he uttered the following FASTIDIOUSLY (careful about details, impossible to satisfy) crafted rationalization. "This FACET (side, aspect, or face of something) of my abilities is not FUTILE (completely ineffective) , as it provides fish for our otherwise FRUGAL (sparing in expense, stingy, miserly) dinner. You should FAWN (grovel, be overly admiring)over me, not FULMINATE against me."
The preceding story is FICTITIOUS (false, not genuine), FABRICATED (invented or made up often in order to deceive) by the authors.
from Berger, Larry et al. Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the SAT. New York: Workman, 1998.
With FELICITATIONS,
From Your PSAT PEDAGOGUES
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Fri., July 13, 2007
Dear PSAT Scholars,
All glory, LAUD (praise), and honor FAMILY MESS for today's breaktime REPAST (meal). Like Cher in Clueless, you may BASK (warm yourselves as in the sunshine) in the warm glow of public APPROBATION (praise, commendation). We SAVORED (tasted with pleasure or zest) every bite, GOURMETS (a CONNOISSEUR -- one who is qualified becasuse of his expert knowledge and discriminating taste to pass critical judgment on something, esp. wine or food --of fine food and drink) and GOURMANDS (one who is fond of fine food and drink) alike.
Check email. We're working on a slide show for you!
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ASSIGNMENTS:
1. SKIT (digital copy due by 6:00 p.m. Sunday)
2. MATH - symbols
3. BLUE & GREEN packets
4. Teach Dave Barry some big words!
5. CONFUSING WORDS Quiz coming! (practice using links and packet)
6. PURPLE - grammar & usage!
7. Work online at number2.com and quizlab
8. Be an email Mystery Maven!
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Now for a bedtime story from your favorite RACONTEUR (excellent story teller).........
Today we explore VOCABULARY through VEGETABLES. (That means we'll use FLORA as opposed to FAUNA). PERUSE installment E in our Vocabulary Tales -- that's "E" for "EDIFICATION"!
ESSAY ON EGGPLANT
I want to know which ERUDITE (scholarly) vegetable maker invented eggplant. If he is dead, I will EXHUME (disinter, to remove from a grave) his coffin and EFFACE (erase, rub out) the EPITAPH (memorial text carved on a tombstone) from his tombstone. If he is alive, I will burn him in EFFIGY (dummy or mannequin, usually for symbolic torturing--you know......like the Brits do to Guy Fawkes every year!) and ensure he will not be EULOGIZED (speech of praise at one's funeral) when he dies. Eggplant is the EPITOME (something that perfectly represents an entire class of things; embodiment -- pronounced eh-PIT-oh-me) of bad vegetables and its destruction is EXIGENT (urgent, requiring immediate attention) . I ESCHEW (avoid, shun) eating it. Its badness is almost ETHEREAL (not of the material world) . I would rather become EMACIATED (excessively thin, weak) than eat eggplant. This is an EXACTING (demanding) demand, but would someone please EDIFY (enlighten, educate) me, without being ESOTERIC (known only by a few people) or EQUIVOCAL (ambiguous, capable of two interpretations) , as to one good thing about eggplant? It's mushy, it has seeds, it makes my tongue itch, it has a dopey name, and it tastes like the droppings that an EQUESTRIAN (pertaining to horsemen or horsemanship)slob forgot to clean up. I wish all the soil on the world's eggplant farms would ERODE (to diminish or destroy by small amounts) . Just thinking about eggplant makes me EFFETE (tired, barren, decadent), Oh and get this -- when eggplants fertilize each other, the round ones with lots of seeds are the female ones and the long, narrow ones are the males. And they do it EBULLIENTLY (bubbly, overflowing with excitement) in public, in front of all the other vegetables. What would happen if humans EMULATED (to imitate closely) this behavior?
from Berger, Larry et al. Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the SAT. New York: Workman, 1998.
With PEDAGOGICAL pleasure,
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Thurs., July 12, 2007
TECHNICAL TIP: If you wish to save paper when printing a hard copy for review purposes, simply copy the notes to your WORD PROCESSOR and print!
Dear PERSPICACIOUS PSATers:
Your PSAT PARODIES were PSUPERB! You are indeed PERSPICACIOUS (having keen powers of observation and judgment.
We hope you are pleased with your BURGEONING (rapidly growing, flourishing) vocabularies. By October, they will be PRODIGIOUS (huge, extraordinarily large)! But PSAT skills MUST be practiced. Were you listening in class? Ms. D's INCISIVE (cutting to the heart of the matter) analysis is correct. You have demonstrated SCINTILLATING (sparkling) intellects; now where's that INDOMITABLE WILL??
Writing your PSAT PARODY gave you plenty of opportunity to APPLY your knowledge and practice your skills. Likewise will the upcoming skit.
KUDOS! PLAUDITS! ACCOLADES! ENCOMIUMS to you for a really good effort at GEOMETRY BALL! You might want to PERUSE those formulas again sometime soon, though.
Furthermore, you're doing a fine job on TIPS & TACTICS.
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ASSIGNMENTS:
1. BLUE and GREEN vocabulary packets and crosswords.
2. PURPLE: CONFUSING WORDS (quiz coming)
A. work in packet
B. do PERNICIOUS PAIRS at www.quizlab.com
C. check email for links to online practice
3. PINK: OBLIVIOUS (Clueless) Fill-ins
4. YELLOW: Math – roots & exponents
5. READ! (parody)
6. FAMILY MESS: prep SUCCULENT MORSELS for break!
7. SKIT!
8. www. number2.com
9. email mysteries!
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Now for your Nighty-night VocabuTale...........It centers on words beginning with the letter "D"!
THE DISTRAUGHT DOGCATCHER
Dan was DISTRAUGHT (anxious, worried, distressed). He knew he'd soon have to go up to the DAIS (raised platform) and declare his candidacy for dogcatcher. He knew he was DEVOID (completely lacking, void, empty, without)of charisma and not a DYNAMIC (energetic, vigorous, forceful) speaker. He wasn't even DEXTEROUS (adroit or skillful in the use of hands or body) at catching canines. Doubtless, he would DEBASE (to lower in quality or value, adulterate) himself by speaking like a DERANGED (having a severe mental disorder, being insane) fool.
Trying to appear DAUNTLESS (bold), he shambled forward with a DEARTH (scarcity, paucity) of enthusiasm. He tried to picture his audience all in DIAPHANOUS (translucent, gossamer) gowns, but it did not help his mood at all.
"Ahem," he began, but was DETERRED (prevented or discouraged from happening) from continuing when he DESCRIED discerned, caught sight of something which is difficult to catch sight of) the DIABOLICAL (fiendish, devilish, nastily scheming) Great Dane that was rapidly DEPLETING (lessening the supply or content of) his audience by devouring them. Feeling this DEVASTATION (ruin by violent action) might DEROGATE (detract, take away from) his speech, Dan's thoughts were thrown into sudden DISCORD (lack of harmony), and he felt a DRASTIC (severe) need to DEFENESTRATE (the act of throwing something out of the window -- It's HIGHLY unlikely you'll see this on the PSAT. However, you may wish to DEFENESTRATE your PSAT Proctor!) himself. Using himself as a DECOY (lure or bait) to get the beast's attention, he DEMURRED (objected mildly), "ummmmmm. . . please stop!" People DISCERNED (detected by use of the senses) his foolishness.
Later that day, a supporter DISPARAGED (belittled, reduced in esteem) Dan's speech. "It was rather DESULTORY (aimless, rambling, haphazard, disconnected). DIVERS (several) DIVERSE (distinct, varied, differing) rumors have been DISSEMINATED (dispensed or distributed) that he is DEPRAVED (morally corrupt, debased, perverted). We'll have trouble DELUDING (deceiving) the public into believing the contrary."
As ever, DEPLETING the dictionary in the service of EXPONENTIALLY expanding your vocabulary,
Yours truly, THE DIDACTIC DUO + ONE
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Wed., July 11, 2007
Dear PERSPICACIOUS PSATer:
The parodies are are unparalleled! We are absolutely, positively blinded by the light of your SCINTILLATING (sparkling) intellects. Can you tell that we are having a wonderful time grading your papers? You might say we are DElighted by your SCINTILLATING wit.....OUCH.....really bad joke, huh? But, here's the rub.........We need all of them. We'll await your work with BATED BREATH!
ASSIGNMENTS:
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1. Read and write parodies if you haven't already.
2. Teach Dave Barry some PSAT words.
3. Teach YOURSELF some PSAT words (blue stuff, green stuff, purple stuff).
4. Do diction worksheet (packet) and assignment #1 (single sheet).
5. Study geometry......THE GEOMETRY BALL is coming tomorrow!
6. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Please prep more wonderful snacks. (We forgot to bring home the team name list.......You know who you are!
7. GET BUSY ONLINE! Do a little bit all along! (We'll be sending progress reports this weekend.)
8. Become an email mystery MAVEN (expert or connoisseur)if you have not already.
9. Think SKIT!
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Now for your nightly VocabuTale:
Today's letter is "C."
A MYSTERY
It was one of those steamy nights when the sky is lousy with stars. I was enjoying a CATHARTIC (cleansing, allowing a release of tension or emotion) CEREBRATION (thought)and CULLING (selecting, weeding out) the blue M & M's CACHE in the office of the Sure-Lock Homes Locksmith and Detective Agency. Suddenly, my COGITATIONS (ruminations, deep and careful thinking) were interrupted by a CACOPHONOUS (sounding discordant, terrible and generally unpleasant to listen to, opposite of "euphonious") sound and a cataclysmic vibration that reverberated through my CAPACIOUS (spacious) office. I stepped with CIRCUMSPECTION (prudence, caution) into the hall because I was afraid someone might be up to some CHICANERY (trickery). I found a CHAOTIC (utter confusion) scene: a CORPULENT (obese, fat bodied) man lying CONTORTED (twisted, bent) at the bottom of the stairs. Blood was gushing though a wound in his side, and I could see the CILIATED (having tiny hairs) lining of his small intestine. I decided to take charge.
I said with COMPUNCTION (strong uneasiness caused by guilt; remorse, contrition), "Golly, are you okay?"
He replied CAUSTICALLY ((burning, characterized by a bitter wit) , "Sure, I'm just swell. And how was your day?"
"Peachy," I said.
At that he bellowed CHOLERICALLY (hot-temperedly). "You CALLOUS (unfeeling, unsympathetic) piece of CARRION (rotting flesh)! Can't you see I've been shot? Did you think this hole in my chest was a CONGENITAL (existing at birth) condition? Get me to a hospital with CELERITY (swiftness, speed)!"
"You don't have to be so CAPTIOUS (fault-finding), CANTANKEROUS (ill-natured, quarrelsome), and CHURLISH (boorish, rude). Let me COGITATE (think deeply and carefully, ruminate)!"
"If I don't have this wound CAUTERIZED (to burn tissue), I'll be a CADAVER (corpse)."
At that moment a comely broad walked into the office. She COMPORTED (behaved in a particular way) herself calmly. She was voluptuous and yet seemed CHASTE (pure, unspoiled, virginal). I was overcome with CONCUPISCENT (relating to sexual desire, lustful) thoughts that should be CENSORED (removed due to inappropriate nature). She pointed at the wounded man and said, "We were in my apartment; he got up to answer the door, and suddenly I heard a CACOPHONOUS sound and a cataclysmic vibration that must have reverberated in your CAPACIOUS office.
Just then my assistant, Watt, entered. he said, handing me the phone, "My kid wants to know what sort of tree he should plant in our garden. What do you think, Sure-lock?"
"A lemon tree, my dear Watt's son," I said.
Then Watt became COGNIZANT (fully informed and aware, conscious) of the situation. he COWERED (to quiver and shrink from fear) and said, "What is that?"
"It's a plant with little yellow fruit and . . ."
He interrupted me, "No, that body on the floor."
"Oh, golly, I forgot. We should get him to a hospital. But wait!" I COUNTERMANDED (canceled a command), "I need to stop for COMESTIBLES (food) on the way!"
We all lifted the body CONCURRENTLY (at the same time) and put it in my car.
When we arrived at the hospital, the doctor informed us that the CORPULENT man was dead.
"Golly, that's too bad," I said with CONTRITION (remorse, repentance, bitter regret felt owing to wrongdoing).
Well, it was time for me to get to the bottom of this heinous crime. CONVOKING (calling together, causing to assemble) the small crowd, I asked the dame, "Who was that man?"
"My husband," she replied, CRESTFALLEN (dejected).
"Were your CONJUGAL (pertaining to marriage) relations good?"
"Well, no, in fact we had been CELIBATE (without sexual activity) for a long time."
"Why?"
"Speaking with CANDOR (frankness), I chose to be CHASTE" (virtuous, free from indecency, not having enegaged in ILLICIT -- illegal-- sex).
"Is it CRASS (uncultured, crude) to ask why you chose to be CHASTE?"
"Because it starts with the letter C."
"Aha! Well, let's get to the CRUX (main point, central issue, heart of the matter) of the situation. Did you kill your husband?"
"How dare you CENSURE (criticize, blame) me like that. What a CALUMNIOUS (slanderous, defamatory) CONJECTURE (statement made without adequate evidence)!"
I repeated, "Did you kill him?"
"With CHAGRIN (embarrassment), she CAPITULATED (surrendered). "Well, only a little, but Watt will CORROBORATE (to testify in agreement, to support with testimony) that. He CAJOLED (coaxed) me into it."
"Watt! What brought you to it? CUPIDITY (greed, avarice)? All the time I thought you were on the side of the law and you were really COVERTLY (concealed, secret) planning this crime. My CREDULITY (gullibility)! You CHARLATAN (quack, someone who pretends he's someone he's not)! I will bring you both to justice without CLEMENCY (mildness of temper -- especially leniency toward an enemy or in sentencing a criminal), and I'm sure you will be CASTIGATED (punished)with a prison sentence and CORPORAL (of the body, bodily) punishment COMMENSURATE (equal, proportionate) with the seriousness of the crime."
Taken from Berger, Larry, et al. Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the SAT. New York: Workman, 1998.
For more mysteries, email Ms. Shiv.
DIDACTICALLY ( instructively, informatively, intending to teach) yours,
FROM YOUR DARLING DIDACTS, otherwise known as your PSAT PEDAGOGUES
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Tues., July 10, 2007
Dear PERSPICACIOUS PSATer:
Because we’re spending our afternoons ELUCIDATING (making clear) Civil War economics for ASPIRING (desiring and aiming eagerly at achievement) academic decathletes, we’re a bit DILATORY (tardy) in posting. But we’re certainly not DESULTORY (without direction)! Our actions are in line with our ASPIRATIONS, which are to help you all ACTUALIZE (realize, make real) your
academic potential!
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ASSIGNMENTS: Work on these and try to remember to do what Mrs. Shivers asked you to do!
1. Log on to number2.com or Quizlab and do at least one exercise.
2. YELLOW SHEETS - Math
A. Do worksheet. DUE WED. (that's tomorrow!)
B. Study formulas for QUIZ WED.! (Guess what....tomorrow, too!)
3. ORANGE SHEETS -
A. 4 of you need to et photo posting permission slip signed. You know
who you are!
B. Work on PSAT PARODY (due THURS.) Email digital
copy & turn in hard copy.
4. BLUE& GREEN SHEETS - vocabulary
A. Work on BLUES (201 and MVP)
B. Start on GREENS (People You Meet on the PSAT)
5. PURPLE: Begin PERUSING (looking over PERNICIOUS PAIRS & such. If you take it to the potty with you every time you go this week, you should be able to get through it and mark the stuff you don't know for carding!)
6. GROUP WORK:
A. Focus on your skit responsibilities!
B. BEACH SLEEPING GYLLEN HALLS: Don't forget that you are responsible
for tomorrow's breaktime REPAST (meal).....Well, that's a bit of
an overstatement. Just don't for get the COPIOUS COMESTIBLES for our
snack!
7. READING:
A. "Stayin' Alive" by Friday (That 70s Day...Don't forget to plan your costume!)
B. Tonight's VOCABUtale.
By the way, we recommend you look for the BURIED BOOTY (treasure --- translate: bonus points) below!
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Bolivian Bacchanal
With a BAWDY (obscene, coarse, lewdly humorous) exclamation, the burly buccaneers brutishly pushed us out of the helicopter BEREFT (lacking something needed) of any parachute, and the BREVITYour flight and BRUSQUENESS (brief, curt, gruff, discourteous) of our landing were not the BUCOLIC(pastoral, country) experiences described in our blonde travel agent's BLAND (not stimulating, dull).
We found ourselves in a jungle with all sorts of BANEFUL* (something which is reallyor deadly) beasties crawling around our feet and BALEFUL (something that exerts an evilor foreshadows evil) animal noises echoing around us.
"Yo," said my BUMPTIOUS (self-assertive) companion with BRAGGADOCIO (cockiness) as he(polished) his machete. "What say we bash our way out of this place?"
But before I could respond, we were captured by a BELLICOSE (violent, warlike) and(rowdy) tribe of natives about to performs its BELATED (delayed, late) BIENNIAL(every two years) human sacrifice to the fish goddess. We called a BARRISTER (lawyer), who offered(displaying or imparting joy) BLANDISHMENTS (flattery). But in order to save our skins,both had to be BETROTHED (engaged) to the chief's daughter Brunnehilde.
"Yo," said my companion. "This is a bit of a bummer. I should BERATE (scold severely) youBOMBASTICALLY (grandiloquent [wordy, pompous] in speech or writing) BEGUILING (tricking)into going on this BLIGHTED (ruined, destroyed, withered) vacation." Then the axe fell and the BACCHANALIAN (orgiastic; like wild drunken revelry) rituals the BENEVOLENT (kind) fish goddess began.
*Please note: BALEFUL and BANEFUL are similar in meaning, but not entirely synonymous. To remember this,"baneful" rhymes with "painful" -- which deadly things tend to be!
Berger, Larry et al. Up Your Score: The Underground Guide to the SAT. New York, Workman,
Now, for your buried treasure....... See the new link for a BUSH BACCHANALIA!!!!! The Dancin' Dubya is PRICELESS! (You know, he's just the right age to have been "Stayin' Alive" on the 70s disco scene!)
Show us what you know! Email Ms. Shiv your answers to these TRIVIA questions in order to collect REAL treasure (BONUS PTS.).
"Stayin' Alive"--.
1. On pp. 16 & 17 (1st sheet, Find the terms meaning
A. that which is established or accepted as correct belief
B. opposite of explosion
C. VIPS, GIANTS taken from ancient Greek race of giants descended from Uranus and Gaea, who ruled the world until the Olympian gods ZAPPED 'em!.
2. What WAS the SATURDAY NIGHT MASSACRE to which the article alludes?
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Mon., July 9, 2007
Dear PERSPICACIOUS PSATer,
Welcome to our VIRTUAL ABODE. Here you will find a PLETHORA of GERMANE information (vocabulary in context, flashcard for drill [click "flashcards" in box above], and links, links, LINKS [ just scroll down]! ) to assist you in your VALIANT QUEST to achieve the ever-so-possible dream, a 200+ on your PSAT.
Stop and click the NOTIFY ME function, enter the REQUISITE personal information, and submit POSTHASTE. Registration will ensure that you get an automatic update reminders via email.
Got a QUERY? With a quick click on the site's email function, you've got PERPETUAL access to our assistance. We are, after all, willing THRALLS -- VASSALS in the service of the EXPONENTIAL AUGMENTATION your score. But the resulting correspondence simply says "EMAIL FROM SCHOOLNOTES VISITOR." If you want us to respond with ALACRITY, it's best to type in the email addresses listed on your sheet and to include PSAT in your subject line. Oh, and rememeber that because we don't regognize your email address,NOMENCLATURE is necessary. That means you must be sure to include your APPELATION (both first and last names) in your EPISTLE!
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TONIGHT'S ASSIGNMENTS
1. YELLOW SHEETS - Math
A. Do worksheet. DUE TUES. (that's tomorrow!)
B. Study formulas for QUIZ WED.!
2. ORANGE SHEETS -
A. Get photo posting permission slip signed. (And show your parents the preview video if you think they'd be interested. It's linked above.)
B. Work on PSAT PARODY (due THURS.) Email digital
copy & turn in hard copy.
3. BLUE SHEETS - vocabulary
A. If you haven't done your 201 words/CROSSWORDS,
get busy!
B. Begin working in the new blue vocabulary packet
covering THE MIGHTY PREFIX, ROOTS & BRANCHES, and
SYNONYM CLUSTERS. That includes downloading
the virtual flashcards linked in the box above and
actually studying them!
4. GROUP WORK:
A. Begin thinking about skit possibilites.
B. FRESH GREEN POTATOES: We need more than just food for
thought at break tomorrow. Don't forget to fix COPIOUS
COMESTIBLES for our physical SUSTENANCE! (In other words,
prepare for the snack-attack!
(You'll find only mental "munchies" here in cyberspace -- virtual VICTUALS ...PROVERBIAL "food for thought," ...COPIOUS COMESTIBLES of context and connotation which will provide AMPLE intellectual SUSTENANCE.)
5. READING:
A. Hershey's PARODY. (Card any words you don't know.)
B. Tonight's VOCABUtale for the letter "A." We recommend you print out a hard copy for your notebook. Just cut and paste into a word processor.
STRESSED OUT ALREADY? Not-to-worry! Just download our lovely Stress Reliever and have-at the screen right now. It's linked above!
Now, for a few SUCCULENT vocabulary MORSELS for you to savor...........
Tonight's installment is our VOCABULARY EPIC is . . .
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THE AUDACIOUS AARDVARK
The AUDACIOUS (daring, bold) aardvark was rooting around in the grass for some lunch with which to ASSUAGE (relieve, lessen) his hunger when his ADROIT(dexterous, agile, nimble) friend Bob the baboon waddled up with ALACRITY (eager willingness, celerity) and ACCOSTED (approached) him. "Hey Man," Bob said, beginning an ALTERCATION (noisy or heated dispute). "Why do you ABASE (lower) yourself in that ATYPICAL (not standard,uncharacteristic) way? I ADVOCATE(support) the AGILE (nimble) use of a knife and fork."
"You are an ass," the aardvark replied politely. "It would be more AESTHETICALLY (appealing to the sense of beauty) pleasing if I were to eat that way, but the use of utensils would be too AFFECTED (put on, faked, a pretense) for a simple aardvark. In addition, I am AVERSE (opposed, disinclined) to such an idea because it might ALLEVIATE (relieve, lessen) my acne, which looks good on me."
"That has to be the APEX (height, zenith) of stupidity," Bob said, AGHAST (in horrified amazement). "And while we're on the subject of your appearance, I must ask you why you are so APATHETIC (disinterested, indifferent) about your hygiene. At least you could AMELIORATE (make better) your looks and odor by taking a bath."
"Never ALLUDE (refer) to my ALLEGED (asserted without evidence, presumed) AVERSION (feeling of strong dislike) to cleanliness again," the aardvark said with AUSTERITY (severity, sternness). "May I remind you that even with your nearly ANTHROPOID (manlike) form, you still pick lice out of strangers' hair."
Sensing that the conversation had gone AWRY (amiss, off the right course) and feeling ABASHED (disconcerted, self-conscious or ashamed), Bob's (daring, boldness) ABATED (subsided, lessened), and he to began to AMASS (collect, pile up) a pile of grubs from the grass.
The characters in this story are entirely fictitious. Any resemblance to real people,or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Berger, Larry et al. UP YOUR SCORE: THE UNDERGROUND GUIDE TO THE SAT, New York, Workman, 1998.
GOODNIGHT from your PSINCERELY PSERIOUS PSAT PEDAGOGUES
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Thurs., June 28, 2007
(hard copy metered and mailed Fri., June 29, 2007)
Dear Parents and PSATers,
The first day of the PSAT Summer Workshop is almost here, and we are brimming with excitement at the prospect of seeing all of our potential National Merit Semifinalists. This group meets the requirement for outstanding achievement, and they’re darn cute, too. So that you and your PSATer will be ready to start, please read the following information:
1. The dates for the workshop are *Monday, July 9, 2007 – Friday, July 20, 2007. *PLEASE NOTE ITEM # 2.
2. The Superintendent of the Madison Co. Schools has asked us to present a forum for district superintendents and principals at their state convention on JULY 17, 2007; therefore, we will NOT MEET on Tuesday, July 17, 2007.
However, we will recapture this lost time on Thursday, July 19, 2007
from 1:00-4:00. To keep from losing time, students should plan to bring a sack lunch and eat on campus. There will NOT be time to leave and then return.
3. We will begin each day at 9:00 AM sharp. Please arrive in time to be in the CHOIR ROOM, ready to begin at 9:00 AM. Park and enter at the rear. Chronic tardiness and absenteeism is a waste of your parents’ money, AND we do notify parents if this becomes a problem.
4. Students from the 10th grade class should bring their PSAT binders; if your PSATer was not in the class, then he/she should bring a 2- or 3-inch binder to hold all materials. Also, each PSATer should bring his/her calculator and pens/pencils.
5. Balances are due on July 9. We will not allow your child to return if balances are not paid on or by this date. Your current balance is listed at the end of this letter.
6. Students who were unable to take the PSAT in the spring should plan to stay on July 9 to take the test. We will start at 1:00 and finish about 4:00. The following students need to take the test:
Chad Bowman, Maggie Brister, Betsy Bruening, Katharine Butts, Timmy Dasinger, Ariel Davis, Katie Harris, Tyler Layton, Hardage Lewis, Lindsey Mashburn, Sarah McRae, Ashley Monaghan, Caitlin Nowell,
7. The status of your account:
Balance Due: (SEE "snail-mailed" letter for personal information)
We thank you for the opportunity to continue working with your child. If you have questions, please feel free to call the school at 601-856-7121 or email any of us.
Beverly Daniel email: bdaniel@madison-schools.com
Deborah Reed email: dreed@madison-schools.com
Susan Shivers email: sshivers@madison-schools.com
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7/27/06
Dear PERSPICACIOUS PSATer,
After a brief RESPITE (rest) during which there was a HIATUS (period of interruption) in posting, we are back with VOLUMINOUS VocabuTales for your EDIFICATION (education and improvement). We understand that you have much summer required reading to complete; therefore, we are ENDEAVORING (trying earnestly) not to make these vocabulary AUGMENTATION (addition in size) activities an ONEROUS (heavy, PONDEROUS, taxing, one to be dreaded) burden.
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Just a reminder to work at number2.com and quizlab as time allows. You'll be glad you did once school starts!
****** Please find Voc. Tale S below. It’s a tale of shocking courtroom shenanigans. When you finish, we’ve provided a list of SHYSTER (sleazy lawyer) jokes to give you a little lift. You might say that these JOCULAR offerings are offered in a JOCOSE vein!
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A SHOCKING COURTROOM SAGA
My sweat glands were working overtime in the STAGNANT (not moving or flowing, motionless and stale) air of the courtroom as I STOLIDLY (showing little emotion or pain; emotionally solid) continued my unscrupulous questioning of the SINISTER (foreboding of evil) defendant on trial for SEDITION (conduct or language inciting rebellion against authority) -- related to the SURREPTITIOUS (done clandestinely -- secretly -- or by stealth) taking away of SUFFRAGE (franchise, right to vote). Although he remained STEADFAST (unwavering) in proclaiming his innocence, the jury was obviously SKEPTICAL (doubting, disbelieving). When I SUPERSEDED (took the place of) him on the c | |
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