Grade 9 Unit 5: Lord of the Flies

clamber (v)

Definition: To climb something using your hands and feet with effort.

Example: "He was _______ing heavily among the creepers and broken trunks..."

lagoon (n)

Definition: A shallow lake of salt water near the sea.

Example: "...began to pick his way toward the ______."

multitude (n)

Definition: A very large number of people or things.

Example: "The undergrowth at the side of the scar was shaken and a _________ of raindrops fell pattering."

proffer (n)

Definition: An offer or a suggestion.

Example: "...but this _______ of acquaintance was not made..."

efflorescence (n)

Definition: The process of flowers or colorful parts growing.

Example: "It was clear to the bottom and bright with the _____________ of tropical weed and coral."

specious (adj)

Definition: Looking right or true but actually wrong.

Example: "Ralph had been deceived before now by the _______ appearance of depth in a beach pool..."

decorous (adj)

Definition: Polite, calm, and well-behaved.

Example: "Suddenly Piggy was a-bubble with ________ excitement."

strident (adj)

Definition: Having a loud, harsh, and unpleasant sound.

Example: "...the note, fluking up an octave, became a _______ blare more penetrating than before."

mortification (n)

Definition: A strong feeling of being very ashamed or embarrassed.

Example: "...the freckles on Jack's face disappeared under a blush of _____________."

ebullience (n)

Definition: A state of being very energetic and excited.

Example: "...keep up with the senseless __________ of the children..."

recrimination (n)

Definition: Blaming someone who has already blamed you.

Example: "His voice lifted into the whine of virtuous _____________."

tumult (n)

Definition: A loud noise or a state of confusion.

Example: "He paused in the ______, standing, looking beyond them..."

tirade (n)

Definition: A long and angry speech.

Example: "By now they were listening to the ."

mirage (n)

Definition: An image of something that is not really there, caused by heat.

Example: "Piggy discounted all this learnedly as a ''..."

chronic (adj)

Definition: Lasting for a long time or happening many times.

Example: "They were used now to stomach-aches and a sort of _______ diarrhoea."

detritus (n)

Definition: Small pieces of waste or trash.

Example: "...any of the strewn ________ of landward life."

impalpable (adj)

Definition: Not able to be felt or touched.

Example: "With __________ organs of sense they examined this new field."

taboo (n)

Definition: A rule or custom that says something is forbidden.

Example: "Here, invisible yet strong, was the _____ of the old life."

sinewy (adj)

Definition: Lean and strong with lots of muscle.

Example: "Beside the pool his ______ body held up a mask that drew their eyes and appalled them."

malevolently (adv)

Definition: In a way that shows a desire to hurt others.

Example: "He looked ___________ at Jack."

opaque (adj)

Definition: Not clear; difficult to see through or understand.

Example: "...while the ______ look appeared in Jack's eyes and passed away."

inarticulate (adj)

Definition: Not able to speak or express ideas clearly.

Example: "Simon became ____________ in his effort to express mankind's essential illness."

mimicry (n)

Definition: The act of copying the way someone speaks or moves.

Example: "Jack's voice sounded in bitter _______."

discursive (adj)

Definition: Moving from one topic to another without a clear plan.

Example: "The assembly shredded away and became a _________ and random scatter..."

generic (adj)

Definition: Relating to a whole group rather than a specific person.

Example: "The smaller boys were known now by the _______ title of 'littluns.'"

belligerence (n)

Definition: An aggressive or fighting attitude.

Example: "...Johnny was well built, with fair hair and a natural ____________."

cynicism (n)

Definition: The belief that people are only selfish.

Example: "The half-shut eyes were dim with the infinite ________ of adult life."

corpulent (adj)

Definition: Having a large, fat, or bulky body.

Example: "...the ________ figure would bow forward, sighing..."

parody (n)

Definition: A silly or bad copy of something.

Example: "The tangle of lines showed him the mechanics of this ______..."

saunter (v)

Definition: To walk in a slow and relaxed way.

Example: "..._______ed to the edge of the grass."

succulent (adj)

Definition: Juicy and delicious to eat.

Example: "The boys with the spit gave Ralph and Piggy each a ________ chunk."

phosphorescence (n)

Definition: Light that glows without heat (like glowing water).

Example: "...occasionally they turned cartwheels down by the moving streak of _______________."

unendurable (adj)

Definition: Too painful or difficult to handle.

Example: "The blue-white scar was constant, the noise ___________."

demented (adj)

Definition: Acting in a wild or crazy way.

Example: "One piglet, with a ________ shriek, rushed into the sea..."

inquisitive (adj)

Definition: Very curious and wanting to know more.

Example: "Softly, surrounded by a fringe of ___________ bright creatures..."

cascade (v)

Definition: To flow or pour down quickly in large amounts.

Example: "..._______ing the water from the forest trees."

anonymous (adj)

Definition: Not having a known name or identity.

Example: "The _________ shapes fought their way out and through."

loathing (n)

Definition: A feeling of very strong hate or disgust.

Example: "There was _______, and at the same time a kind of feverish excitement, in his voice."

impaired (adj)

Definition: Damaged, weakened, or not working perfectly.

Example: "...gazing with ________ sight at the chief's seat and the glittering lagoon."

befouled (adj)

Definition: Dirty or made very filthy.

Example: "The green light and the glossy patches of sunshine played over their ________ bodies."

gesticulate (v)

Definition: To move your arms and hands while you are speaking.

Example: "He was ___________ing, searching for a formula."

stricken (adj)

Definition: Deeply troubled or affected by something bad.

Example: "Ralph's voice, low and ________, stopped Piggy's gestures."

somberly (adv)

Definition: In a very serious, quiet, or sad way.

Example: "Roger, sitting on the very edge of the cliff, looked ________ back at the island..."

theological (adj)

Definition: Related to the study of God or religion.

Example: "A ___________ speculation presented itself."

speculation (n)

Definition: A guess about something without having all the facts.

Example: "A theological ___________ presented itself."

mechanical (adj)

Definition: Done without thinking, like a machine.

Example: "The response was __________."

ungainly (adj)

Definition: Moving in a clumsy or awkward way.

Example: "Ralph remembered the ________ figure on a parachute."

exult (v)

Definition: To show great joy or excitement because of a success.

Example: "..._____ing in his achievement."

conviction (n)

Definition: A very strong belief or opinion.

Example: "Then, at the moment of greatest passion and __________..."

solemn (adj)

Definition: Very serious or formal.

Example: "So leave the mountain alone, said the chief, ______ly..."