Vocabulary and Grammar Lesson Seven

Vocabulary Words and Definitions

  • Cynical

    • Definition: Doubtful or distrustful of the goodness or sincerity of human motives.

  • Ambivalent

    • Definition: Having opposing attitudes or feelings toward a person, thing, or idea; unable to decide.

  • Demagogue

    • Definition: A leader who appeals to citizens' emotions to obtain power.

  • Demure

    • Definition: Quiet and modest; quite a trend these days.

  • Intrepid

    • Definition: Without fear; brave.

  • Destitute

    • Definition: Extremely poor; lacking necessities such as food and shelter.

  • Erudite

    • Definition: Scholarly, learned.

  • Dilemma

    • Definition: A choice between two unpleasant or difficult options.

  • Culmination

    • Definition: The highest point of attainment; the end or climax.

  • Concur

    • Definition: To be of the same opinion; to agree with.

  • Example: "I concur that English to honors is the best class on my schedule."

Identifying Appositives

  • Definition: An appositive is a phrase that renames or gives more information about a noun, allowing for additional detail and variety in writing.

  • Understanding Appositives:

    • Appositives can help clarify or add nuance about the primary noun in a sentence.

  • Example:

    • Noun Phrase: Mister Rex

    • Appositive: An adventurous eater

    • Full Sentence: "Mister Rex, an adventurous eater, had a dinosaur egg for breakfast."

Rules for Using Appositives

  • When an appositive adds nonessential information for understanding the sentence, it should be surrounded by commas.

    • Example: "Chris, a talented gymnast, always cartwheels to class."

  • When the appositive is essential for the meaning of the sentence, commas are not needed.

    • Noun Phrase: My friend

    • Appositive: Maria

    • Full Sentence: "My friend Maria teaches bears how to dance."

Placement of Appositives

  • Appositives typically follow the noun they describe but can also precede it.

    • Example with Appositive Before Noun: "A stylish raccoon, Rocky, never leaves home without his top hat."

  • Example:

    • Appositive: A fan of spicy food

    • Noun: Alex

    • Full Sentence: "A fan of spicy food, Alex, always brings a bottle of hot sauce to lunch."

Practice Questions

  • Identify the Appositive: In the phrase "Alex, a fan of spicy food, always brings a bottle of hot sauce to lunch," what is the appositive?

    • Answer: "A fan of spicy food" is the appositive.

  • Identify the Appositive in a New Context: In the phrase "after basketball practice, my friend Damian eats a whole plate of nachos," what is the appositive?

    • Answer: "Damian" is the appositive that gives more information about the noun.

Study Tips

  • Practice identifying appositive phrases for upcoming quizzes on vocab and grammar.

  • Utilize online platforms such as NoRedInk for additional practice.

  • Seek help if you encounter difficulties; do not hesitate to ask questions during class.