Learn on PengiVocabulary for the College Bound Student (Grade 8)Chapter 2: Learning New Words From the Context

Lesson 1: Contexts With Contrasting Words

Grade 8 students in Vocabulary for the College Bound Student learn how to use contrasting words and antonyms as context clues to determine the meanings of unfamiliar vocabulary. In this lesson, students analyze passages to identify clues from opposite or contrasting ideas, then study new words such as ameliorate, detriment, conserve, exotic, folly, and harmony along with their antonyms and usage in sentences.

Section 1

Words of Change and Consequence

Key Words

Here are the first words in our list, which deal with making things better, saving them, or causing harm.

ameliorate (v.)amelioration (n.)conserve (v.)
conservation (n.)conservationist (n.)detriment (n.)
detrimental (adj.)

Explanation

This group of words focuses on change and its consequences. You can ameliorate a situation to improve it, conserve resources to save them for later, or face a detriment that causes harm or disadvantage. They are all about the positive or negative outcomes of actions and conditions.

Section 2

Describing Origins and Judgment

Key Words

This set of words helps us describe where something is from, judge an action, or place an event in time.

exotic (adj.)folly (n.)formerly (adv.)
former (adj.)

Explanation

These words help add important details about quality, judgment, and time. An exotic plant comes from a foreign country. Folly describes an action that is foolish and lacks good sense. Something that happened formerly occurred in a previous period. They are essential for providing context and evaluation.

Section 3

Words of Harmony and Obstruction

Key Words

Let's look at words that describe getting along, paying no attention, and things that get in our way.

harmony (n.)harmonious (adj.)ignore (v.)
ignoramus (n.)impediment (n.)impede (v.)

Explanation

This group deals with social interactions and the barriers that can affect them. Harmony refers to peace and agreement. In contrast, you can ignore a warning, which might lead to trouble. An impediment is an obstacle or hindrance that stops progress, making it difficult to achieve harmony.

Section 4

Words for States and Conditions

Key Words

These adjectives are perfect for describing people, things, and legal states.

indolent (adj.)indolence (n.)intact (adj.)
invalid (adj.)invalidate (v.)invalid (n.)

Explanation

This set of words describes various states and conditions. An indolent person is lazy and avoids work. Something left intact is complete and uninjured, especially after a disaster. A contract or ticket becomes invalid when it is no longer legally binding or has expired.

Section 5

Words of Safety, Spending, and Destruction

Key Words

This trio of words covers a specific health quality, an attitude toward money, and a powerful action.

noncarcinogenic (adj.)parsimonious (adj.)parsimony (n.)
raze (v.)

Explanation

Here we have a mix of specific but useful terms. A substance proven to be noncarcinogenic is considered safe because it doesn't cause cancer. A parsimonious person is extremely stingy with money. To raze a building is to completely demolish it, leaving nothing behind.

Section 6

Words of Behavior and Response

Key Words

Our final group of words describes how people communicate, respond to rules, and behave in different situations.

reticent (adj.)reticence (n.)retire (v.)
retort (v.)retort (n.)subvert (v.)
subversion (n.)tractable (adj.)tractability (n.)

Explanation

These words cover a range of behaviors and actions. A reticent person is quiet or reserved. When you retort, you give a sharp answer. To subvert is to undermine authority. A tractable person, however, is easy to lead or manage, unlike someone who is unruly.

Book overview

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Chapter 2: Learning New Words From the Context

  1. Lesson 1Current

    Lesson 1: Contexts With Contrasting Words

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  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Contexts With Similar Words

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  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: “Commonsense” Contexts

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  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Mixed Contexts

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Lesson overview

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Section 1

Words of Change and Consequence

Key Words

Here are the first words in our list, which deal with making things better, saving them, or causing harm.

ameliorate (v.)amelioration (n.)conserve (v.)
conservation (n.)conservationist (n.)detriment (n.)
detrimental (adj.)

Explanation

This group of words focuses on change and its consequences. You can ameliorate a situation to improve it, conserve resources to save them for later, or face a detriment that causes harm or disadvantage. They are all about the positive or negative outcomes of actions and conditions.

Section 2

Describing Origins and Judgment

Key Words

This set of words helps us describe where something is from, judge an action, or place an event in time.

exotic (adj.)folly (n.)formerly (adv.)
former (adj.)

Explanation

These words help add important details about quality, judgment, and time. An exotic plant comes from a foreign country. Folly describes an action that is foolish and lacks good sense. Something that happened formerly occurred in a previous period. They are essential for providing context and evaluation.

Section 3

Words of Harmony and Obstruction

Key Words

Let's look at words that describe getting along, paying no attention, and things that get in our way.

harmony (n.)harmonious (adj.)ignore (v.)
ignoramus (n.)impediment (n.)impede (v.)

Explanation

This group deals with social interactions and the barriers that can affect them. Harmony refers to peace and agreement. In contrast, you can ignore a warning, which might lead to trouble. An impediment is an obstacle or hindrance that stops progress, making it difficult to achieve harmony.

Section 4

Words for States and Conditions

Key Words

These adjectives are perfect for describing people, things, and legal states.

indolent (adj.)indolence (n.)intact (adj.)
invalid (adj.)invalidate (v.)invalid (n.)

Explanation

This set of words describes various states and conditions. An indolent person is lazy and avoids work. Something left intact is complete and uninjured, especially after a disaster. A contract or ticket becomes invalid when it is no longer legally binding or has expired.

Section 5

Words of Safety, Spending, and Destruction

Key Words

This trio of words covers a specific health quality, an attitude toward money, and a powerful action.

noncarcinogenic (adj.)parsimonious (adj.)parsimony (n.)
raze (v.)

Explanation

Here we have a mix of specific but useful terms. A substance proven to be noncarcinogenic is considered safe because it doesn't cause cancer. A parsimonious person is extremely stingy with money. To raze a building is to completely demolish it, leaving nothing behind.

Section 6

Words of Behavior and Response

Key Words

Our final group of words describes how people communicate, respond to rules, and behave in different situations.

reticent (adj.)reticence (n.)retire (v.)
retort (v.)retort (n.)subvert (v.)
subversion (n.)tractable (adj.)tractability (n.)

Explanation

These words cover a range of behaviors and actions. A reticent person is quiet or reserved. When you retort, you give a sharp answer. To subvert is to undermine authority. A tractable person, however, is easy to lead or manage, unlike someone who is unruly.

Book overview

Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.

Continue this chapter

Chapter 2: Learning New Words From the Context

  1. Lesson 1Current

    Lesson 1: Contexts With Contrasting Words

    LearnPractice
  2. Lesson 2

    Lesson 2: Contexts With Similar Words

    LearnPractice
  3. Lesson 3

    Lesson 3: “Commonsense” Contexts

    LearnPractice
  4. Lesson 4

    Lesson 4: Mixed Contexts

    LearnPractice