Lesson 4: Central Ideas 16-20

Let's explore words that describe where we live, where we're from, and how we get around!

Key Words

• Squirrels are the most common denizens of our city park.
• This delicious cheese isn't local; it was imported from abroad.
• The new rules allow each inmate to have one phone call per week.

This group of words is all about places and movement. Some describe your home or where you live, like a domicile or being a denizen of a town. Others focus on travel, from a daily commute to a seasonal migration.

Ready to walk on the wild side? These words are all about pushing back against the rules.

Key Words

• My little sister can be so perverse; if I tell her to be quiet, she decides to sing at the top of her lungs.
• The student insurgents protesting the new dress code refused to return to class.
• Forgetting to sign your name on the test is a minor infraction of the rules.

These words describe acts of disobedience and resistance. An infraction is a minor breaking of a rule, while an insurrection is a major revolt. Someone who is insubordinate refuses to follow orders, often in a stubborn or perverse way.

Now for the opposite! These words describe cooperation, obedience, and following the lead of others.

Key Words

• Our new puppy is very docile and learned to sit after only a few tries.
• Even though I wanted to watch a different movie, I decided to defer to my friend's choice since it was her birthday.
• The manager preferred meek employees who wouldn't question his decisions.

This set of terms focuses on agreement and submission. To acquiesce is to agree quietly, while showing allegiance means demonstrating loyalty. A person who is docile or tractable is easy to lead or teach, and they often defer to others out of respect.

It's about time we learned these words! They all help us describe when, how often, and for how long things happen.

Key Words

• My two favorite shows are concurrent, so I have to record one to watch later.
• The rain was sporadic at first, but now it's a steady downpour.
• The lawyer tried to protract the meeting by asking irrelevant questions, dragging it out for another hour.

These words relate to the concept of time and duration. Something chronic lasts a long time, while something sporadic happens only occasionally. If an event is imminent, it's about to occur, and if you procrastinate, you're putting it off!

Let's figure out what's truly needed and what's just extra with this group of words.

Key Words

• A good pair of hiking boots is indispensable for a trip to the mountains.
• His long-winded speech was full of superfluous details that bored the audience.
• Pre-ordering the tickets online will obviate the need to wait in a long line at the theater.

This group explores what is necessary versus what is not. An indispensable item is one you can't do without, making it a prerequisite for a task. In contrast, something superfluous is extra or unneeded. Some actions are compulsory (required), while others are gratuitous (uncalled for).