by Chinua Achebe Things Fall Apart

13 Pages·2002·0.29 MB·English

120

Things Fall Apart

by Chinua Achebe

Definitions

Copyright © 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
Things Fall Apart

Definitions

1. adherent ad HEER unt a follower of something such as a leader, party, philosophy, or profession
, <Sy<naodnhyemresn >ta>d disciple, follower, partisan Antonym >> dissenter

He is an adherent of the Democratic party.
Derivatives >> adhere, adherer, adherence, adherently
2. appease uh PEES to pacify, to be conciliatory in a manner that sacrifices principles
, <Sy<naopnpyemasse >u>h conciliate, mollify, placate, propitiate Antonym >> to incense

The woman tried to appease her husband when he became so angry.
Derivatives >> appeased, appeasing, appeasement, appeasable, appeaser
3. approbation ap row BAY shun official approval, praise, commendation
, <Sy<naopnpyrmobsa >ti>o n Antonym >> disapprobation, disapproval

We initiated the attack with the approbation of the general.
Derivatives >> approbate, approbated, approbating, approbative, approbatory, approbativeness
4. arduous AR jew us very difficult to accomplish or to achieve, very demanding (task)
Synonyms >> Antonym >> easy; not difficult

Training to be a gymnast is an arduous activity.
Derivatives >> arduously, arduousness
5. atone uh TONE to make amends
Synonyms >> Antonym >> to offend

He atoned for his theft by repaying his victims.
Derivatives >> atoned, atoning, atoner, atonement
6. audacity aw DAS uh tee excessive boldness, rashness, daring
Synonyms >> cheek, chutzpah, effrontery, gall, hardihood, temerity Antonym >> meekness

I was surprised that he had the audacity to approach the Queen.
Derivatives >> audacious, audaciousness, audaciously
7. benevolence buh NEV uh lunz kindness, generosity, charity
, S<y<nboennyemvosl e>n>c e Antonym >> antagonism; avarice; malevolence

His benevolence was shown when he set up soup kitchens for the poor.
Derivatives >> benevolent, benevolently
8. blasphemous BLAS fuh mus irreverent, profane
, <Sy<nbolansypmhse m>>o u Antonym >> sacred; reverent

Telling that sacrilegious joke is blasphemous.
Derivatives >> blaspheme, blasphemed, blaspheming, blaspemer, blasphemousness, blasphemously, blasphemy
9. calamity kuh LAM uh tee a serious event causing distress or misfortune
, S<y<ncoanlaymmist y>k>u h cataclysm, catastrophe Antonym >> good fortune

The earthquake in Mexico was a calamity.
Derivatives >> calamitous, calamitously, calamitousness
10. c allow KAL oh immature, inexperienced
, <Sy<ncoanlloymwKs >A>L Antonym >> mature; experienced

Rash and hasty decisions are the mark of impetuous, callow youth.
Derivatives >> callowness
11. capricious kuh PRISH us changing suddenly, fickle
, S<y<ncoanpyrmicsi o>u>s k inconstant, mercurial, unstable Antonym >> stable

Her capricious moods are difficult to anticipate.
Derivatives >> caprice, capriciously, capriciousness

Copyright © 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
12. communal kuh MYOON ul pertaining to a group or community
, S<y<ncoonmymmus n>a>l k Antonym >> individual

A hermit does not enjoy communal situations.
Derivatives >> commune, communed, communing, communally, communalism, communalist, communalization,
13. contempt c koumnm TuEnaMlizPeTr scorn, extreme dislike or disdain
, S<y<ncoonnytemms p>t>k u despicableness, pitiableness, scurviness Antonym >> respect

The man treated the gossiping woman with contempt; talking about other people was beneath his dignity.
Derivatives >> contemptible, contemptuous
14. copious KO pee us abundant
, <Sy<ncoonpyiomuss K>>O ample Antonym >> sparse

I always take copious notes in my history class.
Derivatives >> copiousness, copiously
15. deft DEFT skillful, adroit
, <S<yndoefntyDmEsF >T>d e clever, cunning, dexterous, ingenious Antonym >> clumsy

He was very deft in handling the questions from the reporter.
Derivatives >> deftness, deftly
16. degeneration dee gen er A shun a state of decline
, S<y<ndoengyemnes r>a>t io decadence, decline Antonym >> progress

The priest was called after the degeneration of the man's condition.
Derivatives >> degeneracy, degenerately, degenerateness, degenerative, degenerous
17. derision deh REH zhun scoffing at, mockery, ridicule
Synonyms >> Antonym >> applause

The boy received much derision for his plaid gym shorts.
Derivatives >> derisive, derisiveness, derisively, derisory
18. desecrate DES uh krate to violate the sanctity of something, to profane, to adulterate
Synonyms >> Antonym >> to consecrate; to laud; to praise

The hoodlums desecrated the cemetery by painting on the tombstones.
Derivatives >> desecrater, desecration
19. desolate DES uh lit deserted, without inhabitants, barren
, S<y<ndoensoymlaste >D>E Antonym >> populous

Some of the western states have large areas that are desolate.
Derivatives >> desolately, desolateness, desolater, desolating, desolation
20. despairing deh SPARE ing hopeless, despondent, discouraged
, S<y<ndoensypmaisr >in>g d Antonym >> hopeful

The woman's despairing tears touched the hearts of many.
Derivatives >> despair, despaired, despairful, despairfully, despairingly, despairingness
21. discern deh SURN to differentiate between two or more things
, S<y<ndoisncyemrns d>e>h Antonym >> to ignore; to be oblivious; to
confuse
Because of the fog, I was barely able to discern the landing strip.
Derivatives >> discerner, discernible, discernable, discernibleness, discernibly, discernably, discerningly, discernment
22. d iscord DIS kord lack of agreement, tension, strife
, S<y<ndoisncyomrds D>>IS contention, dissension, variance Antonym >> harmony; agreement

There is a lot of discord in the nation over the issue of abortion.
Derivatives >> discordance, discordancy, discordant, discordantly, discordantness
23. dispatch deh SPATCH to send away with promptness or speed; speed, quickness
, <Sy<ndoisnpyamtcsh >d>e h haste, expediency Antonym >> to delay; slowness, inefficiency

The officer dispatched his troops to the scene of conflict.
Derivatives >> dispatched, dispatching, dispatches
24. enthralling en THROL ing captivating, spellbinding
Synonyms >> Antonym >> boring

Because the book was so enthralling, I stayed awake all night reading it.
Derivatives >> enthrall, enthralled, enthrallingly, enthrallment
25. esoteric es uh TER ik understood only by a small group or a select few
Synonyms >> Antonym >> obvious

The English teachers were having an esoteric discussion about the correct usage of some obscure word.
Derivatives >> esoterical, esoterically, esotericism, esotericist, esoterism, esotery

Copyright © 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
26. exacting ig ZAK ting demanding, requiring great care
, S<y<neoxnaycmtins g>i>g burdensome, onerous, oppressive Antonym >> indulgent

Concerning the form of the outline, the teacher was very exacting.
Derivatives >> exact, exactable, exactingly, exactingness
27. expedient ik SPEE dee unt appropriate for a purpose but not necessarily moral, right, or just
, S<y<neoxnpyemdise n>>ti k Antonym >> disadvantageous

In trying to increase political support, the candidate found it expedient to change his stand on taxation.
Derivatives >> expediate, expedience, expediency, expediential, expedientist, expediently
28. feint FAYNT a false appearance, a fake punch to occupy defenses allowing a real blow.
, <Sy<nfeoinnytFmAs Y>N> artifice, ruse, stratagem, trick, wile Antonym >>

Fooled by his opponent's feint, the boxer dropped his guard and was knocked down.
Derivatives >> feign, feigned, feigning, feignedly, feigner
29. ferment FUR ment state of agitation, commotion
, <Sy<nfeornmymenst F>>U Antonym >> peace; calm

During the Civil War, much of the country was in a state of ferment.
Derivatives >> fermentability, fermentable, fermental, fermentation, fermentative, fermenter
30. ferocity fuh ROS eh tee savagery
, S<y<nfeornoycmitsy >fu>h Antonym >> mildness

A tiger is an animal that has ferocity.
Derivatives >> ferocious, ferociously, ferociousness
31. flourish FLUR ish to thrive, to grow well
Synonyms >> Antonym >> to wither

The company flourished after a new board of directors took control.
Derivatives >> flourisher, flourishing, flourishingly, flourishy
32. fugitive FYOO jeh tiv a person who is elusive or hard to find, wandering
Synonyms >> ephemeral, evanescent, fleeting, transient, transitory Antonym >> firmly established

The criminal became a fugitive who spent his life running from the law.
Derivatives >> fugitate, fugitation, fugitives, fugitively, fugitiveness, fugitivity
33. grievous GREE vus characterized by severe suffering or sorrow, serious or grave
, <Sy<ngornieyvmous s>G>R Antonym >> minor

You made a grievous error when you spoke to your parents in such a horrible fashion.
Derivatives >> grievously, grievousness
34. harbingers HAR bin jers things that precede and forecast
, S<y<nhoanrybminsg >e>r s forerunners, heralds, precursors Antonym >>

Thick fur on a wooly worm is a harbinger of a cold winter.
Derivatives >> harbinger
35. idolatry eye DOLL uh tree worship of idols, excessive devotion
, S<y<nidoonlyamtrsy >ey>e Antonym >> irreverence; indifference

The idolatry of rock stars by some teenagers can be dangerous.
Derivatives >> idolatrous, idolatrize, idolatrously, idolatrousness, idolater
36. imperious im PEER ee us extremely overbearing
, S<y<nimonpyemrsio >u>s i domineering, imperative, masterful, preemptory Antonym >> meek

The imperious behavior of the dictator led to his overthrow.
Derivatives >> imperiously, imperiousness
37. improvidence im PROV eh dunz not providing for the future, not thrifty
, <Sy<nimonpyrmovsi d>e>n Antonym >> foresight

The improvidence of immediately spending one's paycheck could be costly in an emergency.
Derivatives >> improvident, improvidently, improvidentially
38. impudent IM pyuh dunt disrespectful, characterized by improper bold behavior
Synonyms >> Antonym >> respectful

The student's impudent act of using profanity toward Mrs. Dove caused him to be expelled.
Derivatives >> impudence, impudency, impudently, impudentness, impudicity
39. incipient in SIP ee unt beginning to come into being, the early stage of something
Synonyms >> Antonym >> waning

He is not able to recognize his own incipient drug problem.
Derivatives >> incipiative, incipiency, incipience, incipiently

Copyright © 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
40. kindle KIN dul to start a fire, to stir up
, <Sy<nkoinndymleKs >IN> Antonym >> to douse

The boys were taught to kindle a fire.
Derivatives >> kindled, kindling, kindles
41. luxuriant lug ZHOOR ee unt abundant in growth, very fertile
, S<y<nluonxuymrisa n>t>l ug lavish, lush, prodigal, profuse Antonym >> scanty

The luxuriant farmland of Iowa provides an abundant amount of food.
Derivatives >> luxuriance, luxurancy, luxuriantly, luxuriate, luxurious, luxuriously, luxuriousness, luxury
42. malevolence muh LEV uh lens ill will or evil intentions
, S<y<nmoanlyemvos l>en>c e malice, malignity, spite, spleen Antonym >> benevolence

The old man's malevolence was obvious when he removed the girl from his will.
Derivatives >> malevolent, malevolently
43. malicious muh LISH us motivated by hate or deliberate intent to harm
, S<y<nmonaylimciso >u>sm Antonym >> kind

The malicious boy burned down the school.
Derivatives >> maliciousness, malice, maliciously, maliceful
44. mirth MURTH gladness and merriment usually accompanied by laughter
, <S<ynmoinrythmMs U>>R glee, hilarity, jollity Antonym >> sadness

The party was a source of mirth and gaiety.
Derivatives >> mirthful, mirthfully, mirthfulness, mirthless, mirthlessly, mirthlessness
45. ominous OM uh nus threatening
Synonyms >> fateful, portentous Antonym >> harmless; non-threatening

The ominous clouds were harbingers of the tornado.
Derivatives >> ominously, ominousness
46. pacifistic pas uh FIS tik opposed to war or use of force
Synonyms >> appeased, conciliated, mollified, placated, propitiated Antonym >> martial

The man refused to fight because of his pacifistic beliefs.
Derivatives >> pacifist, pacifier, pacifism, pacifistically, pacify
47. perpetuate pur PECH oo ate to prolong the existence of something
, <Sy<npoenrypmetsu a>t>e p Antonym >> to destroy

The Audubon Society works to perpetuate the species of many threatened birds.
Derivatives >> perpetuation, perpetuator, perpetuity, perpetual, perpetually
48. plaintive PLANE tiv mournful and expressing sorrow
, S<y<npolaniynmtisv e>P>L Antonym >> joyful

The dog moaned in a plaintive manner when her puppies were taken.
Derivatives >> plaintively, plaintiveness
49. plumage PLOO mij feathers of a bird
, S<y<npolunymmasg e>P>L Antonym >>

The plumage of the peacock is beautiful.
Derivatives >> plumages, plumaged, plumassier, plumate, plume
50. poignant POIN yunt piercing, incisive, and keen
, <Sy<npoonigynmasn >tP> O piquant, pungent, racy Antonym >> dull

The man's poignant words struck the very heart of the matter.
Derivatives >> poignance, poignancy, poignantly
51. potent POTE unt powerful, having a strong effect
, <Sy<npoonteynmtsP >O>T Antonym >> ineffectual

They gave me a potent pain killer to stop the throbbing sensation in my leg.
Derivatives >> potence, potency
52. profane pruh FANE showing contempt toward sacred things
Synonyms >> Antonym >> holy

Profane language will not be tolerated on the tennis court.
Derivatives >> profanation, profanatory, profanely, profaneness, profaner, profanity
53. refuge REF yooj shelter or place of protection
Synonyms >> Antonym >> dangerous place

Reservations were supposed to be places of refuge for Indians.
Derivatives >> refuges

Copyright © 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
54. rend REND to tear violently, to split
, <Sy<nreonndyRmEs N>>D r cleave, rive Antonym >> to unify

He tried to rend the flag as a protest against the war.
Derivatives >> rent, rended, rending, rends
55. resilient reh ZIL yunt ability to return to a former state
, S<y<nroensyilmiesn >tr>e h supple Antonym >> static

There is a need for more resilient bumpers on cars that can withstand minor accidents.
Derivatives >> resiliency, resiliently
56. resolute REZ uh loot characterized by a decided purpose
, S<y<nroensoylmuste >R>E staunch, steadfast, determined, resolved, faithful, firm Antonym >>

The business was run by a resolute man who set his mind on a goal and followed through with it.
Derivatives >> resoluter, resolutest, resolutely, resoluteness, resolution, resolutionary, resolutioner, resolutive
57. revere reh VERE to honor, to regard with respect
, S<y<nroenvyemresr e>h> adore, venerate, worship Antonym >> to despise

Nearly all Catholics revere the Pope.
Derivatives >> reverence, reverent, reverentness, reverential, reverentiality, reverentially
58. sonorous suh NOR us, SAN uh resonant, producing a full and rich sound
, S<y<nsoonnyomrosu >s>s uh r us Antonym >>

Orson Wells was known for his sonorous voice.
Derivatives >> sonorant, sonoriferous, sonoriferously, sonority, sonorization, sonorously, sonorousness
59. succulent SUK yuh lunt very juicy
Synonyms >> Antonym >> dry

An orange is an example of a succulent fruit.
Derivatives >> succulency, succulence
60. superfluous soo PUR floo us beyond what is needed or required, an overflow
Synonyms >> Antonym >> necessary

The meeting lasted so long because of many superfluous comments by some of the speakers.
Derivatives >> superfluously, superfluousness, superfluent, superfluity
61. t entative TEN tuh tiv not fully worked out, provisional, uncertain
, <Sy<nteonntyamtisv e>T>E Antonym >> permanent

We have a tentative arms-control agreement, but we hope to have a signed agreement by the end of the year.
Derivatives >> tentatively, tentativeness
62. vibrant VIE brunt full of life
, <S<ynvoibnryamntsV >I>E Antonym >> lifeless

She was a vibrant young woman before she went into a coma.
Derivatives >> vibrance, vibrancy, vibrantly
63. v ivid VIV id bright, distinct, and clear
, <S<ynviovnidyVmIsV > > graphic Antonym >> lackluster

I have vivid memories of my trip to Europe.
Derivatives >> vividly, vividness, vividity, vivific, vivificate, vivification, vivifier, vivify
64. voluble VOL yuh bul ability to use words easily, fluent and glib
, <S<ynvoolnuybmlesV >O> L garrulous, loquacious Antonym >> taciturn

A disc jockey needs to be a voluble speaker.
Derivatives >> volubility, volubleness, volubly
65. wily WILE ee cunning, crafty
, <Sy<nwoinlyyWmIsL >E> Antonym >>

"Wily as a fox" is an expression that means a person is very crafty at some activity.
Derivatives >> wile, wiled, wiling, wilier, wiliest
66. woe WOE great sorrow, grief, or misfortune
Synonyms >> Antonym >> happiness

The woe she suffered at his death continued through months of depression.
Derivatives >> woes, woebegone, woeful, woebegoneness, woefully, woefulness
67. zeal ZEEL enthusiasm, fervor
Synonyms >> Antonym >> lack of enthusiasm

To the delight of his students, he brought great zeal to the teaching profession.
Derivatives >> zeals, zealless, zealot, zealotic, zealotism, zealotry

Copyright © 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
68. zealot ZEL ot one who embraces a cause and supports it with vigor
, <Sy<nzoeanlyomtZsE >L> enthusiast Antonym >> one without enthusiasm or passion

The man was known as a religious zealot, as he never stopped trying to convert others to his beliefs.
Derivatives >> zealotic, zealotism, zealotry, zealous, zealously

Copyright © 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
120
Things Fall Apart
by Chinua Achebe
Copyright © 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
Things Fall Apart
by Chinua Achebe

These words which appear in Things Fall Apart have been identified as words or derivatives of words that
have appeared on past SAT tests. They are listed here in alphabetical order.
1. adherents 18. desecrated 35. idolatrous 52. profane
2. appease 19. desolate 36. imperious 53. refuge
3. approbation 20. despair 37. improvident 54. rent
4. arduous 21. discern 38. impudent 55. resilient
5. atonement 22. discordant 39. incipient 56. resolute
6. audacity 23. dispatched 40. kindle 57. revered
7. benevolent 24. enthralled 41. luxuriant 58. sonorous
8. blaspheme 25. esoteric 42. malevolence 59. succulent
9. calamity 26. exacting 43. malicious 60. superfluous
10. callow 27. expedient 44. mirth 61. tentative
11. capricious 28. feign 45. ominous 62. vibrant
12. communal 29. fermenting 46. pacified 63. vividly
13. contemptible 30. ferociously 47. perpetual 64. voluble
14. copiously 31. flourish 48. plaintive 65. wily
15. deft 32. fugitives 49. plumage 66. woeful
16. degenerate 33. grievously 50. poignant 67. zeal
17. derisive 34. harbingers 51. potent 68. zealots
These words which appear in Things Fall Apart have been identified as words or derivatives of words that
have appeared on past SAT tests. They are listed here in the order in which they appear in the novel.
18. kindle 35. potent 52. fermenting
1. wily 19. benevolent 36. rent 53. flourish
2. improvident 20. communal 37. calamity 54. resilient
3. plaintive 21. exacting 38. refuge 55. idolatrous
4. mirth 22. arduous 39. grievously 56. expedient
5. discern 23. poignant 40. fugitives 57. zealots
6. vibrant 24. vividly 41. woeful 58. desecrated
7. dispatched 25. deft 42. ominous 59. profane
8. imperious 26. feign 43. derisive 60. desolate
9. perpetual 27. harbingers 44. callow 61. discordant
10. capricious 28. copiously 45. impudent 62. pacified
11. malevolence 29. succulent 46. degenerate 63. sonorous
12. incipient 30. audacity 47. adherents 64. superfluous
13. contemptible 31. esoteric 48. atonement 65. appease
14. tentative 32. approbation 49. revered 66. resolute
15. malicious 33. voluble 50. zeal 67. ferociously
16. luxuriant 34. plumage 51. blaspheme 68. enthralled
17. despair
Copyright © 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org
Things Fall Apart
by Chinua Achebe

Vocabulary Test 1
Directions: Match the word in the left column with the correct definition in the right column.
Exercise A
________ 1. adherent a. immature; inexperienced
________ 2. appease b. very difficult to accomplish; demanding
________ 3. approbation c. a serious event causing distress or misfortune
________ 4. arduous d. to pacify; to be conciliatory and sacrifice principles
________ 5. atone e. irreverent; profane
________ 6. audacity f. official approval; praise; commendation
________ 7. benevolence g. kindness; generosity; charity
________ 8. blasphemous h. a follower of something such as a philosophy
________ 9. calamity i. excessive boldness; rashness; daring
________ 10. callow j. to make amends
Exercise B
________ 11. capricious a. scoffing at; mockery; ridicule
________ 12. communal b. to violate the sanctity of something; to profane
________ 13. contempt c. changing suddenly; fickle
________ 14. copious d. a state of decline
________ 15. deft e. pertaining to a group or community
________ 16. degeneration f. skillful; adroit
________ 17. derision g. deserted; without inhabitants
________ 18. desecrate h. scorn; extreme dislike or disdain
________ 19. desolate i. abundant
________ 20. despairing j. hopeless; feeling futility
Exercise C
________ 21. discern a. demanding; requiring great care
________ 22. discord b. appropriate for a purpose but not necessarily right
________ 23. dispatch c. a false appearance
________ 24. enthralling d. lack of agreement; tension; strife
________ 25. esoteric e. state of agitation; commotion
________ 26. exacting f. savagery
________ 27. expedient g. to differentiate between two or more things
________ 28. feint h. to send away with promptness or speed
________ 29. ferment i. understood only by a small group or a select few
________ 30. ferocity j. captivating; spellbinding
Copyright © 2002 by Advanced Placement Strategies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Used under license by Laying the Foundation, Inc. www.layingthefoundation.org