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

Lesson 4: Mixed Contexts

Grade 8 students build vocabulary in Lesson 4 of Chapter 2 from Vocabulary for the College Bound Student by practicing all three context clue types — contrasting words, similar words, and commonsense clues — in mixed passages. Using a pretest drawn from literary sources, students deduce the meanings of words such as scrutinized, effrontery, forbearance, excruciating, and nettlesome, then study their precise definitions, pronunciations, and antonyms. The lesson reinforces students' ability to independently infer unfamiliar word meanings from a variety of real-world and literary contexts.

Section 1

Judgments, Complexity, and Boldness

Key Words

Let's start with words about legal decisions, complexity, and bold behavior.

acquit (v.)acquittal (n.)
complex (adj.)complexity (n.)
consign (v.)consignee (n.)
effrontery (n.)

Explanation

This group covers a range of actions and concepts, from being found innocent in court to dealing with intricate problems. It also includes the act of formally handing something over and the nerve required to do something shockingly bold. These words often relate to formal procedures, difficult situations, and social boundaries.

Section 2

Pain, Patience, and Problems

Key Words

Next, let's look at some words that describe difficult feelings and frustrating situations.

excruciating (adj.)forbearance (n.)
hamper (v.)nettlesome (adj.)

Explanation

These words describe tough spots we all find ourselves in. From an agonizing pain that is excruciating to a nettlesome problem that is just plain annoying, this group covers it. It also includes hamper, meaning to get in the way, and forbearance, the patience you show when you feel like losing your cool.

Section 3

Awareness, Scale, and Renewal

Key Words

This set of words deals with awareness, size, and the process of renewal.

oblivious (adj.)oblivion (n.)
prodigious (adj.)prodigy (n.)
rejuvenate (v.)residue (n.)
residual (adj.)

Explanation

Here we have words about states of being and what's left over. You can be oblivious (unaware) of your surroundings, or witness something of prodigious (enormous) size. These words also cover feeling rejuvenated (refreshed) and the residue (remainder) that gets left behind. It’s all about awareness, scale, and transformation.

Section 4

Health, Inspection, and Environment

Key Words

Now for a group of words about health, close inspection, and making changes.

salutary (adj.)scrutinize (v.)
scrutiny (n.)supersede (v.)
sweltering (adj.)swelter (v.)

Explanation

This group connects ideas of well-being, careful analysis, and replacement. An action can have a salutary, or healthful, effect. You might scrutinize something to examine it closely. A new rule can supersede an old one, while a sweltering day describes oppressively hot weather. These words involve evaluation, change, and physical conditions.

Section 5

Demeanor, Actions, and Manageability

Key Words

Our final group describes different kinds of behaviors, from calm and collected to clumsy and comical.

unruffled (adj.)unwieldy (adj.)
unwieldiness (n.)withdraw (v.)
withdrawal (n.)zany (adj.)
zany (n.)

Explanation

These words capture different ways people and things can be. A person can remain unruffled (calm) during a crisis, while a large box might be unwieldy (hard to handle). This group also includes the action to withdraw (or leave) and the zany (clownish) behavior of a class clown. It's all about demeanor and manageability.

Book overview

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Chapter 2: Learning New Words From the Context

  1. Lesson 1

    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 4Current

    Lesson 4: Mixed Contexts

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Lesson overview

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Section 1

Judgments, Complexity, and Boldness

Key Words

Let's start with words about legal decisions, complexity, and bold behavior.

acquit (v.)acquittal (n.)
complex (adj.)complexity (n.)
consign (v.)consignee (n.)
effrontery (n.)

Explanation

This group covers a range of actions and concepts, from being found innocent in court to dealing with intricate problems. It also includes the act of formally handing something over and the nerve required to do something shockingly bold. These words often relate to formal procedures, difficult situations, and social boundaries.

Section 2

Pain, Patience, and Problems

Key Words

Next, let's look at some words that describe difficult feelings and frustrating situations.

excruciating (adj.)forbearance (n.)
hamper (v.)nettlesome (adj.)

Explanation

These words describe tough spots we all find ourselves in. From an agonizing pain that is excruciating to a nettlesome problem that is just plain annoying, this group covers it. It also includes hamper, meaning to get in the way, and forbearance, the patience you show when you feel like losing your cool.

Section 3

Awareness, Scale, and Renewal

Key Words

This set of words deals with awareness, size, and the process of renewal.

oblivious (adj.)oblivion (n.)
prodigious (adj.)prodigy (n.)
rejuvenate (v.)residue (n.)
residual (adj.)

Explanation

Here we have words about states of being and what's left over. You can be oblivious (unaware) of your surroundings, or witness something of prodigious (enormous) size. These words also cover feeling rejuvenated (refreshed) and the residue (remainder) that gets left behind. It’s all about awareness, scale, and transformation.

Section 4

Health, Inspection, and Environment

Key Words

Now for a group of words about health, close inspection, and making changes.

salutary (adj.)scrutinize (v.)
scrutiny (n.)supersede (v.)
sweltering (adj.)swelter (v.)

Explanation

This group connects ideas of well-being, careful analysis, and replacement. An action can have a salutary, or healthful, effect. You might scrutinize something to examine it closely. A new rule can supersede an old one, while a sweltering day describes oppressively hot weather. These words involve evaluation, change, and physical conditions.

Section 5

Demeanor, Actions, and Manageability

Key Words

Our final group describes different kinds of behaviors, from calm and collected to clumsy and comical.

unruffled (adj.)unwieldy (adj.)
unwieldiness (n.)withdraw (v.)
withdrawal (n.)zany (adj.)
zany (n.)

Explanation

These words capture different ways people and things can be. A person can remain unruffled (calm) during a crisis, while a large box might be unwieldy (hard to handle). This group also includes the action to withdraw (or leave) and the zany (clownish) behavior of a class clown. It's all about demeanor and manageability.

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 1

    Lesson 1: Contexts With Contrasting Words

    LearnPractice
  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 4Current

    Lesson 4: Mixed Contexts

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