Mr. Gagnon's Homework Assignments

JUNE 2005

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Last updated on JUNE 23, 2005 at 1pm.

YES, IT IS OFFICIAL. I AM RETIRING, EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2005. MY FINAL WORK DAY IS FRIDAY, JUNE 24. AFTER 35 YEARS OF ENJOYING THIS JOB, IT IS TIME TO MAKE ROOM FOR SOMEONE ELSE, WITH NEW IDEAS, NEW VOCABULARY WORDS AND NEW STORIES! MORE THAN 3500 STUDENTS HAVE SAT IN MY CLASSES, AND, OF COURSE, I HAVE GREAT MEMORIES OF THEM. MAYBE SOMEDAY I WILL WRITE A BOOK!

FINAL EXAM = OVER!!!

GOOD LUCK IN 9TH GRADE

2004-2005 VOCABULARY LIST

1. intermittent = once in a while

2. ultimatum = final order

3. affluent = rich

4. pacify = to calm

5. drone = "humming" sound

6. accost = to approach, to greet first

7. boorish = rude, crude behavior

8. remote = far away

9. despise = to hate

10. emancipate = to set free

11. bilingual = can speak two languages

12. famished = extremely hungry

13. claustrophobia = fear of closed places

14. fickle = changing

15. amiable = friendly

16. supersede = to replace because it's better

17. throng = large crowd

18. quest = journey with a goal

19. stamina = endurance

20. verbatim = word-for-word

21. audacity = boldness, "the nerve"

22. recuperate = to get better

23. clamor = loud noise

24. redundant = repeating

25. novice = beginner

26. corpulent = extremely fat

27. feign = to pretend

28. pseudonym = fake name (a pen name)

29. abet = to help

30. tentative = not sure

31. antithesis = the opposite

32. pinnacle = the highest point

33. edifice = building

34. mundane = ordinary

35. incumbent = office-holder

36. diminutive = small

37. impartial = not favoring either side

38. venerable = worthy of respect

39. impulsive = without thinking

40. bestow = to give

41. lurk = to hide

42. cadaver = dead body

43. humane = kind to others

44. mediocre = average

45. optimistic = looking on the "good side"

46. commence = to begin

47. rigorous = harsh, severe

48. prominent = well-known

49. penultimate = the one before the last

50. agony = pain

51. entice = to tempt

52. context = the way a word is used in a sentence

53. inquisitive = curious, asks many questions

54. remnant = the leftovers, remains

55. transgression = crime

56. insubordination = failure to respond to the reasonable request of an authority

57. writhe = to twist

58. hamlet = small town

59. metropolis = large city

60. annihilate = to completely destroy

61. calamity = disaster

62. faction = group

63. vigilant = alert

64. spurn = to reject

65. inkling = small idea

66. admonish = to warn

67. parity = equality

68. remorse = sorrow

69. avarice = greed

70. noxious = harmful

71. cater = to supply

72. sonorous = a rich, full sound

73. unprecedented = never been done before

74. hapless = unlucky

75. charisma = having qualities that attract others

76. consensus = general agreement

77. skirmish = small fight

78. ambiance = feelings created by the surroundings

79. parable = a story which teaches a lesson

80. incognito = in disguise

81. paternal = on the father's side

82. potent = powerful, strong

83. outset = the beginning

84. chronic = lasting a long time

85. rancid = rotten smell or taste

86. reformation = a change

87. bellow = a loud yell

88. boycott = to refuse to use or buy

89. maim = to disfigure or cripple

90. molt = to shed (hair, fur, etc)

91. deluge = flood

92. agile = smooth, quick of movement

93. ample = more than enough

94. devout = sincere

95. garb = clothing

96. ire = anger

97. fracas = a disturbance

98. timid = shy

99. clad = clothed

100. ordinance = law

STUDY EACH NIGHT FOR A SURPRISE QUIZ IN THE WEEKS AHEAD.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT HE HAS "UP HIS SLEEVE."

Do you know the four steps in the development of language?

Do you know the eight organs of speech?

Do you know the four "rules of punctuation"?

Do you know the three "punctuation touch-ups"?

Do you know what time period Damon Runyon was writing?

What actor helped Ernest Lawrence Thayer become famous?

What 3 things do you need for communication to take place?

What is communication breakdown? What causes it?

What writer is known for writing with "a broomstick instead of a pen"?

What is Harry Chapin's connection to Plattsburgh? What poet was called considered a "New England poet"?

What imaginary town was created by Edgar Lee Masters?

What character has spoken these words: "... the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse..." ?

What are the four new terms for "Gagnon's Four Famous Rules of Punctuation"?