Wordly Wise · Topic Cheatsheet
Book 6 · Middle school
300 key results accumulated across 20 chapters.
affection (n)
Ch 1
A fond or tender feeling.
conspicuous (adj)
Ch 1
Easy to see; standing out.
contribute (v)
Ch 1
To give to a common cause.
declare (v)
Ch 1
To announce officially; to state firmly.
eloquent (adj)
Ch 1
Speaking with grace and power.
exhibit (v / n)
Ch 1
To show in public; a public display.
immigrant (n)
Ch 1
A person who moves to a new country to settle.
patriot (n)
Ch 1
One who loves and supports their country.
pedestal (n)
Ch 1
A base supporting a statue or column.
popularity (n)
Ch 1
The quality of being liked by many.
sentinel (n)
Ch 1
A guard or watch.
symbolize (v)
Ch 1
To stand for something else.
tablet (n)
Ch 1
A flat slab with words; a small flat pad.
torch (n)
Ch 1
A flaming light carried in the hand.
welcome (v / n / adj)
Ch 1
To greet with pleasure; a greeting; gladly received.
arrogant (adj)
Ch 2
Proud in a haughty way.
boycott (v / n)
Ch 2
To refuse to deal with as a protest.
campaign (n)
Ch 2
A planned series of actions for a purpose.
ceremony (n)
Ch 2
A formal act done on a special occasion.
degrade (v)
Ch 2
To lower in dignity or value.
detain (v)
Ch 2
To hold back; to keep in custody.
extend (v)
Ch 2
To stretch out; to make longer.
injustice (n)
Ch 2
An unfair act.
integrate (v)
Ch 2
To bring together; to remove segregation.
minority (n)
Ch 2
A small group; less than half.
segregate (v)
Ch 2
To set apart from others.
supreme (adj)
Ch 2
Highest in rank or power.
triumph (n / v)
Ch 2
A great victory; to succeed greatly.
vacate (v)
Ch 2
To leave empty.
verdict (n)
Ch 2
The decision of a jury.
abundant (adj)
Ch 3
Existing in large amounts.
arid (adj)
Ch 3
Very dry.
distinct (adj)
Ch 3
Clearly different; easy to see.
hectic (adj)
Ch 3
Filled with rushing activity.
humid (adj)
Ch 3
Damp; moist with much water in the air.
incredible (adj)
Ch 3
Hard to believe.
inhabit (v)
Ch 3
To live in.
peninsula (n)
Ch 3
A piece of land mostly surrounded by water.
rural (adj)
Ch 3
Of the countryside.
sanctuary (n)
Ch 3
A safe place.
splendor (n)
Ch 3
Great beauty or magnificence.
squalor (n)
Ch 3
Dirty, miserable living conditions.
terrain (n)
Ch 3
An area of land considered for its physical features.
urban (adj)
Ch 3
Of the city.
vista (n)
Ch 3
A view, especially a long sweeping one.
aloft (adv)
Ch 4
High up in the air.
attain (v)
Ch 4
To reach by effort.
buffet (v / n)
Ch 4
To strike repeatedly; a meal served buffet-style.
current (n / adj)
Ch 4
A flow of water or air; happening now.
elude (v)
Ch 4
To escape from by cleverness.
flammable (adj)
Ch 4
Easily set on fire.
hover (v)
Ch 4
To stay in one place in the air.
inflate (v)
Ch 4
To fill with air or gas.
jeopardy (n)
Ch 4
Danger; risk.
moor (v / n)
Ch 4
To tie a boat; an area of open land.
plummet (v)
Ch 4
To fall straight down.
pollute (v)
Ch 4
To make dirty or impure.
propel (v)
Ch 4
To drive forward.
stationary (adj)
Ch 4
Not moving.
superb (adj)
Ch 4
Excellent; of the highest quality.
canvas (n)
Ch 5
A heavy cloth used for sails or painting.
captivate (v)
Ch 5
To capture the attention of.
deft (adj)
Ch 5
Skilful; quick and clever.
diligent (adj)
Ch 5
Hardworking and steady.
eclipse (n / v)
Ch 5
Hiding of one body by another; to outshine.
evolution (n)
Ch 5
Gradual development.
inscribe (v)
Ch 5
To write or carve on a surface.
innovate (v)
Ch 5
To bring in something new.
posture (n)
Ch 5
The way a person holds the body.
shroud (n / v)
Ch 5
A cloth wrapped around the dead; to cover.
stifle (v)
Ch 5
To hold back; to smother.
tentative (adj)
Ch 5
Not definite; hesitant.
tranquil (adj)
Ch 5
Free from disturbance; peaceful.
versatile (adj)
Ch 5
Able to do many things well.
vivid (adj)
Ch 5
Bright and clear.
cocoon (n)
Ch 6
A silk case spun by a caterpillar.
fiber (n)
Ch 6
A thin thread of natural or man-made material.
function (n / v)
Ch 6
The purpose of something; to work.
inhibit (v)
Ch 6
To hold back; to restrain.
loom (n / v)
Ch 6
A frame for weaving; to appear large and threatening.
moth (n)
Ch 6
An insect like a butterfly that flies at night.
motionless (adj)
Ch 6
Not moving.
mulberry (n)
Ch 6
A tree whose leaves silkworms eat.
produce (v / n)
Ch 6
To make; fresh fruits and vegetables.
secrete (v)
Ch 6
To produce a fluid in the body.
shimmer (v)
Ch 6
To shine with a soft trembling light.
spin (v)
Ch 6
To make thread by twisting fibers.
textile (n)
Ch 6
Woven cloth.
thrive (v)
Ch 6
To grow strong and healthy.
weave (v)
Ch 6
To interlace threads to make cloth.
brand (n / v)
Ch 7
A mark identifying ownership; to mark with a brand.
hardy (adj)
Ch 7
Tough; able to bear hardship.
lariat (n)
Ch 7
A long rope with a loop for catching cattle.
mediocre (adj)
Ch 7
Of only average quality.
monotonous (adj)
Ch 7
Lacking variety; boring.
originate (v)
Ch 7
To begin; to start.
prairie (n)
Ch 7
A wide, mostly treeless grassland.
ranch (n)
Ch 7
A large farm for grazing animals.
ravenous (adj)
Ch 7
Very hungry.
realistic (adj)
Ch 7
Seeing things as they are.
rustle (v)
Ch 7
To make a soft fluttering sound; to steal cattle.
sphere (n)
Ch 7
A ball-shaped object.
stampede (n / v)
Ch 7
A sudden rush of frightened animals; to flee in a rush.
thicket (n)
Ch 7
A dense growth of bushes.
trample (v)
Ch 7
To step on heavily.
advance (v / n)
Ch 8
To move forward; forward movement.
buckskin (n)
Ch 8
Strong soft leather from deer skin.
expedition (n)
Ch 8
A long trip for a purpose.
guide (v / n)
Ch 8
To lead; one who leads.
interpret (v)
Ch 8
To explain the meaning of.
invaluable (adj)
Ch 8
Of great value; priceless.
memoir (n)
Ch 8
A written account of one's experiences.
negotiate (v)
Ch 8
To talk over and settle.
rugged (adj)
Ch 8
Rough; tough and strong.
scout (n / v)
Ch 8
One sent ahead to gather information; to search out.
skirmish (n)
Ch 8
A brief minor fight.
supplement (v / n)
Ch 8
To add to; an addition.
tact (n)
Ch 8
Skill in dealing with others.
territory (n)
Ch 8
An area of land.
trek (n / v)
Ch 8
A long difficult journey; to make such a journey.
accumulate (v)
Ch 9
To pile up; to gather.
aggravate (v)
Ch 9
To make worse; to annoy.
conserve (v)
Ch 9
To use carefully so as to keep.
contaminate (v)
Ch 9
To make impure.
diminish (v)
Ch 9
To make smaller; to lessen.
drastic (adj)
Ch 9
Severe; extreme.
extravagant (adj)
Ch 9
Spending too freely; very showy.
frugal (adj)
Ch 9
Careful with money; thrifty.
impurity (n)
Ch 9
Something that makes a substance not pure.
imperil (v)
Ch 9
To put in danger.
perpetual (adj)
Ch 9
Lasting forever; constant.
reservoir (n)
Ch 9
A place where water is stored.
resource (n)
Ch 9
A useful supply; means of help.
supply (n / v)
Ch 9
An amount available; to provide.
vital (adj)
Ch 9
Necessary for life; very important.
compete (v)
Ch 10
To strive against others for a prize or goal.
complicate (v)
Ch 10
To make difficult or complex.
diversion (n)
Ch 10
Something that turns attention; amusement.
effective (adj)
Ch 10
Producing the desired result.
error (n)
Ch 10
A mistake.
factor (n)
Ch 10
One of the things that bring about a result.
fad (n)
Ch 10
A short-lived fashion.
gripe (v / n)
Ch 10
To complain; a complaint.
hobby (n)
Ch 10
A favourite pastime.
leisure (n)
Ch 10
Free time; rest from work.
marathon (n)
Ch 10
A long-distance race; any long contest.
obstacle (n)
Ch 10
Something that stands in the way.
pastime (n)
Ch 10
Something done for fun.
predominant (adj)
Ch 10
Greater in number, force, or importance.
unique (adj)
Ch 10
One of a kind.
barrier (n)
Ch 11
Something that blocks the way.
diploma (n)
Ch 11
A certificate showing a course was completed.
fee (n)
Ch 11
Money paid for a service.
inspire (v)
Ch 11
To stir to action; to give creative ideas.
intern (n / v)
Ch 11
A trainee in a profession; to confine.
majority (n)
Ch 11
The greater part; more than half.
obstetrics (n)
Ch 11
The medical care of pregnant women.
perseverance (n)
Ch 11
Continued effort despite difficulty.
physician (n)
Ch 11
A medical doctor.
possession (n)
Ch 11
Something owned.
practitioner (n)
Ch 11
A person who practises a profession.
prejudice (n)
Ch 11
An opinion formed without good reason.
qualify (v)
Ch 11
To be or make fit for a role.
rivalry (n)
Ch 11
Competition.
treatise (n)
Ch 11
A long serious written work on a subject.
abandon (v)
Ch 12
To leave behind; to give up.
besiege (v)
Ch 12
To surround with armed forces.
decoy (n)
Ch 12
A bird or model used to lure others.
infuriate (v)
Ch 12
To make very angry.
myth (n)
Ch 12
A traditional story explaining something.
overpower (v)
Ch 12
To overcome by greater force.
rejoice (v)
Ch 12
To feel and show great joy.
sentinel (n)
Ch 12
A guard; one who keeps watch.
siege (n)
Ch 12
A surrounding of a place by an army.
sinister (adj)
Ch 12
Threatening evil.
treaty (n)
Ch 12
A formal agreement between nations.
trickery (n)
Ch 12
Deception.
victor (n)
Ch 12
The winner.
warrior (n)
Ch 12
A person who fights in battles.
woe (n)
Ch 12
Great sorrow.
adapt (v)
Ch 13
To change to suit different conditions.
caravan (n)
Ch 13
A group of travellers crossing a difficult area together.
deplete (v)
Ch 13
To greatly reduce or use up.
efficient (adj)
Ch 13
Working without waste.
fatigue (n)
Ch 13
Great tiredness.
gait (n)
Ch 13
A manner of walking or running.
lurch (v)
Ch 13
To move with sudden uneven motion.
nostril (n)
Ch 13
An opening of the nose.
nourishment (n)
Ch 13
Food; what helps growth.
parch (v)
Ch 13
To make dry by heat.
plod (v)
Ch 13
To walk heavily and slowly.
remedy (n / v)
Ch 13
A cure; to put right.
rigorous (adj)
Ch 13
Very strict; harsh.
tame (adj / v)
Ch 13
Not wild; to train an animal.
undulate (v)
Ch 13
To move in a wavy motion.
benevolent (adj)
Ch 14
Kindly; charitable.
consent (v / n)
Ch 14
To agree; agreement.
discretion (n)
Ch 14
Good judgement; freedom to decide.
engross (v)
Ch 14
To occupy the whole attention.
esteemed (adj)
Ch 14
Highly respected.
exaggerate (v)
Ch 14
To make seem greater than it is.
extensive (adj)
Ch 14
Wide-reaching; great in amount.
fantastic (adj)
Ch 14
Imaginary; remarkable.
intrigue (v / n)
Ch 14
To arouse interest; secret plotting.
marvelous (adj)
Ch 14
Wonderful; remarkable.
mission (n)
Ch 14
A special task.
opportunity (n)
Ch 14
A good chance.
relinquish (v)
Ch 14
To give up; to let go.
tyrant (n)
Ch 14
A cruel ruler.
vanquish (v)
Ch 14
To defeat completely.
analyze (v)
Ch 15
To examine carefully part by part.
apprehensive (adj)
Ch 15
Worried about what may happen.
coincide (v)
Ch 15
To happen at the same time.
compose (v)
Ch 15
To make up; to create music or writing.
diameter (n)
Ch 15
A line through the centre of a circle.
extraordinary (adj)
Ch 15
Very unusual.
fusion (n)
Ch 15
Joining together by melting.
gravity (n)
Ch 15
The force that pulls toward Earth.
heritage (n)
Ch 15
Something handed down from the past.
luminous (adj)
Ch 15
Giving off light.
particle (n)
Ch 15
A very small bit of matter.
radiate (v)
Ch 15
To give out rays of light or heat.
solar (adj)
Ch 15
Of or from the sun.
telescope (n)
Ch 15
A tube with lenses for viewing distant things.
velocity (n)
Ch 15
Speed in a given direction.
awesome (adj)
Ch 16
Causing wonder; impressive.
catastrophe (n)
Ch 16
A terrible disaster.
collide (v)
Ch 16
To crash into.
consequence (n)
Ch 16
A result.
deceptive (adj)
Ch 16
Misleading.
fatality (n)
Ch 16
A death caused by an accident.
improvise (v)
Ch 16
To make from whatever is at hand.
luxurious (adj)
Ch 16
Very rich and comfortable.
maiden (adj / n)
Ch 16
First; a young unmarried woman.
predicament (n)
Ch 16
A difficult or unpleasant situation.
priority (n)
Ch 16
Something taking importance over others.
reinforcements (n pl)
Ch 16
Extra soldiers or help.
stern (adj / n)
Ch 16
Strict; the back of a ship.
tragedy (n)
Ch 16
A very sad event.
treacherous (adj)
Ch 16
Dangerous; not loyal.
buoy (n)
Ch 17
A floating marker.
corrode (v)
Ch 17
To eat away by chemical action.
depict (v)
Ch 17
To show in a picture or words.
elated (adj)
Ch 17
Joyfully proud.
exploit (v / n)
Ch 17
To use; a daring deed.
fragment (n)
Ch 17
A part broken off.
miniature (adj)
Ch 17
Very small.
muffle (v)
Ch 17
To wrap up to keep warm or to deaden sound.
pathetic (adj)
Ch 17
Arousing pity.
preliminary (adj)
Ch 17
Coming first as introduction.
salvage (v / n)
Ch 17
To save from destruction; goods saved.
sonar (n)
Ch 17
A device for detecting underwater objects by sound.
submerge (v)
Ch 17
To go under water.
vessel (n)
Ch 17
A ship; a container.
wreck (n / v)
Ch 17
Something destroyed; to destroy.
consume (v)
Ch 18
To eat or use up.
credible (adj)
Ch 18
Believable.
earnest (adj)
Ch 18
Serious in purpose.
exhilaration (n)
Ch 18
A feeling of lively excitement.
genuine (adj)
Ch 18
Real; sincere.
indispensable (adj)
Ch 18
Absolutely necessary.
instill (v)
Ch 18
To put in gradually.
manipulate (v)
Ch 18
To handle skilfully; to influence cleverly.
monument (n)
Ch 18
A structure built to remember a person or event.
obvious (adj)
Ch 18
Easy to see or understand.
regime (n)
Ch 18
A system of government.
relentless (adj)
Ch 18
Without letup.
ritual (n)
Ch 18
A set of actions done as a ceremony.
soviet (n / adj)
Ch 18
Of the former USSR.
valid (adj)
Ch 18
Well-grounded; legally acceptable.
ascend (v)
Ch 19
To climb up.
construct (v)
Ch 19
To build.
drawbridge (n)
Ch 19
A bridge that can be raised.
elaborate (adj / v)
Ch 19
Worked out in detail; to add detail.
fragrant (adj)
Ch 19
Sweet-smelling.
moat (n)
Ch 19
A water-filled ditch around a castle.
parapet (n)
Ch 19
A low wall along the edge of a roof or bridge.
restore (v)
Ch 19
To bring back to original condition.
retaliate (v)
Ch 19
To strike back in return.
siege (n)
Ch 19
Surrounding of a fort by an army.
stench (n)
Ch 19
A strong, bad smell.
strew (v)
Ch 19
To scatter; to spread.
tapestry (n)
Ch 19
A heavy cloth with woven pictures.
turret (n)
Ch 19
A small tower on a building.
vassal (n)
Ch 19
A person under the protection of a lord.
afflict (v)
Ch 20
To distress with mental or physical pain.
bluster (v / n)
Ch 20
To blow noisily; loud empty threats.
council (n)
Ch 20
A group called together for advice or discussion.
dwell (v)
Ch 20
To live in; to stay on.
exterminate (v)
Ch 20
To destroy completely.
fee (n)
Ch 20
Money paid for a service.
garment (n)
Ch 20
An article of clothing.
haggle (v)
Ch 20
To argue over price.
indignant (adj)
Ch 20
Angry over something unjust.
infestation (n)
Ch 20
An invasion by pests.
peculiar (adj)
Ch 20
Strange; particular to one.
promptly (adv)
Ch 20
Quickly; without delay.
revenge (n / v)
Ch 20
Harm in return for harm.
rodent (n)
Ch 20
A gnawing mammal.
vermin (n pl)
Ch 20
Pests such as rats or insects.