Common Lit Unit 1 Vocabulary

John spoke rudely to his teacher, but later he felt ___ and wrote her an apology note.

Contrite

Last year, I didn't go home for Thanksgiving; instead, I went on a trip with my friends. When my grandparents told me how much they missed me, I felt terrible and made plans to visit them on New Year's Day.

Contrite

Jeffrey's uncle told him he couldn't go to the park after dark, but Jeffrey responded, "Forget it! It's summer. I'm going to do what I want!"

Defiance

Because Gina is often ___ in school, she is frequently called to the principal's office.

Defiant

Markel was required to read the newspaper each day as homework for his Honors Government class. At the end of the semester, he realized he was much more aware of politics and social issues.

Conscious

As brother and sister, Bart and Lisa are always getting into arguments, but their mother Marge insists that they speak politely to each other at home.

Civil

The owner of the barber shop on 11th Street is known for being ___ and professional to all of his customers. He welcomes everyone to the neighborhood.

Civil

After spending his summer as an intern at the United Nations, Delonte was much more ___ of world affairs.

Conscious

At this point, it is ___ to try to train my dog to fetch. She is 10 years old and has resisted all of my attempts to teach her!

Futile

Romeo and Juliet's families had been battling for years, so Romeo felt it was pointless to try to win Juliet's affection.

Futile

In ancient Egypt, the pharaoh — or king — ruled over everyone. The high priests and noblemen were below him, and the workers and peasants supported everyone else in society.

Hierarchy

Oliver wants to get rid of the ___ at the restaurant he manages. He wants every employee to vote on important decisions and plans to pay everyone equally.

Hierarchy

Ayana thinks everyone is nice and kind. She trusts everyone because she believes that people will not do her wrong or wish her harm. She believes that if you treat everyone with kindness, then everyone will be kind in return.

Idealistic

Jonathan was so ___ that he believed every promise the presidential candidate made. No one could convince him that politicians don't always fulfill their promises.

Idealistic

Armando has lived in a small town in Illinois all his life, and even went to college just a few miles from his childhood home. He is excited about moving to New York City for his first job, but often wonders if he can make it in the big city!

Innocence

Janelle's ___ sometimes leads other people to take advantage of her. She doesn't understand that not everyone is as kind as she is.

Innocence

Angel and his cousin grew up next door to each other, but since they are five years apart in age and have few common interests, they don't have much of a connection.

Tenuous

My next door neighbor and I used to do everything together, but since he moved away several years ago we have a ___ relationship.

Tenuous

hierarchy

a system of ranking groups of people one above the other

conscious

aware of something or of one's surroundings

defiance

disobedience or resistance to someone else's wishes

Idealism

extreme hopefulness or belief in something, especially when it's unrealistic

contrite

feeling or expressing guilt, regret, or remorse

innocence

lack of worldly experience; lack of guilt or evil intention

futile

pointless; unable to produce any useful result

Civil

polite and respectful

tenuous

very weak; not substantial