Of Mice and Men: Chapter 2 Vocabulary
Part 1: Using Prior Knowledge and Contextual Clues. In the space below each sentence, guess what the word means based on the context in which it is used.
1. “I ain’t so sure,” said George skeptically.
2. He said ominously, “Well he better watch out for Lennie.”
3. He had drawn a derogatory statement from George.
4. His face contorted with thought.
5. She was suddenly apprenhensive.
6. Lennie, who had been following the conversation back and forth with his eyes, smiled complacently at the compliment.
7. He stiffened and went into a slight crouch. His glance was at once calculating and pugnacious.
8. Lennie’s eyes were frightened. “I don’t want no trouble,” he said plaintively.
Part 2: Determining the meaning. Match the vocabulary word to their dictionary definitions. After you have matched the words to their definitions, place a star next to any words that you closely guessed the meaning of the word.
_____ 9. Skeptically a. Expressing sorrow; mournful or melancholy
_____10. Ominously b. twisted or strained out of shape
_____11. Derogatory c. uneasy; anxious
_____ 12. Contorted d. inclined to quarrel or fight
_____ 13. Apprehensive e. showing doubt
_____ 14. Complacently f. foreboding; threatening
_____ 15. Pugnacious g. in a self-satisfied manner
_____ 16. Plaintively h. showing disrespect
Part 3: Creating your own sentences. Create a sentence for each the vocabulary words appropriately demonstrating their meaning. Number each sentence 1-8 and highlight/underline the vocabulary words.