L. Axelson Eng. Rm 28

VIVID VOCABULARY #4 ELLEN FOSTER #2

1. pseudonym (noun) fake name

Mark Twain is just a pseudonym, his real name is Samuel Clemons.

2. ostracize (verb) exclude, reject, shut out, refuse to associate with

After the scandal, her old friends ostracized her.

3. neophyte (noun) a beginner

The neophyte learned surprisingly fast.

4. immense (adjective) very large

The immense building had 800 rooms.

5. quagmire (noun) a difficult situation

You’re in a quagmire if you forget to study for a test.

6. hyperbole (noun) an exaggerated statement

I’m so hungry I could eat a horse is an example of hyperbole.

7. resolution (noun) the solution to the central problem

Ellen’s resolution was to find her own new mama. She didn’t wait for anyone to solve her

problems. She solved them all herself.

8. heinous (adjective) atrocious, horrible

Ellen’s heinous father was not the warm and loving kind.

9. demeanor (noun) the way a person behaves

It’s hard not to respect Ellen’s strong and solid demeanor.

10.obtuse (adjective) not smart, slow at understanding

Although Ellen would never be described as obtuse, her dad might be.

11. flummox (verb) confuse

She was flummoxed by the difficult assignment.

12. cantankerous (adjective) cranky

The cantankerous old woman yelled at all of the children.

Business Letter Sample

5041 Sunnyslope Ave

Sherman Oaks, Ca. 91423

Oct. 16, 2017

President Trump

1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Trump:

We are writing to you to complain about an immense problem. There is a heinous situation that needs a resolution. We are asking for your help Mr. President.

Teachers at Millikan are giving too much homework. We have over a million assignments every night. That is not a hyperbole, but the honest truth. Too much homework has affected our demeanor. We are becoming obtuse due to the brain overload. We’ve been ostracized from our friends because we no longer have time for them.

This has got to stop Mr. President. We know that you are still a neophyte, but you need experience in these matters. Please come talk to our cantankerous teachers and save the youth of America. Thanks so much for reading our letter.

Sincerely,

Students in need of a change