W6
Vocabulary
Let’s go over the new vocabulary for this week.
Ghost Towns of the American West
economic (adj.)
of or about the management of the income, supplies, and expenses of a household, government, etc.
The country faced serious economic problems after the factory closed.
independence (n.)
freedom from the control, influence, support, or help of others
2
The teenager showed independence by managing her own schedule.
overrun (v.)
to spread over
3
The small town was overrun by tourists during the holiday season.
scrawl (v.)
written or drawn poorly or carelessly
4
He began to scrawl notes in his notebook as the teacher spoke quickly.
vacant (adj.)
not occupied
5
The old house had been vacant for many years.
telephone (n.)
any of several devices for transmitting and receiving sounds over long distances by electricity; a phone
6
She picked up the telephone to call her grandparents.
telegraph (n.)
an electric device or system for sending messages by a code over wires
7
In the past, people sent messages using a telegraph.
telecommute (v.)
to work at a location remote from one’s place of employment, making use of a computer
8
My aunt can telecommute, so she works from home most days.
telescope (n.)
a tubular instrument for viewing distant objects (as objects in outer space) by focusing light rays with mirrors or lenses
9
We used a telescope to observe the moon clearly.
television (n.)
electronic device that shows images on a screen
10
The news was reported live on television.
telephoto (n.)
a lens that makes distant objects appear magnified
11
The photographer used a telephoto to capture distant wildlife.
photocopy (n.)
a photographic copy of written or printed work
12
Please make a photocopy of the worksheet for each student.
photographer (n.)
a person who takes pictures, either as a job or hobby
13
The photographer waited patiently to catch the perfect moment.
graphic (adj.)
a picture, design, or visual display
14
The book contained graphic images that explained the science topic clearly.
paragraph (n.)
a short part of a text, consisting of at least one sentence and beginning on a new line. It usually deals with a single event, description, idea, etc.
15
Each paragraph in the essay focused on one main idea.
phonograph (n.)
an instrument that reproduces sound recorded on a grooved disk; record player
16
The museum displayed an old phonograph that played music on records.
autograph (n.)
a person’s own signature
17
The fans asked the athlete for his autograph.
diameter (n.)
a straight line passing through the center of a figure or body, especially a line segment through the center of a circle with its ends on the circle’s circumference
18
The diameter of the circle was measured with a ruler.
millimeter (n.)
one thousandth of a meter
19
The crack in the glass was only one millimeter wide.
kilometer (n.)
one thousand meters
20
We walked nearly one kilometer to reach the park.
centimeter (n.)
one hundredth of a meter
21
The plant grew several centimeters taller in a week.
thermometer (n.)
instrument for measuring temperature
22
The nurse checked his temperature with a thermometer.
barometer (n.)
an instrument that measures the pressure of the atmosphere to determine probable weather changes
23
A barometer can help predict changes in the weather.
speedometer (n.)
an instrument that measure speed and/or records distance traveled
24
The driver checked the speedometer to make sure he was not speeding.
pedometer (n.)
instrument for measuring distance walked
25
She wore a pedometer to count how many steps she walked each day.
furlong (n.)
a unit of distance equal to 220 yards (about 201 meters)
26
The horse raced a furlong on the training track.
overpower (v.)
to defeat someone by having greater strength or power
27
The stronger team was able to overpower their opponents.
experienced (adj.)
having skill or knowledge because you have done something many times
28
experienced vs. inexperienced
The experienced guide knew the mountain paths well.
bargain (n.)
something bought or offered for sale at a desirable price
29
Buying the jacket on sale was a great bargain.
prospector (n.)
(a person who searches for gold, oil, or other valuable substances on or under the surface of the earth
30
The prospector searched the river for signs of gold.