NEW VOCABULARY STORY 15 CAN YOU MAKE A STORY CONTAINING THESE FIVE WORDS?: assertion assiduous astute assumption assuage MY VOCABULARY STORY: Galileo’s assertion that the Earth goes around the Sun was based on assiduous astute observations. However; his assumption he would be believed was wrong. He should have payed more attention to assuaging the Pope. SIMPLE VERSION: Galileo’s claim that the Earth goes around the Sun was based on careful clever observations. However; his belief he would be believed was wrong. He should have payed more attention to calming down the Pope. PARAPHRASE: Galileo did careful smart experiments to show the earth goes around the sun, but he failed because he did not attend to the annoyance he caused to the Pope.

NEW VOCABULARY STORY 14 CAN YOU MAKE A STORY CONTAINING THESE FIVE WORDS?: ARTICULATE ACQUIESCE ACRID ACUTE ACRIMONIOUS MY VOCABULARY STORY: Stephen Crane was able to articulate a soldier’s life in the American Civil War. How troops acquiesced to marching through drill; the acid acute acrimonious conditions in a battle. SIMPLE VERSION: Stephen Crane was able to portray a soldier’s life in the American Civil War. How troops got used to marching through drill; the bitter extreme hostile conditions in a battle. PARAPHRASE: Stephen Crane wrote about soldiery in the Civil War. From marching drill to the fury of battles.

NEW VOCABULARY STORY 13 CAN YOU MAKE A STORY CONTAINING THESE FIVE WORDS?: ACCLAIM EXEMPLARY ACCESSIBLE ACCOMMODATION ACKNOWLEDGE MY VOCABULARY STORY: New York City won acclaim as an exemplary accessible city, offering accommodation to immigrants but the Mayor has acknowledged that we are full now. SIMPLE VERSION: New York City won praise as an model welcoming city, offering shelter to immigrants but the Mayor has admitted that we are full now. PARAPHRASE: New York City is proud of being a sanctuary city, giving shelter to newcomers but the Mayor now admits we are full now.

NEW VOCABULARY STORY 12 CAN YOU MAKE A STORY CONTAINING THESE FIVE WORDS?: NEBULOUS NARRATIVE NAIVETE COMPREHENSIVE NEFARIOUS MY VOCABULARY STORY: George Orwell’s Animal Farm starts as a nebulous narrative with a kind of naivete but becomes a comprehensive description of a state’s nefarious nature. SIMPLE VERSION: George Orwell’s Animal Farm starts s a dream-like story with a childish simplicity but become a complete description of a state’s wickedness. PARAPHRASE: Animal Farm is written as a child’s fable but gives a powerful portrait of evil.

This program tests 17,000 words. You get to chose the length of the words or leave it random. You hear a word; you can slow it down to make it clear. You write the word on paper. You see the answer. This program is useful if sobering.

NEW VOCABULARY STORY 10 THE CAPTURED JOAN OF ARC CAN YOU MAKE A STORY CONTAINING THESE FIVE WORDS?: DEFINITIVE DEFINITION DISPERSED DISPARITY RECANT MY VOCABULARY STORY: The definitive hero is Joan of Arc; the very definition of faith and bravery. When she was captured, her army dispersed because of the disparity with the English; she refused to recant her faith. SIMPLE VERSION: The perfect hero is Joan of Arc; a model of faith and bravery, When she was captured, her army scattered because of the mismatch with the English; she refused to refused to renounce her faith. PARAPHRASE: Joan of Arc is a perfect hero and model. She was captured by the English who out numbered her army and made them run away. She refused to give in to their demands that she renounce her faith.

New vocabulary Story 9 CAN YOU MAKE A STORY CONTAINING THESE FIVE WORDS?: ADVERSARY ADHERENT ADROIT ADOPT AVERSE MY VOCABULARY STORY: His adversary was an adherent to yoga which he said made him adroit. He adopted a vegetarian diet and was adverse to meat. SIMPLE VERSION: His opponent was an follower of yoga which he said made him resourceful. He took up a vegetarian diet and was against eating meat. PARAPHRASE: The person he was against did yoga and ate a strict vegetarian diet. He claimed it helped him cope better.

New vocabulary story 8 CAN YOU MAKE A STORY CONTAINING THESE FIVE WORDS?: INCLUSIVE INCISIVE INCIDENTAL INCITE INCOMPATIBILITY MY VOCABULARY STORY: It is now the policy to be inclusive. But a wise man made this incisive observation: Even incidental differences can incite trouble, causing incompatibility. SIMPLE VERSION: It is now standard practice to include different people in groups. But a wise man made this cutting comment: Even minor differences can start trouble, causing people not to work together properly. PARAPHRASE: The practice of mixing people with difference is doomed to failure according to a wise observer. He devastatingly said even little things can be the basis of fighting and the inability to work together.

New vocabulary story 7 CAN YOU MAKE A STORY CONTAINING THESE FIVE WORDS?: EDIFY ECONOMY INDEFATIGABLE INDICATIVE EGOTISM MY VOCABULARY STORY: Bad times may have the power to edify, but it is important to realize the economy is indefatigable indicative of the egotism it is built on. SIMPLIFIED STORY: Bad times may have the power to build morality, but it is important to realize the financial system is untiring showing it is based on people’s sense of self importance. PARAPHRASE: Bad times may create spirituality, but you have to admit the world of money and business will always rebound because it is based on greed.

New vocabulary story 6 CAN YOU MAKE A STORY CONTAINING THESE FIVE WORDS?: FEASIBLE COMPILE FLUCTUATE FIGURATIVE FLAGRANT MY VOCABULARY STORY: When it became feasible to compile data on how train car temperatures fluctuate, it was found they are figuratively hot as hell in the summer and cold as ice in the winter. This was due to the flagrant disregard for passenger comfort. SIMPLIFIED STORY: When it became possible to collect data on how train car temperatures change, it was found they are literally hot as hell in the summer and cold as ice in the winter. This was due to the complete disregard for passenger comfort. PARAPHRASE: It became possible to collect data on train car temperatures. Very unacceptable levels were found which varied widely with the seasons. It showed that the train company did not care about the passenger’s comfort at all.

CAN YOU MAKE A STORY CONTAINING THESE FIVE WORDS?: DISPUTATIOUS GUILE DELINEATED DELETERIOUS GULLIBLE MY VOCABULARY STORY: The disputatious salesman by guile delineated the deleterious properties of his competitor’s products to his gullible clients, SIMPLIFIED STORY: The argumentative salesman craftily outlined the harmful properties of his competitor’s products to his naive clients. PARAPHRASE: The salesman could argue. He liked to play with his customers by listing the bad effects of products sold by other companies. many people readily believed him.

New vocabulary story 4 CAN YOU MAKE A STORY CONTAINING THESE FIVE WORDS?: POLEMICAL PONDEROUS OBTUSE OFFICIOUS OBSTINATE MY VOCABULARY STORY: Many people find the polemical writing of Marx ponderous and obtuse. He is also obstinately officious in his desire to change the world. SIMPLIFIED STORY: Many people find the argumentation writing of Marx heavy, awkward and difficult. He is also unreasonably bent on offering his services in his desire to change the world. PARAPHRASE: The works of Marx rub many people the wrong way. He is tedious and difficult. He continually rants about advice to turn the world inside out; which seems totally unreasonable.

WHY AM I WRITING MORE VOCABULARY STORIES: I am embarking on writing yet more vocabulary stories; I already have 1000 similar stories on TES. So, I should explain the reasons for offering these to you: My common word stories are a flop. Not many people want those. But many people have looked at and have downloaded my fancy vocabulary stories. (It is a thrill to see my work go all around the world!) There is a continuing desire for fancy vocabulary learning; these words have earned their way in the world! It also seems that certain subjects attract interest in themselves. The new format with 5 words is quick, easy and clear. WHAT THESE STORIES CAN BE USED FOR: Vocabulary words can be used for do nows. You can challenge students or yourself to make A story out of 5 fancy words. It is easy and gets easier with practice. Paraphrasing stories, makes it clear that you know what the words mean. Short interesting stories can delightfully made by cleaver minds. There can be different takes on the same set of words. You can add a paraphrase to rephrase the ideas to make the story clearer; not stilted by the need to get words used. I feel energized to write these stories. Words are flexible enough to serve as a medium to express ideas I am currently thinking about. For example; I really went to a casino spa that was shockingly charging $100 dollars extra to its hotel guests; this found itself into story 1. I hope you use my word sets and stories to improve your vocabulary and thinking - to keep your gray matter in the pink, along with me. Paul Skittone

New vocabulary story 3 CAN YOU MAKE A STORY CONTAINING THESE FIVE WORDS?: PLAUSIBLE POLARIZE OMINOUS DEBUNK PLACATE MY VOCABULARY STORY: There are many plausible ominous theories about the Kennedy Assassination that have polarized American society ever since 1963. To placate conspiracy theorists and debunk their ideas, many government documents have been declassified. SIMPLIFIED STORY: There are many believable alarming theories about the Kennedy Assassination that have torn American society ever since 1963. To calm conspiracy theorists and discredit their ideas, many government documents have been declassified. PARAPHRASE: The Kennedy Assassination has been controversial ever since it happened in 1963. There are shocking theories that many people believe. Government documents have been declassified in an attempt to disprove many of these ideas and satisfy critics.

VOCABULARY STORY: Discerning people enumerated the discordant amounts of actual discounts disclosed in a court case and the promised discounts in deceptive ads by a cruise ship company. SIMPLIFIED STORY: Alert people listed the different amounts of actual reductions in prices revealed in a court case and the promised cuts in tricky ads by a cruise ship company. PARAPHRASE: A court case was brought against a cruise ship company. It was claimed that it was wrongfully offering lower prices that it did not honor. Those following the story closely counted all the difference in the advertised prices and the actual prices charged.

Vocabulary Word Version: The inadvertent misconception made by the casino in its ads that its spa facilities are a free compliment to people checked into its hotel rooms was decried by people when they went to the spa and were told there is a $100 dollar entrance charge even to those in the hotel. Simplified Version: The unintentional impression made by the casino in its ads that its spa amenities are a free addition to people checked into its hotel rooms was disapproved of by people when they went to the spa and were told there is a $100 entrance charge even to those in the hotel. Paraphrase: The casino ran an ad showing its spa. It made it look like this was part of the deal when you went there and got a room. This was not done on purpose. People complained when they went to the spa and were told there is an additional $100 dollar entrance fee even to those in the hotel.

How many syllables are in the English language? A learned professor says 15,000; however; he uses uncommon words and dubious sound combinations. Here is my list using common words. It is under 5,000 syllables.

This is a writing exercise. It will get you to creatively write a story. Make a story from this list, using at least ten words: (I have included my story answer, with a paraphrase of it.) tape controversy stuff celibacy eat cull caucus gospel waxen goat korean perspicacious animate divination tawny fort brazen coroner mindset flake SAINT STEPHAN THE FIRST MARTYR Saint Stephan was the first martyr. He denounced devination in an animated way, causing controversy in the pagan city. To tempt him, he was asked to eat brazen goat offered to idols that the pagans stuff themselves with. He grew waxen and began preaching the gospel with a firm mindset and refused; so they killed him. Saint Stephan was the first person killed for the faith. He condemned fortune-telling in an lively way, causing a commotion in the pagan city. To catch him up, he was asked to eat grilled goat offered to pagan gods that the pagans gorge themselves with. He grew pale and began preaching the gospel with a steady attitude and said no; so they killed him.

AN ENGLISH WORD LIST Many attempts have been made to list a complete list of common English words. Here is mine. It took one year to compile. It is 17,000 words long. THE RULES I have tried to make it short but inclusive Any word that I have never heard or seen has been left out. I have usually only included one form of a word: government not governmental. THE REASONS FOR A COMMON WORD LIST Not to say I climbed it because it was there but such a project should be done; that is, any word you can think of is (or should be) on this list. I guess it is useful to learn English. It does display the richness of English; how any idea can be communicated. A BIOGRAPHY Such a list is a reflection of the interests and activities of the compiler. English peoples have participated in all the interests and activities of mankind. New words are continuously entering (and leaving) the “list”. I myself at 73 years old have many interests on an introductory level; without being boring and tedious. A spelling program is possible - a w then you see the word can be read, you can attempt a spelling, word. AVAILABLE AND FREE So here it is. Amazing how it fits in such a small space.

This is a writing exercise. It will get you to creatively write a story. Make a story from this list, using at least ten words: (I have included my story answer, with a paraphrase of it.) tape controversy stuff celibacy eat cull caucus gospel waxen goat korean perspicacious animate divination tawny fort brazen coroner mindset flake WHAT THE KOREAN WAR GENERAL DID There was an animated controversy during the Korean war. It was investigated by a congressional caucus which culled information from tapes. They said a general lived in a safe fort, eating to stuff himself with rich food. At the same time, he had a mindset to feed troops into battle without regard. The coroner said many deaths could have been avoided with a more perspicacious attitude. There was an lively scandal during the Korean war. It was explored by a congressional committee which drew information from recordings. They said a general lived in a secure strong place, eatting to fill himself with rich food. At the same time, he had an attitude to send troops carelessly into battle. The death investigator said many casualties could have been avoided with a more cautious strategy.