Lesson 11 Vocabulary

Journeys Fourth Grade Vocabulary

Instincts and LearningHave you ever watched in disbelief as a

spider spins an amazing web? How does the spider know how to do that? Why does a human baby utter a cry when it wants something? Why are cats tempted to chase mice, and why do cats play with their prey after they have pounced? These are biological instincts, behaviors that animals and people are born with.

Learned behavior is opposite of instinct. Has a pet ever hastened to greet you, showing joy at your presence? When a pet has endeared itself to a person, it has learned to be lovable. The animal has learned to show affection in return for something, such as food. It’s a pleasing arrangement, for both the person and the pet.

presence (noun)“Wild animals are everywhere. You can find signs of their presence” (Journeys, p. 274).

Definition: the fact of being in a particular place; the state of being present

Different forms: present (adjective)

disbelief (noun)We stared at the raccoons in disbelief. We couldn’t believe our eyes.

Definition: a feeling that you do not or cannot believe that something is true or real

Different forms: disbelieve (verb); disbelieves (verb); disbelieved (verb); disbelieving (verb)

be tempted (verb)

“People might want, or be tempted, to pet wild animals, but the shouldn’t” (Journeys, p. 274).

Definition: to want to do something even though it may be wrong, bad, or unwise

Different forms: tempt (verb); tempts (verb); tempted (verb); tempting (verb)

biological (adjective)“Like all living things, animals have a biological need for food” (Journeys, p. 274).

Definition: relating to life and living things

Different forms: biologically (adverb)

endear (verb)

“Many raccoons have endeared themselves to people, who think they look lovable” (Journeys, p. 275).

Definition: to cause someone to be loved or admired by someone else.

Different forms: endears (verb); endeared (verb); endearing (verb); endearing (adjective)

arrangement (noun)“Pigeons find that living among people is a fine plan, or arrangement” (Journeys, p. 275).

Definition: the way that things or people are organized for a particular purpose or activity

Different forms: arrange (verb); arranges (verb); arranged (verb); arranging (verb)

pounce (verb)

“Owls have often pounced, or jumped, on small animals” (Journeys, p. 275).

Definition: to suddenly jump toward and take hold of someone or something

Different forms: pounces (verb); pounced (verb); pouncing (verb)

utter (adjective)

“Coyotes in suburbs may utter, or express out loud, spooky cries during the night” (Journeys, p. 275).

Definition: to make a sound; to say something

Different forms: utters (verb); uttered (verb); uttering (verb); utterance (noun)

hasten (verb)

“Animals have always hastened to flee from a wildfire. They hurry as fast as they can” (Journeys, p. 275)

Definition: to move or act quickly

Different forms: hastens (verb); hastened (verb); hastening (verb); hasty (adjective)

incident (noun)

“An encounter with a skunk can be a smelly incident. It’s not an enjoyable event” (Journeys, p. 275)

Definition: an unexpected and usually unpleasant thing that happens

Different forms: incidents (plural noun); without incident (without any trouble)

Instincts and LearningHave you ever watched in disbelief as a

spider spins an amazing web? How does the spider know how to do that? Why does a human baby utter a cry when it wants something? Why are cats tempted to chase mice, and why do cats play with their prey after they have pounced? These are biological instincts, behaviors that animals and people are born with.

Learned behavior is opposite of instinct. Has a pet ever hastened to greet you, showing joy at your presence? When a pet has endeared itself to a person, it has learned to be lovable. The animal has learned to show affection in return for something, such as food. It’s a pleasing arrangement, for both the person and the pet.