Vocabulary Workshop 4

1. AgitateAg-i-tate(Verb) – an action wordMeaning – to agitate is to bother or upset

someoneExamples

1. Loud music really agitates me when I am trying to study.

2. It is really agitating when I have no reception on my cell phone.

3. My dad looked angry, so I did not want to agitate him by asking if I could stay out late.

If you are agitated, what is one way that you might respond?

What is something that you find agitating?

2. ConfrontCon-front(Verb) – an action wordMeaning – To confront is to stand up to someone

in a threatening or accusing way.Examples

1. She had to confront the student who would not stop bothering her.

2. I had a confrontation with my friend; we did not talk to each other for three days.

3. Confronting your fears is one way to become a stronger person.

4. I wanted to confront my friend about his problems, but I was afraid to.

How does confronting your fears make you a stronger person?Confronting your fears makes you a stronger

person because…

Why is it sometimes difficult to confront a friend?In my opinion, it can be difficult to confront a

friend because…

3. ControversyCon-tro-ver-sy(Noun) – a person, place or thingMeaning – Controversy is a disagreement

among many people.Examples

1. One controversy in America is over the Iraq war.

2. Whether or not abortion should be legal is a controversial subject.

3. When there is controversy among friends, it is often hurtful.

What do you think is one way that people can solve controversies?In my opinion, one way that people can solve

controversies is…

How would you feel if there was controversy among your friends?

4. CriticCrit-ic(Noun) – a person, place or thingMeaning – A critic is a person who judges whether

something is good or bad.Examples

1. My best friend likes to be a critic of my outfits.2. Food critics always know the best places to eat.3. I read what the critics say about a movie before

I spend my money to watch it.4. People often do not like critics because people

do not like to be judged.

Why do you think food critics often get to eat for free at restaurants?Food critics likely get to eat for free at

restaurants because…

What do you think will happen if a movie critic writes a bad review for a new movie?

5. OpposeOp-pose(Verb) – an action wordMeaning – To oppose is to disagree with stronglyExamples

1. I oppose the sale of illegal drugs.2. I oppose unfair treatment based on a

person’s age.3. People should oppose things that harm

the environment.4. In sports, the opposition is the other

team.

Why do you think students would oppose having to wear school uniforms?In my opinion, students would oppose having to

wear uniforms because…

6. OffensiveOf-fen-sive(adjective) – a describing wordMeaning – causing anger or hurt feelingsExamples

1. If a person finds music lyrics offensive, he can decide not to listen to the song.

2. Cursing can be offensive, especially in a professional environment.

What is something that you can do if you find somebody’s language to be offensive?

What is something that is offensive to you?

7. CompromiseCom-pro-mise(Verb) – an action wordMeaning – to settle differences by accepting less

than you wantExamples

1. I had to compromise with my brother and share my soda with him.

2. Compromising is often important in a relationship.

Who is somebody that you sometimes have to compromise with?

Why do you think the ability to compromise is important in a relationship?In my opinion the ability to compromise in a

relationship is important because…

8. PromotePro-mote(verb) – an action wordMeaning – to contribute to the growth of

somethingExamples

1. A musician might promote a new CD by going on a tour.

2. One way to promote a movie is to show previews and release soundtracks.

Do you think that some song lyrics promote violence? Why or why not?In my opinion, song lyrics (might/ do not)

promote violence because..

What is one way for schools to promote reading?

9. DisruptDis-rupt(verb) – an action wordMeaning – to stop or break upExamples

1. It can be very annoying if somebody disrupts your sleep.

2. When students yell in class it can be disruptive.

What is something else that can be disruptive in class?

What are some distractions that can disrupt your flow of thought?

10. RestrictionRe-stric-tion(noun) – a thingMeaning – A rule that limits what you can doExamples

1. There are many driving restrictions to protect drivers.

2. Parents often put restrictions on what their children are allowed to do.

What is a restriction that parents might place on teenagers?

What might happen if there were no driving restrictions?In my opinion, if there were no driving

restrictions then…

11. DetrimentalDe-tri-men-tal(adjective) – a describing wordMeaning – harmfulExamples

1. Loud music can be detrimental to your hearing.

2. Smoking is certainly detrimental to your health.

How might gossiping be detrimental?In my opinion, gossiping can be detrimental

if…

What is something that can be detrimental to your health?

12. CensorCen-sor(verb) – action wordMeaning – to remove parts of a book or song

thought to be harmful or offensiveExamples

1. Radio stations often censor offensive language.2. Many musicians do not want to be censored

because they want to share their ideas.

Why do you think some officials feel the need to censor song lyrics?Some officials feel the need to censor song

lyrics because…

Do you think that censoring songs and television shows is appropriate? Why or why not?In my opinion, officials (should/should not) be

able to censor songs and television shows because…