accountableEven though the student was absent from school, he knew he was accountable for having his homework complete when he returned. Def: taking ownershipSyn: responsibleAnt: irresponsibleP.O.S.: adj.

reflectionAfter the tragic events of 9/11, the country spent time in reflection, thinking about what happened and how it affected them. Def: looking back, thinking about past Syn: remembranceAnt: P.O.S.: noun

focusDuring the test, we had to focus on the questions and do our best not to pay attention to distractions such as the kids in the hallway. Def: to pay attention Syn: concentrateAnt: distractP.O.S.: verb

dauntingFinishing her project was a daunting task for Mary, but she kept at it and completed it.

Def: difficult Syn: hard, tough,Ant: easy, simpleP.O.S.: adjective

thwartScooby Doo thwarted the criminals’ plot to rob the bank. They caught the crooks in the act.

Def: to ruin, preventSyn: stopAnt: allowP.O.S.: verb

abandonThe families were forced to abandon their homes as the hurricane approached; the town was left nearly empty.

Def: leave behindSyn: evacuateAnt: stayP.O.S.: verb

intensityThe storm’s intensity had died out by the time it reached the city; its strength was much less than it had been.

Def: strengthSyn: power, magnitudeAnt: P.O.S.: noun

navigateThe scouts had to navigate their way out of the thick woods to earn their next badge; they had a tough time finding their way though.

Def: find your waySyn: directAnt: misdirectP.O.S.: verb

resiliencyBethany Hamilton showed great resiliency when she came back to surfing. She bounced back despite some difficult events.

Def: ability to bounce back or push through

P.O.S.: noun

disheartenedThe student became disheartened after doing poorly on the test. Her disappointment didn’t last long though because she knew she could retake it.

Def: disappointedSyn:upset, sadAnt:happy, excitedP.O.S.: adj

accountable

disheartened

navigateintensityabandon

resiliency

thwartdauntingfocus

reflection