Call of the Wild Chapters 4-6 Vocabulary

1. Obdurate (adj.) refusing to do what other people want : not willing to change your opinion or the way you do something Sentence from the book: Page 45 “Francois was obdurate, but when he turned his back Buck again displaced Sol-leks, who was not at all unwilling to go.”

Obdurate The toddler’s obdurate refusal to apologize resulted in a time-out.

2. feigned (verb) a more formal way to say pretend to or imitate; insincere Sentence from the book: Page 55 “Pike, the malingerer, who, in his lifetime of deceit, had often successfully feigned a hurt leg, was not limping in earnest.”

feigned An student in this class feigned being sick so he could stay home and play video games.

3. Imploringly (adverb) begging urgently; trying to plead with someone for something. Sentence from the book: Page 59 “ Mercedes looked at them imploringly, untold repugnance (distaste) at sight of pain written in her pretty face. ”

imploringly The puppies looked at me imploringly, hoping that I would rescue them from the humane society.

4. voracious (adjective) craving or consuming large quantities of food; exceedingly eager. Sentence from the book: Page 63 “The Outside dogs, whose digestions had not been trained by chronic famine..., had voracious appetites.”

voracious Voracious readers tend to have excellent vocabularies and strong writing skills.

5. cajole (verb) to persuade by flattery or promises Sentence from the book: Page 63 “...Mercedes, with tears in her pretty eyes and a quaver in her throat, could not cajole him into giving the dogs still more...”.”

cajole The teacher had to cajole her students with candy to get them to do their best on the test.

6. inarticulate (adj.) incomprehensible, not understandable Sentence from the book: Page 70 “...uttering a cry that was inarticulate and more like the cry of an animal, John Thornton sprang upon the man who wielded the club.”

inarticulate Following the accident, his mumblings were inarticulate and confusing.

7. shrewdly (adverb) mentally sharp or clever; marked by artful and cunning practices; tricky. Sentence from the book: Page 76 “So unexpected was it, and so shrewdly managed, that Spitz was hurled back- ward and off his feet.”

Shrewdly Being a shrewd negotiator is what earned him the promotion.

8. appalled (adj.) feeling shocked and disappointed. Sentence from the book: Page 84 “Half a ton! The enormousness of it appalled him.”

appalled The principal was appalled when the students refused to stop clapping for Mr. Kwinn. Why do they always have to clap I’m just that awesome!