“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” –Chinese Proverb Taskmaster 1: Lesson 4 Today’s words come from four passages taken from Where the Red Fern Grows (see FOR YOUR INFORMATION below). To listen to a recording of these passages, tune in to the kavoicecast.com website. 1. RESIDENTIAL “After all, it wasn’t anything to get excited about, just another dogfight in a RESIDENTIAL section.” RESIDENTIAL is an adjective that means made for people to live in. Many buildings in downtown Seattle have both retail and RESIDENTIAL functions, with shops on the first few floors and condominiums above. RESIDENTIAL is also used to refer to the accommodation provided by a hospital, university, business, or other institution or service, as in: Fortunately, the university has RESIDENTIAL facilities for graduate students, which allowed me to continue with my lab research and earn my doctorate degree. Children’s Hospital has RESIDENTIAL apartments for the parents of long-­‐term patients. And last but definitely not least, RESIDENTIAL also describes an area of a city occupied by private houses. Police responded to an emergency call from a high-­‐end RESIDENTIAL neighborhood on the outskirts of Gastonbury. The barriers prevent impatient drivers from cutting through RESIDENTIAL streets whenever the main roads are congested. The verb form is RESIDE, which is a fancy or formal word for live. Synonyms include occupy, inhabit, and stay in. Moving to the city would have meant a higher-­‐paying teaching position, but Marianne decided to RESIDE in the country and teach at the local village school. The sociological study targeted urban children RESIDING in areas of the city with limited educational options. KA’s long-­‐distance learning course offers students the opportunity to study English, no matter where they RESIDE. RESIDE is also sometimes used to talk about where something like a pain or problem comes or stems from. Listen to this example. Doctors speculate that the cause of migraine headaches may RESIDE in brain-­‐stem malfunctioning. In addition, RESIDE can be used to talk about where political authority or civil rights lie or are vested. Ultimately, the power to make final executive decisions RESIDES in the President of the United States. RESIDE may also be used colloquially, even a bit humorously, to mean situated or located in a particular place, as in: All my old college textbooks have RESIDED in the attic gathering dust for 20 years. They’re of no use to me now, but they still mean a lot to me. RESIDENT is the first of two noun forms of RESIDE. A RESIDENT is a person who lives somewhere permanently or on a long-­‐term basis. Similar words include inhabitant, citizen, and tenant. The suburb’s RESIDENTS all chipped in generously to have a park built in the neighborhood for children to play in. Johann recently took the “Life in the UK” test so he could apply to become a permanent RESIDENT. RESIDENT also refers to a recent medical school graduate who is working under supervision in a hospital. All third-­‐year surgical RESIDENTS of King County Hospital are required to select a specialist field. RESIDENT may also be used in formal English as an adjective or modifier meaning live-­‐in or living in. Look at these examples. Are Mr. and Mrs. Stern currently RESIDENT in Kent? Janet has been Mr. Atkinson’s RESIDENT caregiver for going on 30 years! The other noun form, RESIDENCE, is another word for home or the place a person lives. Osborne House was a seaside RESIDENCE of Queen Victoria, who died there in 1901. RESIDENCE also refers to the condition of living in a particular place. Although Northampton was his main place of RESIDENCE, Jason kept a small, one-­‐bedroom flat in London, within walking distance of his office. Doris West is the university’s writer-­‐in-­‐RESIDENCE who teaches our fiction and creative non-­‐
fiction writing classes. 2. SCALD “It was too much for him and he took off down the street, squalling like a SCALDED cat.” The verb SCALD means to burn, usually with a hot liquid. The emergency-­‐room patient had scalded himself when he tripped by the stove and plunged his hand into a pan of boiling gravy. SCALD also means to heat milk or other liquid to near boiling point. Some baking recipes require that you SCALD milk to prevent it from curdling. SCALD also means to immerse or plunge something briefly in boiling water, usually for cooking purposes. SCALDING the peaches in boiling water for 30 seconds makes it easy to remove the skin, saving you a lot of time. SCALD is also used figuratively to talk about a burning sensation like that of hot water on the skin. SCALDED by the blazing sun, the lost hikers trekked aimlessly around the desert. The adjective form, SCALDING, means very hot or burning, and is used like this: Beth took a sip of SCALDING tea and burnt her tongue. If your hot water runs out of the tap at SCALDING temperatures, turn the setting of your water heater down. In everyday speech, SCALDING is often used (a tad redundantly) to modify “hot,” as in: Australia’s SCALDING hot heat wave has scorched the grain belt, potentially hurting the wheat-­‐ sowing prospects for this year. 3. COAX “He bowed his head, and his long, red tail started slowly thumping the ground. I kept COAXING. On his stomach, an inch at a time, he came to me and laid his head in my hand.” The verb COAX means to try hard to get someone to do or say something. Similar words include persuade, urge, cajole, plead, and beg. No amount of COAXING will get me on that stage! I will not sing karaoke in front of this crowd! Ice cream has long been used as a reliable means of COAXING good behavior from naughty children. To ease the labor shortage, retired people could be COAXED back to work by allowing them to claim their pensions while on the job. Warren wasted his time trying to COAX his stubborn, old-­‐fashioned superiors to consider his new cost-­‐cutting proposal. COAX also means to use persuasion tactics to obtain or get something from someone. I tried to COAX an additional $20 from my dad, but he said if I wanted more money, I’d have to work for it. My wife managed to COAX a ten-­‐percent reduction in price out of the real estate agent. And finally, to COAX also means to manipulate something carefully into a particular shape or position. In preparation for the wedding, Kimberly’s mother had COAXED her daughter’s lovely blonde hair into beautiful, long ringlets. Peter had to COAX his big van into the parking space. 4. STARVE “The knotty joints of his hips and shoulders stood out a good three inches from his body. I could tell he was STARVED.” The verb STARVE means to suffer or die from lack of food. Knowing that they might STARVE if they didn’t, the trapped miners strictly rationed their food and water provisions. It is estimated that more than 3.5 million North Koreans STARVED to death in the severe famine of the 1990’s. The first priority was to get aid to the earthquake victims to prevent them from STARVING. STARVE can also mean to cause someone (or an animal) to go hungry or die of hunger. I know it’s not the healthiest way to lose weight, but I’ve been STARVING myself trying to drop a few pounds so I can fit into my bridesmaid dress for the wedding. A Derby County man was charged with animal cruelty when police responded to his residence after neighbors complained that his horses were being STARVED. STARVING and STARVED are informal (and exaggerated) ways to express hunger. I don’t know about you, but I’m STARVING! I could go for a big, juicy hamburger and some French fries. “Hey, Mom, I’m STARVED! Anything good to eat?” STARVE can also mean to deprive someone or something of something necessary other than food. Look at these examples: Alyssa acts out and behaves badly at home because she is STARVING for her mother’s attention. STARVED of the necessary funds because of the government’s austerity measures, the school was forced to cut back its arts programs. STARVATION is the noun form and it means suffering or death caused by hunger. Some other ways to say the same thing include famine, lack of food, and malnourishment. Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by self-­‐STARVATION and excessive weight loss. In the siege of Stalingrad, many soldiers on both sides froze to death or died of STARVATION. 5. AFFLICT “I was ten years old when I first became AFFLICTED with this terrible disease.” AFFLICT is a verb most commonly used to talk about illnesses or other serious problems. It means to cause (or be troubled by) pain or to bring great harm or suffering on someone. Synonyms for AFFLICT include trouble, burden, torment, plague, and distress. His younger child was AFFLICTED with a rare skin disease that gave him blisters and rashes whenever he was exposed to sunlight. Diabetes and heart disease often occur together and AFFLICT people who are overweight or obese. As a result of the economic crisis, even the older, more affluent neighborhoods of London are starting to suffer from some of the crime and joblessness that AFFLICT the inner cities. THE AFFLICTED is a set phrase that refers to people who are collectively suffering from or AFFLICTED BY a disease or illness. When the Ebola virus broke out in the Algerian refugee camp, the Red Cross sent dozens of doctors and nurses to the area to help treat THE AFFLICTED. AFFLICTION is the noun form of AFFLICT. Similar words include disease, disorder, ailment, trouble., pain, and suffering. This past winter, the NHS tried to contain a new strain of norovirus, a common AFFLICTION often referred to as stomach flu. Though Justin suffers seriously from asthma, he refuses to allow the AFFLICTION to incapacitate him. Unemployment has become a deep and prevalent AFFLICTION in the northern counties. Consequently, the crime rate there has soared. AFFLICT is often confused with INFLICT. AFFLICT, which is used with the proposition with, means to impose physical or mental suffering on something. INFLICT, which takes the preposition on, means to impose something on someone. The direct object of AFFLICT is the person, group, or thing suffering from the AFFLICTION. The direct object of INFLICT is the agent or producer of the suffering. Listen to these examples: In recent years, the Richardson family has been AFFLICTED with one tragic episode after another. Critics say that the new international export restrictions could unintentionally INFLICT economic difficulty on some developing countries. 6. DETERMINATION “With my three little traps and a bulldogged DETERMINATION, I set out to trap myself a raccoon.” DETERMINATION is a noun that in the sentence above means a feeling of fixed or strong purpose. Synonyms for DETERMINATION include resolution, willpower, perseverance, and purposefulness. The brothers’ DETERMINATION to live “rough” in Alaska for thirty days was tested by a lashing winter storm soon after their arrival. The African women in the Food for Work and Food for Training programs are learning to shape their own futures and are embracing a new outlook on life with hope and DETERMINATION. DETERMINATION may also simply mean a decision. “I’ll make my final DETERMINATION tomorrow, after I have slept on it,” the judge said. DETERMINATION may also refer to the controlling or deciding of someone’s nature or outcome. To set monthly policy payment rates, our new life insurance plan takes an individual’s current health, lifestyle, and genetic DETERMINATION into account. The verb form, DETERMINE, has several usages. Most commonly, DETERMINE means to precisely ascertain or establish something, typically as a result of research or calculation. Synonyms include find out, discover, learn, and deduce. Detectives said they would interview family members to DETERMINE whether the missing couple had any connection with the Portland area. DETERMINING precisely how far away a distant object lies in space is difficult because the universe lacks clear distance markers. DETERMINE also means to cause something to occur in a certain way or to be the decisive factor in something. Synonyms include control, decide, regulate, and influence. Tonight’s game will DETERMINE which team will advance to the Super Bowl. Experts predict that it will be the women’s vote that will DETERMINE the outcome of the election. DETERMINED is a kind of adjective based on the verb DETERMINE that means to be firmly decided or settled on something. Other words similar in meaning (but used a little differently) include resolved, resolute, and steadfast. Although she has faced some personal difficulties this academic year, Grace is DETERMINED to finish her degree and get a job teaching English in Japan. The housing market may be in a slump, but the Garners are DETERMINED to sell their house for its true market value. James had a DETERMINED look on his face, as if nothing could keep him from achieving his goal. DETERMINING is another adjective form. It means decisive or critical or most important. For Karl, the DETERMINING factor for his accepting the job was not the high salary but the challenge and sense of accomplishment the work itself offers. 7. DARE “It made me angry to think that an old bush would DARE to grow so close to the graves.” DARE is a verb that means to be bold enough or have enough courage to try or do something that is dangerous or risky. The Olympic figure skater DARED a risky but breathtakingly beautiful move that earned her a ten on every judge’s scorecard. The headmistress wanted to expel the trouble-­‐making pupil, but she didn’t DARE risk upsetting his affluent parents, the school’s most generous benefactors. The little girl heard a loud scream and sat stiffly on the side of her bed, not DARING to look out the window for fear of what she might see. DARE may also mean to challenge or defy someone to do something, usually something risky or even foolish. The older fraternity boys DARED the freshman recruits to stand outside their house naked for one hour. Let’s look at some commonly heard expressions using the word DARE. “Don’t you DARE!” is used to order someone threateningly not to do something, as in: Don't you DARE touch me! If you do, I’ll scream! Don’t you DARE spend all that money on golf clubs! We have a pile of bills to pay! Another common DARE expression is “How DARE you!” which is used to show anger, indignation, or hurt feelings caused by someone’s rudeness or offensiveness. How DARE you talk to me like that! I’m your mother, not one of your mates! How DARE you tell everyone what I told you! It was personal! I thought I could trust you! How DARE you lie so blatantly to me! Do you think I’m stupid? And lastly, the phrase “I DARESAY” is a somewhat old-­‐fashioned expression used to indicate that you believe that something is likely true. It means something like “I truly believe or feel that …” “People think I am a fool and I DARESAY they’re right!” DARING is the adjective form. Someone who is courageous or bold is DARING, as in: Most of the children splashed and played along the shallow edges of the pond, while the more DARING kids swam out and dived into its depths. Robin Hood is one of the most DARING heroes of British legend and folklore. DARING may also be used to describe actions as well as people. Taking part in the anti-­‐war demonstration and getting arrested for disturbing the peace seemed DARING at the time, even revolutionary for a meek young person like me. In his State of the Union Address, President Obama spoke about how the world can be made better with the strategic and DARING use of time, money, and resources. As a noun, a DARE is a challenge, especially one that is made to get someone to prove his or her courage. When we are young, we will often accept foolish, dangerous DARES that we would never think of carrying out when we are older. Incidentally, Truth or DARE is a very popular party game for young teens and adolescents in America. Players give one another the choice between answering a question truthfully or performing some sort of DARE. 8. DESPERATION “It was no use. I just couldn’t catch the clever old raccoons. In DESPERATION, I went to my grandfather.” DESPERATION is a noun that means a feeling of having no other choice or having lost all hope. Similar words include despair, hopelessness, and discouragement. The deprivation and DESPERATION of life in the slums of Mumbai really came through in Chelsea’s dramatic, Pulitzer Prize-­‐winning photographs. As their DESPERATION increases, deficit-­‐ridden countries are growing more inventive and resourceful in their attempts to find ways to cope. DESPERATE is the adjective form and it describes either a person or situation that is hopeless. The unfortunate truth is that people who are DESPERATE often turn to alcohol and drugs for comfort, and some even become suicidal. A Thousand Splendid Suns explores the DESPERATE realities faced by three women in Afghanistan. DESPERATE may also be used to describe a person who has a great need or desire for something, but with little hope of success. Misleading weight-­‐loss programs prey on consumers DESPERATE for an easy solution. I was nervous and DESPERATE for a cigarette, but I managed to resist the temptation to start smoking again. DESPERATELY is the adverb form. Synonyms include hopelessly, seriously, and urgently. When she heard intruders break into her house downstairs, Ruth hid in a closet and called 911 on her cell phone, whispering DESPERATELY for help. I didn’t feel like going to work this morning, so I called in sick and told my manager I was DESPERATELY ill with the flu. Graham DESPERATELY needed to find a new place to live after Hurricane Sandy left his apartment flooded and uninhabitable. FOR YOUR INFORMATION If Black Beauty is the most popular horse story of all time, then Where the Red Fern Grows, the novel from which this lesson’s reading passages are taken, is, along with Old Yeller and The Incredible Journey, the most beloved dog story, at least among American young readers. It is the tale of a boy –
Billy—and his two dogs, Old Dan and Little Ann. Billy lives in the Ozarks, or Cherokee Indian country, a mountainous area of the south-­‐central United States where little boys grow up dreaming of becoming expert trappers and hunters. The story is narrated by Billy as an adult who recalls the time he and his dogs became the finest hunting team in the region, a time of great adventure and triumph as well as great danger and sadness. The novel was written by Wilson Rawls, who himself grew up in the Oklahoma Ozarks and told his first stories not to his family and friends, but to his constant companion, an old hound dog. Where the Red Fern Grows came out in 1961 and was made into an award—winning film. If you would like to read this class coming-­‐of-­‐age autobiographical novel, it’s available in the KA library.