II. While Reading Activities
Word Inference
- crisis |ˈkrīsis| noun (plural crises |-ˌsēz| ) -a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger: the current economic crisis | a family in crisis | a crisis of semiliteracy among high school graduates.
- catastrophe |kəˈtastrəfē| noun -an event causing great and often sudden damage or suffering; a disaster: a national economic catastrophe | leading the world to catastrophe.
- extinction |ikˈstiNG(k)SH(ə)n| noun -1 the state or process of a species, family, or larger group being or becoming extinct: the extinction of the great auk | mass extinctions.
- scorn |skôrn| noun the feeling or belief that someone or something is worthless or despicable; contempt: I do not wish to become the object of scorn | [in singular] : a general scorn for human life.
- hoax |hōks| noun a humorous or malicious deception: they recognized the plan as a hoax | [as modifier] : he was accused of making hoax calls.
- thuggish |ˈTHəɡiSH| adjective characterized by violent behavior: thuggish organized crime gangs | they have been accused of thuggish tactics.
- collude |kəˈlo͞od| verb [no object] -come to a secret understanding for a harmful purpose; conspire: university leaders colluded in price-rigging | the president accused his opponents of colluding with foreigners.
- intimidate |inˈtiməˌdāt| verb -frighten or overawe (someone), especially in order to make them do what one wants: he tries to intimidate his rivals | (as adjective intimidating) : the intimidating defense lawyer.
- obstacle |ˈäbstək(ə)l| noun -a thing that blocks one’s way or prevents or hinders progress: the major obstacle to achieving that goal is money.
- *to duck |dək| intransitive verb –to evade a duty, question, or responsibility.
Sources:
New Oxford American Dictionary
*Marriam-Webster
Grammar Focus: Structure and Usage
I – 2-a
This is not a time to duck making a choice.
II -2 – an
Voting is an act of faith.
III – 2 – are
The obstacles are there.
Reading Comprehension: Fill-ins
But even though the obstacles in this fall of 2020 are systemic, frightening, and immense, voting is still the most important right we have. The story of Horton and the Whos is a reminder that every voice counts.
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