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.”

implorin

gl

y

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.”

inarticulat

e

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!