Crime, Punishment…and TeensPage 187

• ac-cuse• Part of speech: verb (action word)• Definition: to accuse someone is to say that he/she

has done something wrong.• Examples:

1. She was falsely accused of murder.2. Brian tried to accuse his classmate of cheating.3. Abigail’s false accusations lead to the deaths of many people.

• What can be some consequences of falsely accusing anyone?

• E-val-u-ate verb (action word)• Definition: to evaluate is to think about

something and decide if it is good or not• Examples:

1. Consumers are always asked to evaluate products.2. Teachers are constantly evaluating students to see if they are actively learning.

• Why do consumers continue to evaluate new products?

• How often do you evaluate your friendship with someone?

• Do you think student evaluations by teachers are important?

• Ju-di-cial• Part of speech: adjective (describing word)• Definition: relating to the law• Examples:

1. The judicial system for juveniles is different than the adult judicial system.2. The members of the jury have to make a judicial

decision.

• What type of professions are involved in the judicial system?

• How can someone’s life change when the members of a jury make a judicial decision?

• Po-ten-tial• Part of speech: noun (person, place, thing, or

idea)• Definition: the possibility that something will

happen• Examples:

1. Jannel has the potential to succeed in life.2. Store owners are constantly looking for ways to

attract potential customers.3. One of the potential benefits of using the computer

for research is not having to carry heavy books.

• If you were a store owner, what would be some ways of attracting potential customers into your establishment?

• What are some of the potential risks when using drugs?

• Con-se-quence• Part of speech: noun (person, place, or thing)• Definition: Something that happens as a result of

something else• Examples:1. A consequence of doing your work paying attention

in class is getting good grades.2. The consequence of committing a serious crime is

going to jail.

• What might be some consequences of breaking the law?

• What are some consequences teenagers might have to face for disobeying their parents?

• Cru-cial• Part of speech: adjective (a describing word)• Definition: extremely important• Examples:1.Passing your tests and doing your homework

is crucial to passing this class.2.It is crucial for athletes to stay in good physical

condition.

• Why might being a good reader be crucial to getting a high paying job?

• What are some qualities that are crucial for success in school?

• Treat – ment • Part of speech: noun (a thing)• Definition: A way to help someone• Examples:

1. Hospitals provide crucial treatment to people with serious injuries.

2. One effective treatment for high-blood pressure is a healthy diet and exercise.

• What type of treatment might be given in a hospital?

• What type of treatment would help a recovering drug addict?

• En-cour-age• Part of speech: verb (an action word)• Definition: to support or praise• Examples:

1. One way for parents to encourage their children to read is to take them to the library.

2. One way to encourage a friend with personal problems is to listen to them talk.

• How might a teenager go about encouraging a friend going through a tough time?

• In what ways do friends and family encourage you?

E-vi-dencePart of speech: noun (person, place, or thing)Definition: facts or objects that make you believe that

something is true.Examples:

1. The broken window was evidence that our home had been robbed.2. The crumbs on my dogs cheeks were evidence that he had eaten my cookies.

• What sort of evidence might police expect to find at a crime scene?

• What are some forms of evidence that a student is working hard?

• Sen-tence• Part of speech: noun (person, place, or thing)• Definition: An amount of time served in jail.• Examples:

1. The judge reduced the prisoner’s sentence because of his good behavior.

• What is an appropriate jail sentence for a bank robber?

• What is an appropriate jail sentence for a teenager who decides to rob a store?

• Tran-si-tion• Part of speech: noun (person, place, or thing)• Definition: a change• Examples:

1. Moving from the city to the country was a difficult transition for James.

2. Making the move from middle school to high school can sometimes be a difficult transition.

• How might it be difficult for some students to transition from middle to high school?

• How might it be difficult for some students who transition to a new school after moving?

• Ac-count-a-bi-li-ty• Part of speech: noun (person, place, thing, or

idea)• Definition: responsible• Examples:

1. All students are accountable for finishing their homework.

2. The justice system is designed to keep criminals accountable by providing consequences.

• Why is it important for students to be accountable?

• Why do think employers demand that workers are accountable?

Sta-tis-ticPart of speech: noun (person, place, or thing)Definition: A fact or piece of information expressed as a

number.Examples:1. A new statistic showed that housing costs in my town

are rising.2. Some statistics show that those with high school

diplomas earn on average 27% more than those without high school diplomas.

• What is a statistic that might be used in sports?