Grades 11–12: List 1

Vocabulary is key to performing well on Common Core-aligned tests for English Language Arts as well as for building literacy in social studies, science, and technical subjects. This collection features common tier-2 words that are taught and tested in Grades 11 and 12. These words are used in a variety of contexts, exhibit different shades of meaning based on those contexts, and appear commonly in classroom instruction and on standardized assessments.

Here are links to our lists for the collection: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5, List 6, List 7
25 words 119 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. acknowledge
    declare to be true or admit the existence or reality of
    She didn’t want to acknowledge the truth because then it couldn’t be avoided, but the words escaped her anyway.Beasts of Prey
  2. address
    direct one's efforts towards something, such as a question
    “Our office will address the issue as necessary later this week.”Millionaires for the Month
  3. oppose
    be against
    This statement was strongly opposed by the others, and Constance was elected to speak for them.Redwall
  4. viewpoint
    a mental position from which things are considered
    “And this time I want you to come ready to speak up. I think your viewpoint is going to be particularly valuable.”The Benefits of Being an Octopus
  5. counterclaim
    an opinion offered in opposition to another position
    These new standards suggest that students should “develop skills” to debate scientific issues, and support their arguments, “either claims or counterclaims with evidence.”New York Times (Apr 10, 2015)
  6. claim
    an assertion that something is true or factual
    There is some evidence to support their claim.The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
  7. affix
    a linguistic element added to a word
    The word affix signifies either a prefix or a suffix; and the verb to affix means to join a prefix or a suffix to a root-word. New Word-Analysis
  8. analysis
    literary criticism considering the structure of a text
    I tell her that I do not think a history of the Pledge of Allegiance or an analysis of the First Amendment is going to win many votes.The Misfits
  9. antonym
    a word that expresses an opposite meaning
    Among the antonyms for “nice” in Roget’s Thesaurus are “ugly,” “horrible,” “nasty” and “repulsive.”Washington Post (Dec 20, 2020)
  10. argument
    an assertion offered as evidence that something is true
    Though everybody knew that Zeno’s statement was false, nobody could find a flaw in Zeno’s argument.Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea
  11. audience
    the part of the general public interested in something
    Stories invite others along with us on our research experiences, making science more accessible and engaging to diverse audiences.Nature (Jun 8, 2020)
  12. writer
    a person who authors works professionally
    Mom was also a writer and was always typing away on novels, short stories, plays, poetry, fables, and children’s books, which she illustrated herself.The Glass Castle
  13. author
    a person who writes professionally
    “You know I love to write. You know I want to be an author or a journalist someday!”Keep It Together, Keiko Carter
  14. intent
    the planned meaning of a communication
    They asked how I had got out of Pulefen Farm and into Karhide, and they asked the destination and intent of the code message I had sent on their radio.The Left Hand of Darkness
  15. point of view
    a mental position from which things are perceived
    I like debates where you argue about different points of view.Feed
  16. purpose
    an anticipated outcome that guides your planned actions
    Yet this book too is driven by a serious historical purpose, showing us the micro-changes in the landscape of Harlem and the prospects of Black Americans in the North in the 1960s.New York Times (Sep 14, 2021)
  17. biased
    favoring one person or side over another
    “My father hated the Erudite, so I learned to hate them too, and everything they did with their time. Only now I’m thinking he was wrong. Or just... biased.”Allegiant
  18. blog
    an online journal where people post about their experiences
    I had written several more posts on my blog—mostly stuff about the park, school, tarantulas, and how I do things without arms.Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus
  19. capitalization
    the use of uppercase letters
    Also, you may change capitalization and punctuation however you like.Washington Post (Nov 13, 2019)
  20. central
    serving as an essential component
    The role of Olivia—an important role, central to the play—was never mine.It All Comes Down to This
  21. idea
    the content of cognition
    I still had to think of a scientific question, and maybe I could get some ideas from one of Mom’s books.The Science of Breakable Things
  22. character
    an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction
    She’d make a great friend to a character in a book, or in one of Dad’s plays.Because of Mr. Terupt
  23. action
    something done (usually as opposed to something said)
    She jumped into action, getting me to the wagon with John’s help.Worth
  24. interaction
    mutual or reciprocal dealings or influence
    In every interaction with kids at school, I always worry about saying the right thing, being the right way.A Place at the Table
  25. clarify
    make clear and comprehensible
    You need information, and this will clarify the situation.Washington Post (Jan 28, 2019)
Created on July 20, 2022 (updated August 30, 2022)

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