Common Core Grades 11–12, List 7

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
14 words 40 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. abstraction
    a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance
    And they’re apt to favor what they can see, touch, smell and hear over abstractions and ideas.New York Times (Apr 15, 2022)
  2. component
    one of the individual parts making up a larger entity
    In their luxurious sublet in Ann Arbor, Mia had taken various pieces of her hosts’ furniture apart and arranged the components—bolts as thick as her finger, unvarnished crossbeams, disembodied feet—into animals.Little Fires Everywhere
  3. criterion
    the ideal in terms of which something can be judged
    He wondered what criterion people used when they applied the tags “good” and “bad” to their fellowmen.A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
  4. emanate
    proceed or issue forth, as from a source
    The light emanates from a large bonfire in the center of the courtyard.The Night Circus
  5. empirical
    derived from experiment and observation rather than theory
    With the scientific revolution, the purely logical world gave way to an empirical one, based upon observation rather than philosophy.Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea
  6. entity
    that which is perceived to have its own distinct existence
    There is no one, no entity or higher form that she can appeal to, or be reconciled with, or that can forgive her.Atonement
  7. evaluate
    judge; form a critical opinion of
    He had sharp black eyes, like he was constantly thinking and evaluating.A Place to Belong
  8. feasible
    capable of being done with means at hand
    Anything seemed possible, likely, feasible, because I wanted everything to be possible .Black Boy
  9. fluctuate
    be unstable
    They kept their heads steady and mouths aimed at the microphone so that the volume of their voices didn’t fluctuate.Spooked!
  10. formulate
    elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses
    “But I am formulating a theory. It has to do with all those other books and encyclopedias you guys say are missing from the library. Do you have a complete list?”Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics
  11. impervious
    not admitting of passage or capable of being affected
    Lord Roke was impervious to her charm, but interested in its effect on others.The Amber Spyglass
  12. malign
    speak unfavorably about
    “It's one thing to accuse me of laziness. But to malign the good name of America's greatest television judge—that's below the belt.”An Abundance of Katherines
  13. succumb
    give in, as to overwhelming force, influence, or pressure
    “At last, you succumb to my influence. But how are we going to eat without any money?” she asked as they headed down the hill.Six of Crows
  14. transitory
    lasting a very short time
    As he creates it, the Hotel Metropol is transfixing, full of colorful characters: some transitory, others permanent; mostly fictional, some historical.Washington Post (Sep 19, 2016)
Created on August 30, 2022 (updated September 1, 2022)

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