The First State of Being: Chapters 7–8

by Erin Entrada Kelly
In this novel, Michael and Elizabeth, ordinary kids living in the year 1999, meet a boy from the future.

Here are our links to the lists for the book: Chapters 1-4, Chapters 5-6, Chapters 7-8, Chapters 9-11, Chapters 12-14, Chapters 15-17, Chapters 18-22, Chapters 23-28, Chapters 29-33, Chapters 34-40

25 words 24 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. scrunch
    wrinkle, crease, or crumple a smooth surface
    Gibby’s lips scrunched up, the way they did when she was thinking.
  2. basic
    serving as a base or starting point
    “Let’s start with basic questions. What year are you from?”
  3. unison
    the state of corresponding exactly
    “No,” Michael and Gibby said in unison.
  4. goad
    stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
    “This is a disaster. I’m a disaster. I’m probably causing the end of the world, like, right now. But I couldn’t help it. Shale goaded me. And it’s 1999! The best year!”
  5. momentous
    of very great significance
    His eyes suddenly snapped up like he’d just made a momentous discovery.
  6. reckless
    marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
    Ridge closed his eyes and said, under his breath, “Don’t be reckless, Ridge.”
  7. desperate
    showing extreme urgency or intensity because of great need
    Michael was suddenly desperate to see the book again.
  8. purse
    contract one's lips into a rounded shape
    He pursed his lips.
  9. accustomed
    commonly used or practiced; usual
    You need to get accustomed to the sumbooks.
  10. demo
    a visual presentation showing how something works
    SABIO, SHALE: Did any of you see Hammond’s face during the demo this morning?
  11. bombard
    throw bombs at or attack with bombs
    I should bombard him with holos.
  12. cretin
    a person of subnormal intelligence
    SABIO, IAN: No, cretin.
  13. sterile
    incapable of reproducing
    More than likely, people have already done it, and that’s what got us to where we are right now—this sterile, boring, overly monitored lab.
  14. incredibly
    exceedingly; extremely
    He is incredibly reckless for someone with a high IQ.
  15. upgrade
    rate higher; raise in value
    SABIO, SHALE: There are upgrade credits for that sort of thing.
  16. quotient
    the number obtained by division
    SABIO, RIDGE: I would never use upgrade credits for my intelligence quotient.
  17. recite
    repeat aloud from memory
    Mom will be back any second, and if we don’t know anything about Hurricane Floyd, she’s going to make us recite every international election and natural disaster from memory.
  18. aftermath
    the consequences of an event, especially a catastrophic one
    You’ve just teleported into the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd.
  19. so-called
    doubtful or suspect
    He thinks he doesn’t have to work hard because of his so-called genius-level IQ!
  20. disciplined
    exhibiting self-control and obeying the rules
    All he does is sit around and listen to ancient music and pretend like he’s already a disciplined scientist with the GSC!
  21. suffocate
    deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing
    Imagine being crushed by concrete or suffocating inside a tree trunk!
  22. irresponsible
    showing lack of care for consequences
    This is exactly the kind of thing I’m talking about! He’s irresponsible! Reckless! And now look! Only an idiot would—
  23. pastel
    any of various pale or light colors
    Her wet hair was wrapped in a towel that had once been bright yellow but had faded into a sad pastel.
  24. blankly
    without expression
    Michael stared blankly at the screen.
  25. clench
    squeeze together tightly
    Brought both hands together and clenched them into a tight fist on his lap.
Created on Fri Feb 28 03:08:16 EST 2025 (updated Mon Mar 03 03:23:23 EST 2025)

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