This word appeared on the Cool Word Club website on July 11, 2013.
Let’s do a practice round!
Factitious means:
A) Divided in fourths
B) A fragrant aroma
C) Man-made, not genuine
D) Accidental
Vocab Practice: CYGNET
July 16, 2013 by
This word appeared on the Cool Word Club website on July 8, 2013.
Let’s do a practice round!
Cygnet means:
A) A rounded edge
B) A walking stick
C) A small coin
D) A young swan
That’s an EPHEMERAL Bug!
July 15, 2013 by
Of all the animals in the world, insects are among the most diverse. In fact, scientists have documented more than 900,000 different species of living insects. With so many different types of insects, each one has something unique to offer.
Take the mayfly, for example. This aquatic insect is unusual because it has a lifespan of just one to two days. Despite its short life, this ephemeral (see definition and hear pronunciation below) insect accomplishes a lot in one day.
After a mayfly egg hatches, it mates, lays new eggs and dies in about 24 to 48 hours.
Cool word vocabulary question of the day: Do you have a favorite ephemeral activity?
EPHEMERAL: Lasting for only a day, short-lived.
Click to hear the pronunciation of ephemeral:
It’s Frankly FACTITIOUS!
July 11, 2013 by
When the temperature soars, a drink of cold water really hits the spot!
These days, many people get their drinking water from plastic bottles. In fact, the US consumes more bottled water than any country in the world.
It’s sometimes easier to grab a bottle of water on your way out the door rather than take the time to drink tap water from a glass. But plastic is a factitious (see definition and hear pronunciation below) material that creates pollution.
Believe it or not, the average American uses 167 plastic water bottles in a year’s time, according to recent statistics. That’s why recycling is so important.
So, if you drink water from a plastic bottle, don’t forget to recycle. Or better yet, consider getting your drink from the faucet!
Cool word vocabulary question of the day: What factitious materials do you encounter on a regular basis?
FACTITIOUS: Man-made rather than produced by nature, not genuine, artificial.
Click to hear the pronunciation of factitious:
Vocab Practice: SCINTILLATE
July 10, 2013 by
This word appeared on the Cool Word Club website on July 4, 2013.
Let’s do a practice round!
Scintillate means:
A) To emit flashes of light
B) To wonder aloud
C) To count one’s money
D) To make a pounding sound
Vocab Practice: VISAGE
July 9, 2013 by
This word appeared on the Cool Word Club website on July 1, 2013.
Let’s do a practice round!
Visage means:
A) A sharp edge
B) A bluish color
C) A person’s face
D) A type of planter
Do You Know This CYGNET?
July 8, 2013 by
There are few birds that are more elegant than the swan. With its sleek body and graceful lines, it creates a beautiful image as it glides across a calm body of water.
For some people, the most enduring image of the swan comes from the well-known fairy tale “The Ugly Duckling” by the Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen.
In this story, a young, homely bird is rejected because of its appearance but is later transformed into a stunning swan that flies away with a new family.
In real life, a cygnet (see definition and hear pronunciation below) flies for the first time a few months after being hatched. In adulthood, a swan’s wingspan can extend six to eight feet across.
That’s truly a big bird!
Cool word vocabulary question of the day: If you were to write a story about a swan, how would you portray the bird?
CYGNET: A young swan.
Click to hear the pronunciation of cygnet:
That Really SCINTILLATES!
July 4, 2013 by
The Fourth of July is celebrated in the US to mark the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Adopted on July 4, 1776, this famous document proclaims the original 13 American colonies’ freedom and independence from Great Britain.
Also known as Independence Day, the holiday is now celebrated with picnics, parades and colorful fireworks that scintillate (see definition and hear pronunciation below) in the nighttime sky.
Of course, that well-known phrase “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” first appeared in the Declaration of Independence.
If you’ve never read this remarkable document, it’s worth checking out. Click here for the transcript: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html
And have a happy—and safe—July 4th!
Cool word vocabulary question of the day: Can you think of any other objects that scintillate?
SCINTILLATE: To emit quick flashes of light, sparkle; show brilliance.
Click to hear the pronunciation of scintillate:
Vocab Practice: MITT
July 3, 2013 by
This word appeared on the Cool Word Club website on June 27, 2013.
Let’s do a practice round!
Mitt means:
A) A flat stone
B) A person’s hand
C) Fluffy fabric
D) A type of sock
Vocab Practice: PROSAIC
July 2, 2013 by
This word appeared on the Cool Word Club website on June 24, 2013.
Let’s do a practice round!
Prosaic means:
A) Commonplace
B) Loudly
C) Related to a plant
D) Filled with air
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