Many people, myself among them, feel better at the mere sight of a book

Jane Smiley

Word

20

example

20

definition

20

UNIT 21

Definition

A background is a person’s education, family, and experience

Example

The new teacher had a background in science and math

Definition

Bait is something used to trick a person or thing to do something

Example

The best bait for catching fish is a big, fat worm

Definition

To chronicle something means to record an event or speech

Example

The daily newspaper chronicles local and world events

Definition

Copper is a red-brown metal often used in electric wire and pipes.

Example

Ancient hunters melted copper to make knives and spears

Definition

A disease is an illness that causes specific problems.

Example

He had a disease that caused him to lose his hearing.

Definition

Folklore is the collection of beliefs and stories of a culture.

Example

India’s folklore has stories written in long poems about great warriors.

Definition

To infect someone means to give them an illness

Example

The common cold infects hundreds of millions of people each year

Definition

To itch means to rub the skin with your fingernails

Example

The rough fabric in his shirt made the back of his neck itch

Definition

Literature is books, plays, and poetry.

Example

Early American literature covers the poetry and stories from 1500 to 1800

Definition

A millennium is one thousand years

Example

Stonehenge is believed to have been built about 5 millenniums ago

Definition

A myth is a traditional story that explains a culture’s history and beliefs.

Example

In Greece, there was a myth about a woman who had snakes for hair

Definition

To promote someone means to raise them to a higher position or rank

Example

After two years in the company, she was promoted to a manager

Definition

To relate to something means to have a connection with it.

Example

A company’s plan usually relates to how much profit it can make

Definition

A religion is a belief in a god or gods.

Example

Their religion taught that people should forgive their enemies

Definition

A sum is a specific amount of money

Example

He calculated the numbers to see what the sum of his bills would be.

Definition

A teller is a person who works with a bank’s customers

Example

The teller at the bank helped Kelly put money into a savings account.

Definition

If someone is trustworthy, they are honest and truthful

Example

Mary is one of the most trustworthy people I’ve ever met

Definition

To update something means to make it more modern.

Example

We need to update the programs on our computers

Definition

A vein is a tube in the body that carries blood toward the heart

Example

The blue veins in my hand are just under my skin

Definition

Venom is a poisonous substance that comes from animals or plants.

Example

A snake’s venom can be used to cure the illnesses it creates