Unit 1: The Great Gatsby- Vocabulary Set 1

Cynical

• believing that other people are only motivated by self-interest

• having a positive outlook on life

• trusting others' intentions

• believing in the goodness of humanity

Contemptuous

• full of intense disapproval; scornful

• showing great enthusiasm; eager

• lacking interest; indifferent

• exhibiting kindness; compassionate

Notoriety

• positive fame; the state of being known for something good

• negative fame; the state of being known for something bad

• the quality of being unknown or unnoticed

• the state of being famous for a specific talent

Condescend

• to treat others as inferior

• to do something you consider beneath your social position

• to elevate one's status

• to engage in friendly conversation

Homogeneity

• consisting of parts or people that are all the same

• a mixture of different elements

• a state of being diverse

• a process of change over time

Poignant

• causing deep emotions of sadness

• evoking feelings of joy

• inspiring a sense of adventure

• creating a sense of indifference

Coherence

• held or pieced together in a way that makes sense

• randomly arranged without any logic

• confusing and unclear in meaning

• disconnected and unrelated ideas

Vehemently

• done with strong feelings or great force

• done in a calm and collected manner

• done with indifference

• done in a playful manner

Apathetic

• showing little or no interest or concern

• exhibiting strong enthusiasm and passion

• demonstrating high levels of energy and excitement

• displaying a keen sense of curiosity

Ambiguous

• having more than one meaning; unclear

• clear and straightforward

• having a single interpretation

• easily understood