Vocabulary - The Catcher in the Rye Chapters 10 - 13

Part I: Using Prior Knowledge and Contextual Clues

Below are the sentences in which the vocabulary words appear in the text. Read the sentence. Use any clues you can find in the sentence combined with your prior knowledge, and write what you think the underlined words mean in the space provided.

16. The band was putrid. Buddy singer. Very brassy, but not good brassy--corny brassy.

17. . . . the whole summer long we played tennis together almost every morning and golf almost every afternoon. I really got to know her quite intimately.

18. . . . old Ernie turned around on his stool and gave this very phony, humble bow.

19. One thing I have, it's a terrific capacity. I can drink all night and not even show it, if I'm in the mood.

20. He got stinking, but I hardly didn't even show it. I just got very cool and nonchalant.

21. Do you mind getting me my frock?


Part II: Determining the Meaning Match the vocabulary words to their dictionary definitions.

_____ 16. putrid A. Ability to contain, absorb, receive and hold
_____ 17. intimately B. Rotten
_____ 18. humble C. Showing a lack of concern; casual indifference
_____ 19. capacity D. Coat; cloak
_____ 20. nonchalant E. Privately, personally, very closely
_____ 21. frock F. Lowly; unpretentious