The Dinoff School



Ungifted by Gordon KormanStudy GuideCh. 1 - UnearthedVocabularybattlement - A parapet at the top of a wall, usually of a fort or castle, that has squared openings for shooting throughtoupee - a wig or section of hair worn to cover a bald spotarchrival – the most important competitorskulking – hiding something out of cowardice or fearscoffed – an expression of scorn, contempt, or mockeryconceded – to grant as a right or privilegebelligerence – an aggressive dispositionnape - the back of the neckcareened – to cause to heel overprognosis – the prospect of recovery as anticipated from the usual course of the medical casejuggernaut – a massive inexorable forcer that crushes whatever is in its pathcarom – a rebounding at any anglepulverized – to reduce to very small particlesobscured – not clearly seen or easily distinguishedStudy Questions1. Why is Donovan interested in ? 2. To what was the narrator referring when he said, “the howl of protest that went up all around the building surprised even me”? What does this statement mean?3. Why were the Daniels making grotesque faces at Donovan through the window?4. What did Nussbaum mean by saying, if he’s any kind of basketball fan, you’re golden”? 5. Infer why Donovan wondered if he’d ever need enemies.6. Who are the Hatfields and the McCoys? How would the Daniels be similar to them?7. How would Donovan’s possible inherited survival skills come in handy after the events of chapter one?Chapter 2 - UnidentifiedVocabularyalumni – a person who is a former student of a particular schooltenpin – a bottle-shaped bowling pinknoll – a small round hillskewered – to criticize or ridicule sharply and effectivelyfoundry – an establishment where founding is carried onvandalism – willful or malicious destruction or defacement of public or private propertychagrin – distress of mind caused by humiliationStudy Questions1. Who is the narrator?2. Who is Dr. Schultz? What is his one rule?3. Why did Dr. Schultz feel satisfaction at Donovan’s worried look?4. Why was Dr. Schultz so upset when he returned to his office?Chapter 3 - UnexplainedVocabularydeployed – to spread out, utilize, or arrange for a deliberate purposeretorted – to pay or hurl backbuffer zone – a neutral area separating conflicting forcesmelancholy – a depression of spiritsreverie - daydreamglowered – to look or stare with sullen annoyance or angermused – to become absorbed in thoughtlistless – characterized by lack of interest, energy, or spiritmewling – to cry weakly; whimpermodus operandi – a method of procedurecrowed – to brag exultantly or blatantlylanguid – drooping or flagging from or as if from exhaustionStudy Questions1. Why does Donovan say that he probably will never die of stress?2. Why was Katie living with her parents?3. What did Donovan mean by calling Katie “Miss Goodyear”?4. Why did Katie seem depressed?5. Who did Donovan think was waiting for him in the office? Who was actually waiting for him? Why had he called Donovan to the office?6. Why did Donovan refer to himself as Dog-Whisperer Donovan? Why was this a problem?7. Why did Donovan’s parents receive a letter recommending their son for a gifted program?Chapter 4 - UnarmedVocabularychastened – to correct by punishment or sufferingjarred – to be out of harmonyStudy Questions1. Explain Chloe’s first hypothesis in your own words. Do you agree or disagree?2. Explain the meaning of “athletic ability exists in inverse proportion to intelligence”.3. What does the expression “you’ve been riding the gravy train longer” mean?Chapter 5 - UnknowingVocabularyinsurrection – an act or instance of revolting against civil authority or an established governmentsmattering – superficial piecemeal knowledgepang – a brief piercing spasm of painvector – to change the direction for steeringtroglodyte – a person characterized by reclusive habits or reactionary attitudeslapel – the part of a garment that is turned back shoddy - inferior, imitative, or pretentious articles or matterStudy Questions1. Why didn’t the student get in trouble for throwing an airplane out of the bus?2. Why did Donovan feel guilty that his mother was proud of him?3. How does Donovan justify his ability to copy answers off of Noah’s paper?4. What does “the Youkilis factor” mean?5. What was Donovan’s excuse for swimming in the mall fountain?6. To what does Donovan admit in reference to attending the Academy?Chapter 6 - UncreditedVocabularydeadpanned – marked by an impassive matter-of=fact manner, style, or expressionvaunted – highly or widely praised or boasted aboutspelunking – the hobby or practice of exploring cavesconvulsive – violent, sudden, frantic, or spasmodic mirth – gladness as shown by laughterbereft – lacking something needed, wanted, or expecteddissertation – an extended written treatment of a subjectbrandished – to shake or wave menacingly tantalized – to tease or torment as if by presenting something desirable to the view by continually keeping it out of reachprospect – something that is awaited or expectedincredulous – skepticalStudy Questions1. What does Mr. Osborne mean when he says, “a mosquito couldn’t make it through the screening process”?2. What does Donovan do during Robotics that surprises and excites most of his classmates?3. What had Noah never seen before?Chapter 7 - UnrepairedVocabularyevicting – to put a tenant our by legal processunperturbed – not worried, upset, or confusedbestowing – conveying as a giftbewildered – perplexed or confused by a multitude of considerationsStudy Questions1. What was Donovan’s recurring nightmare?2. What was Donovan doing when Mr. Osbourne walked into his classroom?3. How could Katie help the Academy kids?4. What did Donovan do when Katie refused to help?5. Why was Donovan so adamant about Katie helping?Chapter 8 - UnsurprisedVocabularyuncanny – being beyond what is normal or expectedknack – a clever way of doing somethingfever pitch – a state of intense excitement and agitationbrayed – to play loudly or harshlyforlorn – sad and lonely because of isolation or desertionconviction – the process of finding a person guilty of a crimeStudy Questions1. What does Chloe suggest is Donovan’s gift?2. What did Noah ruin for Katie?3. What did Chloe learn while Katie was at the Academy?Chapter 9 - UnfailingVocabularyconundrum – a riddle whose answer is a punpondering – to reflect onrevelation – an act of revealing divine truthenticingly – attracted artfully by arousing hope or desireStudy Questions1. Explain the conundrum in Noah’s wanting out of the Academy.2. What about public schools or “normal” kids made Noah jealous?3. Why was Noah so fascinated with YouTube?4. Give two reasons why Noah didn’t want to go to the school dance.Chapter 9 - UnpasteurizedVocabularyüber – being a superlative example of its kindobstetric – associated with childbirthentourage – one’s attendants or associatesinfectious – capable of causing infectionStudy QuestionsWhy is Katie upset with Donovan?What field trip did Donovan’s class take?Why was Dr. Monolo excited?Chapter 10 - UnsuccessfulVocabularyphantom – something apparent to sense but with no substantial existenceStudy Questions1. What example does Dr. Shultz give for the meaning of insanity?Chapter 11 - Unrockin’Vocabularyhypercompetitive – excessively inclined to competeanxiety – painful or uneasiness of mind bout – an outbreak of activityexhilaration – the act of making cheerful and exciteddrab – a dull, lifeless, or faded appearance or qualitylurked – to lie in wait in a place of concealment especially for an evil purposebrash – done in haste without regard for consequencesimpale – to put in a helpless positionamid – in or into the middle of; surrounded bygyrated – coiled aroundflailing – swinging freelyfurtive – expressive of slynessStudy Questions1. Why was Chloe unsure of whether to wear the sneakers?2. What did Noah wear to the dance?Chapter 12 - UntrustworthyVocabularyomen – an occurrence or phenomenon believed to portend a future eventventuring – undertaking the risks and dangers ofschmoozing – to chat in a friendly and persuasive manner especially so as to gain favorruefully - regretfullymiffed – ill humor; quarreledtrajectory – a path, progression, or line of development Study Questions1. How were the Daniels trying to humiliate Abigail?2. Why did Donovan pretend that Noah wanted to cut in and dance with Abigail?3. What were Donovan and the Daniels arguing about in the bathroom?4. What did Donovan say the gym smelled like?5. What compelled Donovan to halt his escape plan?6. Who pulled the fire alarm?Ch. 13 - UnsorryVocabularydistraught – agitated with doubt or mental conflict or painheisted – stoleStudy Questions1. What was Noah’s invention idea for YouTube?2. Why did Jacey start talking about South America butterfly migrations?3. What was so interesting about riots to Noah?4. How did the robotics team get a new motor for Mr. Tin Man?5. What did Noah suggest the team do to help Donovan stay in the program? How does this support Noah’s overarching desire?Ch. 14 - UntestedVocabularybeseeching – begging for urgently or anxiouslybrutalized – made harsh or cruelStudy Questions1. What did the Daniels make Noah out to be in front on Dierdre and Heather?2. Donovan admits that his friends are the same old Daniels. How has Donovan changed over the course of being at the Academy?3. What happens to Donovan that makes him think about his friendships? How are his friendships different from those at the Academy and the Daniels?Ch. 15 - UnforgivableVocabularybastion – a fortified area or strongholdStudy Questions1. Why was most of the faculty not worried about Donovan’s failing grades?2. What does Ms. Bevelaqua say Donovan is entitled to?Ch. 16 - UnrealVocabularymongrel – a cross between typesanvil – a heavy usually steel-faced iron block on which metal is shapedStudy Questions1. What had been wrong with Beatrice all along?2. How is Katie feeling about Human Growth and Development? What has it become for her?3. What did Donovan tell his sister in the bathroom?Ch. 17 - UnmaskedVocabularyirate – arising from angersquander – to spend extravagantly or foolishlytaunting – sarcastically challenging or insultingStudy Questions1. How did Dr. Shultz find Donovan?Ch. 18 - UnwelcomeVocabularycontender – a competitor for a championship or high honormicrofiche – a sheet of microfilm containing rows of images of printed pageshefted - influencedconsolation – the state of being comfortedpacifist – strongly and actively opposed to conflictStudy Questions1. What was Donovan’s consequence for the Atlas fiasco? 2. What was Donovan’s homecoming at school given by the Daniels?Ch. 19 - UnbelievableVocabularytruancy – an act of staying out of school without permissionjounce – to move in an up-and-down mannerindignant - feeling or showing anger because of something unjust or unworthysnide – false; unworthy of esteemStudy Questions1. What did Chloe do that was so unbelievable?2. Why did Chloe go looking for Donovan?Ch. 20 - UnschooledVocabularywary – marked by keen watchfulness vast – very great in size, amount, degree, or intensityblazoned – published widelyStudy Questions1. How did the Daniels try to cheer up Donovan at school?2. What did the Daniels do to cheer up Donovan off of school campus?3. Why didn’t Donovan make it all the way down to see the team?Ch. 21 - UnseenVocabularyatrocious – extremely wickedpretenses – a claim made or impliedaffably – pleasantly; friendlynimble – quick and light in motioncoax – to persuade by means of gentle urging or flatterygarnered – acquired by effortStudy Questions1. What happened to Noah in the bathroom? What did Mr. Osborne say about “the intimidators”?2. Donovan couldn’t have made Tin Man go any faster, but what did he have that the others didn’t?Ch. 22 - UncontrolledVocabularyexpounded – defended with argumentapex – the uppermost pointpandemonium – a wild uproarStudy Questions1. At what point and for what purpose did Donovan finally go down to see the team?2. Why did Katie come for Donnie?Ch. 23 - UnexpectedVocabularycowed – destroyed the courage of; intimidatedimmaculate – having no stain or blemishfiasco – a complete failureStudy Questions1. What happened to the Academy at the robotics competition?2. How does Chloe hypothesize that Donovan has a different type of giftedness than the rest of the team?3. What was the greatest moment of Noah’s life?Ch. 24 - UnburdenedVocabularyunbecoming – not appropriate to one’s positionStudy Questions1. Who was Abigail jealous of?2. Who hacked into the library computer and helped Donovan cheat on the retest?Ch. 25 - UnchallengedVocabularydistraught – agitated with doubt or mental conflict or painStudy Questions1. Noah says that surprise doesn’t come from Youtube anymore. How does he define it?2 How did Noah get kicked out of the Academy?3. Where does challenge come from, according to Noah?Ch. 26 - UnlitteredVocabularyinfamy – evil reputation brought about by something grossly criminal, shocking, or brutalStudy Questions1. How was Noah able to Skype with Brad?2. What quality of Donovan’s was always getting him in trouble as well as saving his life while he was hiding out at the Academy?Final ThoughtsPlease answer the following questions in complete sentences.1. Did you like the book? Why or why not?2. Would you recommend this book to someone else to read? ................
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