Vocabulary Study for Oryx and Crake

Questions and Answers

What does the word 'Ersatz' mean?

A herbaceous plant

A dull or formal teacher

A place of oblivion to care

An artificial and inferior substitute (correct)

What is a 'Talisman'?

An object held to bring good fortune

What is 'Flotsam'?

Floating debris

What does 'Pedagogue' refer to?

A dull or formal teacher Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Abominable' mean?

Worthy of or causing hatred or disgust Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Wolvog'?

Wolf and dog mix Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Pigoon'?

Pig with human organs Signup and view all the answers

What are 'Spangles'?

Shiny/sparkly objects Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Bio print' refer to?

3-D printing of biological tissue/organs Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Genographer'?

Outlines history of the behaviour patterns of families over generations Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Nirvana' mean?

A place/state of oblivion to care, pain or external reality Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Mesozoic'?

Million years ago dinosaur time Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Atrophying' mean?

Wasting away of the body Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Cistern'?

A tank storing water Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Neo-con' refer to?

Person with neo conservative views Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Maxim'?

General truth, fundamental principle or rule of conduct Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Pastiche'?

Artistic, musical etc work that imitates the style of previous work Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Placid' mean?

A person not easily upset or excited Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Hemorrhagic'?

Produced by a hemorrhage Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'Neocortex'?

Part of brain controls sight and hearing Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Sacrilegious' mean?

Violation of what is religious Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Lassitude' refer to?

A condition of weariness, physical and mental weakness Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Drone' in the context of sound?

Low humming noise Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Cosmology' study?

Study of the universe Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Truncheon'?

A short stick carried as a weapon Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Mantra'?

Sound repeated to aid in concentration Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Jabbering' mean?

Talking rapidly with little sense Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Capering' mean?

Leap or dancing around Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Queue' refer to?

A sequence or line Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Status Quo'?

Existing state of affairs regarding social or political issues Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Vetch'?

A herbaceous plant Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Hallow' mean?

A saint or holy person Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Indigenous' refer to?

Native to a specific area Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Chaos' mean?

Complete disorder/confusion/madness Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Deification'?

The act of worshiping someone or something as a god Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Dogma' refer to?

Rule based on morals Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Verdant' mean?

Rich green, vegetation Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Vestigial' mean?

Trace of something that is no longer there (city) Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Carboniferous' refer to?

Producing or containing carbon or coal Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Filigree'?

Fine piece of gold, silver or copper Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Hymenoptera'?

Specialized insect Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Avuncular' refer to?

Relating to an uncle Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Apprenticeship'?

The position of an apprentice Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Sleuthing' mean?

A search or investigation Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Pixie'?

Supernatural being in kids books Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Vertigo' mean?

Loss of balance, dizzy Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Gibbered' mean?

Talking fast when nervous, scared Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Repining' mean?

To feel discontent Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Erudite' mean?

Having knowledge by studying Signup and view all the answers

What is an 'Arboretum'?

Garden devoted to trees Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Leper'?

A person suffering from being rejected or avoided Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Leitmotif' mean?

Recurrent theme throughout artwork associated with a specific person or situation Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Affable' mean?

Friendly, good natured, easy to talk to Signup and view all the answers

What are 'Caecotrophs'?

Pellet of food produced by digestion and expulsion through anus Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Euphemism' mean?

Polite way of saying a word, less harsh Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Vexation' mean?

Act of harassing or being annoyed Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Coterie'?

Small group with shared interests Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Feral' mean?

Wild animal Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Unrequited' mean?

Feelings not being returned Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Bereft' mean?

Lacking of something Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Tumescent' mean?

Becoming swollen Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'Satyr'?

Man with horse body Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Blysspass'?

A pill made by Crake to make Crakers Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Vocabulary Study Notes for "Oryx and Crake"

Ersatz: Refers to an artificial substitute, often perceived as inferior. Commonly used to describe products that mimic something genuine but lack quality.
Talisman: An object that is believed to bring good luck or fortune, often imbued with personal or cultural significance.
Flotsam: Debris found floating on water, typically resulting from shipwrecks or other disturbances in bodies of water.
Pedagogue: Describes a teacher, especially one who is dull or overly formal in their approach to education.
Abominable: Characterizes something that incites hatred or disgust, often reflecting moral outrage.
Wolvog: A hybrid creature, specifically a mix between a wolf and a dog, representing themes of genetic manipulation in the narrative.
Pigoon: A genetically engineered pig designed to have human organs, showcasing advancements in biotechnology and ethical dilemmas.
Spangles: Shiny, decorative objects often used in fashion or art for visual appeal, representing superficiality or glamour.
Bio print: Technology involving the 3-D printing of biological tissues or organs, highlighting futuristic medical innovations.
Genographer: A term for someone who studies and outlines familial behavioral patterns over generations, linking personal history to broader societal trends.
Nirvana: A conceptual state of ultimate peace, free from care, pain, or the harsh realities of life, often considered a spiritual ideal.
Mesozoic: Refers to the era of dinosaurs, emphasizing a specific geological period over millions of years and its significance in Earth's history.
Atrophying: The process of wasting away of body tissues, commonly associated with disuse or disease.
Cistern: A storage tank specifically used for holding water, important for discussing themes of sustainability and resource management.
Neo-con: Abbreviation for neoconservative, indicating a political ideology characterized by a specific set of beliefs regarding governance and society.
Maxim: A succinct expression of a general truth or principle, often serving as a rule of conduct.
Pastiche: An artistic work that imitates the style of previous works, reflecting influences and honoring predecessors.
Placid: A descriptor for a person who remains calm and is not easily excited or disturbed, suggesting stability in character.
Hemorrhagic: Pertains to conditions or occurrences related to hemorrhage, often indicative of serious medical issues.
Neocortex: A brain region involved in higher-order functions such as sight and hearing, relevant for discussions on cognition and evolution.
Sacrilegious: Relates to acts considered irreverent or disrespectful toward sacred things, often invoking moral implications.
Lassitude: A state of physical or mental weariness, symbolizing fatigue or exhaustion, both psychologically and physically.
Drone: Describes a low, continuous humming sound, often used metaphorically in discussions of monotony or persistence.
Cosmology: The scientific study of the universe's origins, structure, and evolution, addressing fundamental questions of existence.
Truncheon: A short stick or club used as a weapon, often in the context of law enforcement or civil unrest.
Mantra: A repeated sound or phrase used as a tool for meditation or concentration, emphasizing the importance of mental focus.
Jabbering: Rapid, unclear speech often characterized by a lack of sense, typically associated with nervousness or excitement.
Capering: Energetic or playful movements like dancing or leaping, evoking feelings of joy or freedom.
Queue: Represents a line or sequence of individuals waiting for their turn, commonly associated with order and organization.
Status Quo: Represents the existing state of affairs, particularly in social or political contexts, highlighting issues of stability versus change.
Vetch: A type of herbaceous plant, often related to agriculture and discussions on biodiversity.
Hallow: Refers to a saint or holy figure, linking to themes of reverence and spirituality.
Indigenous: Describes species or peoples native to a particular area, emphasizing cultural identity and environmental conservation.
Chaos: Signifies a state of complete disorder or confusion, frequently depicted in dystopian narratives.
Deification: The act of elevating someone to divine status, raising questions about power and reverence.
Dogma: A set of principles or beliefs strongly held, often resisting critical scrutiny, essential in discussions of ideology.
Verdant: Symbolizes lush, green vegetation, evoking images of nature and vitality.
Vestigial: Refers to remnants of something that once was, often seen in discussions of evolution and change.
Carboniferous: Indicates a geological period known for coal deposits and abundant plant life, pivotal in understanding Earth's carbon cycle.
Filigree: Delicate ornamental work, often made of fine metal threads, representing artistry and craftsmanship.
Hymenoptera: A specialized order of insects, often significant in studies of ecology and evolution.
Avuncular: Relates to characteristics associated with an uncle, typically suggesting kindness and benevolence.
Apprenticeship: A training position under a skilled worker, crucial for discussions on mastery and career development.
Sleuthing: The act of searching or investigating, often associated with detective work or problem-solving.
Pixie: A mythical creature often featured in children's literature, symbolizing whimsy and fantasy.
Vertigo: A sensation of dizziness, often accompanied by loss of balance, commonly affecting both physical and psychological states.
Gibbered: Fast, nervous speech, reflecting anxiety or fear, relevant in character development.
Repining: Expresses feelings of discontent or yearning for something lost, highlighting emotional struggles.
Erudite: Describes a person possessing extensive knowledge gained through study, often valued in academic contexts.
Arboretum: A botanical garden dedicated to trees, important for conservation and education about biodiversity.
Leper: An individual who experiences social rejection or avoidance, often used metaphorically for isolation.
Leitmotif: A recurring theme associated with a person or situation in art, literature, or music, emphasizing continuity.
Affable: Characterizes a person who is friendly and easy to communicate with, fostering positive social interactions.
Caecotrophs: Specialized pellets produced during digestion, relevant in studies of animal biology and nutrition.
Euphemism: A polite or mild expression used to replace a harsher term, important in discussions about language sensitivity.
Vexation: The state of being annoyed or harassed, often highlighting interpersonal conflicts.
Coterie: A small group of individuals with shared interests, often fostering collaboration and innovation.
Feral: Pertains to wild animals, contrasting domestic life with nature's untamed aspects.
Unrequited: Describes feelings of love or affection that are not reciprocated, central to themes of longing.
Bereft: Indicates a lack or loss of something valuable, often evoking themes of grief or absence.
Tumescent: Describes the state of becoming swollen, often used in medical or physiological contexts.
Satyr: A mythological creature depicted as part man, part horse, reflecting themes of nature, instinct, and chaos.
Blisspass: A pill created by Crake to induce pleasant states in others, pertinent to discussions of bioethics and societal control.

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Description

Test your knowledge of vocabulary from Margaret Atwood's 'Oryx and Crake'. This quiz focuses on key terms and their meanings, enhancing your understanding of the novel's themes and concepts. Perfect for literature enthusiasts and students alike!