TEARS OF A TIGER VOCABULARY WORDS

 While Tears of a Tiger is not a particulary difficult read with hard vocabulary words, there are many words important to the story.  The following words are important in the reading, and examples of the word used in a sentence follow the definition.

TRIPPIN'- to be out of your mind (urbandictionary.com)

            Tears of a Tiger is a book centered around mostly African-American high school students.  "Trippin'" is significant to the story because it reflects the slang usage in everyday African-American culture.

                                 "Man, you are trippin,' I can't believe you think I was slacking at the game."

DEPRESSED- to be low in spirits (merriam-webster.com)

           The main character in Tears of a Tiger, Andy, is severely depressed after the accident that kills his best friend, Rob.  "Depressed" is significant to the story because it is an emotion that is dealt with throughout the text.

                                "I am so sad all the time.  I think I may be depressed."

CYNICAL- having or showing the attitude or temper of a cynic; deeply distrustful (merriam-webster.com)

           Andy becomes very cynical after the death of Rob.  He looks at the bad in everything and is pessimistic in his attitudes.  "Cynical" is significant to the story because it shows how depressed people can lose their upbeat and positive attitudes.

                                 "Bob does not see the good in anything anymore.  I hate his cynical attitude."

PSYCHOLOGIST-  one who studies the science of mind and behavior (merriam-webster.com)

          Because of Andy's depression after the accident, he is sent to a psychologist to talk about the issues he is having.  "Psychologist" is significant to the story because it introduces a professional that teens can see if they are feeling down about their lives.

                                "Tina was sent to a psychologist because she was beginning to think about suicide."

SUICIDE- the act or an instance of taking one's own life voluntarily and intentionally especially by a person of years of discretion and of sound mind (merriam-webster.com)

           Andy's depression led to thoughts of suicide and a suicide prevention counselor coming into the school.  "Suicide" is significant to the story because many teens deal with thoughts as serious as killing themselves.

                                "I don't know why Keith would have killed himself.  Nothing is worth committing suicide."