SAT Vocab - Fun and Easy Method to Memorize

A Mystery - SAT Vocab Set #2

My dad left the shop a little earlier today claiming that he had work to do. My father did this often so I was used to running the shop alone. It was, I suppose, my responsibility when I was not busy with school. There wasn't much to do in a diminutive town; this was merely a daily routine in my lonely typical life.

Today, however, my dad gave me permission to abridge the hours the shop was open so I can go home early. Intermittently, I would check the continuously ticking clock while reading a book or something similar to that. I always feel alacrity to go home and spend time with my affable father. It was the always the best part of my day.

As I waited, the door opened and someone walked in through it. This always made me ebullient because everyone from this negligible town was always gregarious. But this man was not someone I had recognized. I watched him as he made his actions. He circumspectly looked through the store as if it was his first time there. When he found what he seemed to be looking for, he accosted me.

I rarely had to deal with strangers because I was already familiar with almost everyone who would find it necessary to come here. I grew uneasy as I saw a new face.

"Hello," the stranger said, smiling.

I stared at him cynically, "Hi."

"You work here?" he asked.

"Yes," I then realized that I was being wary for no reason and formed a fake smile on my face and tried to be amiable, "It's my dad's shop. I just help."

He pushed over the least exorbitant and most extraneous item in our shop. "I see," he said, "He's not around?"

I became prudent again. That was a strange question, but I answered while ringing the item into the cash-register, "No, not today." Then I told him the price.

He pulled out his wallet and handed me cash, "Oh," he smiled, "I wonder how he found it fit to leave a pretty girl alone."

I felt very uncomfortable again and said vigilantly, "He doesn't do this often." That was a lie. I gave him his purchase back and he left.

"Bye, Beautiful." And he walked out of the door.

That was very strange. No one has ever talked to me like that before. It made me feel uneasy. Either way, he was just a man who just needed to purchase something. There was no reason to be so callous towards him.
I glanced at the clock. Finally!!

I turned off the lights and locked the doors.

(to be continued)..

Diminutive - adj. tiny, small, little
abridge - v. Shorten, condense
Intermittently - adj. Sporadically, fragmentary
alacrity - n. eagerness, enthusiasm
affable - adj. friendly, genial, sociable
ebullient - adj. enthusiastic, excited, cheerful
negligible - adj. Insignificant, small, trivial
gregarious - adj. friendly, outgoing, sociable
circumspect - adj. Careful, cautious, prudent
accost - v. approach aggressively, confront
cynical - adj. pessimistic, distrustful
wary - adj. careful, cautious, suspicious
amiable - adj. friendly, amicable, sociable
exorbitant - adj. excessive, very expensive
extraneous - adj. unnecessary, irrelevant
prudent - adj. Careful, cautious, sensible
vigilant - adj. watchful, alert, attentive
callous- adj. insensitive, heartless

Interviewing Tips - Get That Job!!

We all need to learn how to be on our own. Having a job gives an opportunity to show good responsibility. (Either way, you don't want to live under your parents roof forever!!) However, giving answers in pressure while being stared down at by people is, in fact, difficult if you're doing it for the first time. For this reason, I have collected some helpful tips for you to get that job!!

Before anything, I would like to give a brief introduction to what an interview is. Of course, you would think it to be meeting a person and answering their question. This sounds simple. Now think of it this way: an interview is a highly focused professional conversation. You have a limited amount of time to show the employer that you have the skills, background, and ability to do the job. Your goal is to impress the employer by showing your personality, confidence, enthusiasm, positive outlook, and excellent interpersonal and communication skills. After all, first impressions last the longest, right? But don't worry, interviewing is a skill that improves and becomes easier with practice.

Research - 

First of all, make sure you know about the job you are striving for. Let's your mother told you to go to the grocery store and told you to buy it for $5. How can you by 'it' without knowing what is?! In the same way, you cannot give an interview without knowing what 'skills' your employer is looking for. Knowing about the job will help you prepare a list of your qualifications you need to show. One way you can do this is request printed materials from the employer, such as annual reports and job descriptions. Don't hesitate to do this, it's totally okay!!

Practice Makes Perfect!! -

Yes, you may be thinking, practice an interview? It sounds lame, I believe you. But now believe me: while sitting in a room alone with one, two, or maybe even three to five employers waiting for your answer, you will feel much better if you have prepared for the interview. 

These are some common questions you will be asked:

1) Tell me about yourself.

2) What made you want this job?

3) Give a past experience....

4) What are your strengths?

You can research more questions. This was just to give you an idea of what the basis of the questions are like. 

Now that you have an idea about the questions, practice answering with a friend, or in front of a mirror. Avoid colloquialisms, such as "like" and "you know."

Be Prompt and Professional - 

Like I stated before: First impressions last the longest. 

Make sure you arrive 5 - 10 minutes early. Wear a professional business suit. Women should avoid wearing too much jewelry or make up; men should avoid flashy suits or wearing too much cologne. And most importantly avoid wearing a frown. Always smile: People enjoy working with other happy people!!

Know Yourself -

The best way to make the interview easy is to know yourself. You will be asked to tell about yourself more than anything. Make sure you are honest, but don't make yourself look negative. If you have to say anything negative about yourself, cover it back up with a hopeful phrase reassuring the employer that the situation can be improved. However, NEVER say anything negative about past experiences, employers, or courses and professors. Try to be enthusiastic.

Show Your Interest - 

This is where the research comes in hand!! Demonstrate that you have an idea about what the job is about. You want to prepare a few questions about the job, the organization, and its services and products. Asking questions is the best way to impress the interviewer. 

Write a Thank You Note -

You should write a thank you note within 48 hours after the interview. It is important to say thank you for the time the interviewer spent with you whether or not you are interested in the position. Always do this even if you thought that the interviewer was not productive.