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Word for Wednesday: Tantalise

Our Word for Wednesday theme for June is words that derive from Greek mythology. So far we’ve looked at the words atlas, chaos, mentor, and narcissist; our final word for June is tantalise. If you tantalise someone, it means you torment or tease them with something they want but can’t get.  Here is tantalise used in some example sentences: The blue skies tantalised us, but it was still very cold outside.  She held the treat just out of reach to tantalise the puppy before finally giving it to him. We were tantalised by the computer in the shop window but we knew we couldn’t afford it. The word gets its name from Tantalus who, as ...

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Word for Wednesday: Narcissist

Our Word for Wednesday theme for June is words that derive from Greek mythology. Over the last few weeks, we’ve looked at the words atlas, chaos, and mentor. Today’s word is narcissist. A narcissist is someone who has an exceptional interest in or admiration for themself. Here is narcissist used in some example sentences: If you are a narcissist, it means you are self-centred. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is about a narcissistic young man. Could you stop being such a narcissist and talk about someone except yourself? The word is named for Narcissus who, known for his arrogance, was tempted to a pool by the spirit Nemesis. There he fel...

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Word for Wednesday: Mentor

Our Word for Wednesday theme for June is words that derive from Greek mythology. So far, we’ve looked at the words atlas and chaos. Today’s word is mentor. A mentor is a wise and trusted guide and advisor who may serve as a teacher or counsellor. Here is mentor used in some example sentences: Yoda is Luke Skywalker’s Jedi mentor.  She mentored young artists in her free time.  I am looking for a mentor to learn from as I grow my business. In Greek mythology, Mentor was the advisor to Telemachus (the son of Odysseus and Penelope who are the central characters in Homer’s Odyssey).  In many versions of the myth, the goddess Athena ...

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Twenty English Words from Greek Mythology: Part 2

Click here for part one. Mentor Definition: Noun 1: a wise and trusted guide and advisor Verb 1: serve as a teacher or trusted counsellor Mentor was the advisor to Telemachus (the son of Odysseus and Penelope – the central characters in Homer’s Odyssey). In many versions of the myth, the goddess Athena disguised herself as Mentor and convinced Telemachus to stand up to his mother’s suitors and search for his missing father who had not returned from the Trojan War. Morphine Definition: Noun 1: an alkaloid narcotic drug extracted from opium; a powerful, habit-forming narcotic used to relieve pain Remember Morpheus, the god of dreams, from...

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One of the students has put in a huge amount of effort in completing Spellzone at least 3 times a week since his arrival with us in January. Looking at his scores after the latest GL testing, his standardised score has risen from 99 to 131. This is a truly phenomenal result. I just wanted to share the best result I have ever seen.

Terrie Penrose-Toms, Casterton College

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