The View from Saturday: Chapters 1–2

by E.L. Konigsburg
In this novel, the members of Mrs. Olinski's champion Academic Bowl team reveal the secrets behind their unexpected success.

This list covers chapters 1–2.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5

Here are links to our lists for other books by E. L. Konigsburg: From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, Silent to the Bone
15 words 1013 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. brawn
    the trait of possessing muscular strength
    They were reminded that this Bowl was for brains, not brawn, and decorum—something between chapel and classroom—was the order of the day.
  2. decorum
    propriety in manners and conduct
    They were reminded that this Bowl was for brains, not brawn, and decorum—something between chapel and classroom—was the order of the day.
  3. lectern
    desk or stand with a slanted top used to hold a text
    At a lectern between them stood the commissioner of education of the state of New York.
  4. commissioner
    a government administrator
    At a lectern between them stood the commissioner of education of the state of New York.
  5. derive
    come from
    He withdrew a piece of paper, unfolded it, and read, "What is the meaning of the word calligraphy and from what language does it derive?"
  6. nitpick
    be overly critical; criticize minor details
    Mother then made a remark about how Western Civilization was in a decline because people of my generation knew how to nitpick but not how to write a B & B letter.
  7. corsage
    an arrangement of flowers that is usually given as a present
    Mr. Cantor, a retired postman from Pennsylvania, who was devoted to growing orchids, said that he would have enough blossoms for the corsages.
  8. domicile
    housing that someone is living in
    Fact: Many of the domiciles in Century Village do not have family rooms with desks.
  9. ironic
    displaying incongruity between what is expected and what is
    Allen Diamondstein kept saying, "Isn't it ironic? My father is getting married just as I am getting divorced."
  10. superstitious
    showing faith in magic and ignorance of the laws of nature
    I did not tell Izzy what had happened to the couple on top of the wedding cake because people get very superstitious at weddings and no one wants a wounded bride and groom sitting on top of the cake with which they are to start a happy marriage.
  11. dirigible
    a steerable self-propelled aircraft
    I sucked in my breath until my lungs felt like twin dirigibles inside my ribs.
  12. multiculturalism
    the doctrine that different peoples can coexist peacefully
    Dr. Rohmer had announced that he had just completed a three-day workshop on multiculturalism for ed-you-kay-toars.
  13. diversity
    noticeable variety
    “In the interest of diversity," she said, "I chose a brunette, a redhead, a blond, and a kid with hair as black as print on paper."
  14. cherub
    an angel portrayed as a winged child
    Nadia was the redhead of Mrs. Olinski's diverse group.
    Had she been born five hundred years sooner, Raphael would have chosen her as a model for his cherubs.
  15. abundance
    the property of a more than adequate quantity or supply
    Lowering his eyes, he read, "What is the name given to that portion of the North Atlantic Ocean that is noted for its abundance of seaweed, and what is its importance to the ecology of our planet?"
Created on Mon Apr 29 20:06:00 EDT 2019 (updated Wed Aug 06 13:58:35 EDT 2025)

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