Punishment for Drug Abuse

Vocabulary Focus:

Fierce
Detest
Sneer
Scowl
Encourage
Consider
Wail
Symbol
AuthorityNeutral
muddle
Trifle

You got it! Here are explanations and examples for those words, focusing on their meanings and nuances:

Fierce

Fierce means intense, powerful, and aggressive. It suggests a strong and often intimidating presence or force.

The lion was a fierce predator, capable of taking down large prey.
She had a fierce determination to succeed.
Fierce competition can drive innovation and growth.

Detest

To detest means to hate intensely, to feel strong aversion or disgust towards something or someone. It implies a deep-seated dislike or abhorrence.

He detested violence and injustice.
She detested her ex-husband’s arrogant behavior.
Detestation can be a powerful emotion, driving people to action or avoidance.

Sneer

To sneer means to smile or grin in a way that expresses contempt or scorn. It suggests a mocking or disdainful attitude.

He sneered at her attempts to impress him.
She sneered at the politician’s empty promises.
Sneering is a form of verbal aggression that can be hurtful and disrespectful.

Scowl

To scowl means to frown or wrinkle one’s forehead in anger, displeasure, or concentration. It suggests a serious or unhappy expression.

He scowled at the rude customer.
She scowled in concentration as she worked on the puzzle.
Scowling can be a way of expressing displeasure or annoyance.

Encourage

To encourage means to give someone support or confidence, to inspire someone to do something or to continue doing something.

She encouraged her child to pursue his passion for music.
The coach encouraged the team to play their best.
Encouragement can be a powerful motivator.

Consider

To consider means to think carefully about something, to weigh the pros and cons, or to evaluate a situation.

He considered all the options before making a decision.
She considered the implications of her actions.
Considering all aspects of a situation is essential for making informed choices.

Wail

To wail means to cry out loudly, often in grief or pain. It suggests a mournful or intense cry.

She wailed in despair after the news of her father’s death.
The siren wailed in the night, signaling danger.
Wailing is often an expression of intense emotion.

Symbol

A symbol is a thing that represents or stands for something else, an object, image, or word that carries a deeper meaning or significance.

The dove is a symbol of peace.
The heart is a symbol of love.
Symbols can be powerful in conveying ideas, emotions, or beliefs.

AuthorityNeutral

This phrase is not a word. Please clarify what you’d like to know about.

Muddle

To muddle means to make something confused or unclear, to mix things up or jumble them together. It can also refer to a state of confusion or bewilderment.

He muddled his words, making it difficult to understand him.
She was in a muddle after the accident, feeling disoriented.
Muddling can be a result of carelessness, confusion, or a lack of clarity.

Trifle

A trifle is something of little importance or value, a minor matter. It can also mean to treat something lightly or without seriousness.

She dismissed his concerns as a trifle.
The argument was a trifle, not worth getting upset over.
Trifling can be a way of minimizing or downplaying something.

A recent attempt by New Jersey’s attorney general to lessen the penalties for the use of marijuana has caused fierce arguments around the country. Those who detest the drug users sneer and scowl at the light treatment of offenders. They reject the attorney general’s recommendation as lacking a morsel* of sense, claiming it would only encourage more drug abuse. They consider the drug addict much like vermin that must be stamped out. Such citizens continually wail for stiffer penalties. Those favoring a milder approach to the drug problem point to the poor results of prison terms. They feel addicts should be given medical help. Also, in enforcing harsh drug laws, police tend to be viewed as a symbol of unwelcome authority. The problem demands a solution. We cannot remain neutral or unconcerned, nor can we afford to muddle through with ineffective measures, for this is not a trifling matter.

Fierce: Buas, ganas, garang
Detest: Membenci, tidak suka, sangat tidak menyukai
Sneer: Tertawa sinis, menyeringai, mencibir
Scowl: Mengernyitkan dahi, mengerutkan kening, menatap dengan marah
Encourage: Mendorong, menguatkan, memberi semangat
Consider: Mempertimbangkan, memikirkan, menganggap
Vermin: Hewan pengganggu, hama, binatang liar
Wail: Meratap, menangis, menjerit
Symbol: Simbol, lambang, tanda
Authority: Wewenang, kekuasaan, otoritas
Neutral: Netral, tidak memihak, tidak berpihak
muddle: kebingungan, kacau
Trifle: Hal sepele, sesuatu yang tidak penting, main-main.

The Fierce Symbol

It was a trifling matter. A small disagreement over a parking spot. But it escalated into a fierce confrontation between two drivers who detested each other. One of them, a burly man with a scowl on his face, got out of his car and approached the other, a slender woman with a sneer on her lips. He shouted at her, waving his fist in the air. She shouted back, pointing her finger at him. They exchanged insults and threats, oblivious to the crowd that had gathered around them.

Among the spectators, there was a young boy who watched the scene with curiosity and fear. He had never seen such anger and violence before. He wondered what would happen next. Would they fight? Would someone get hurt? Would the police come? He felt a tug on his sleeve and turned to see his mother, who had been trying to encourage him to leave. She looked worried and scared. She told him that they had to go, that this was not a place for them. She said that those people were bad and that they had no respect for the law or each other. She said that they were a symbol of everything that was wrong with the world.

The boy nodded, but he did not move. He wanted to stay and watch. He wanted to understand. He wanted to consider why they were so angry, why they hated each other so much, and why they could not resolve their conflict peacefully. He wanted to know if there was a way to help them, to make them stop, to make them see reason. He wanted to know if he had any authority over them if he could make a difference.

He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could say anything, he heard a loud wail from behind him. He turned around and saw a car speeding towards them, out of control. It crashed into the parked cars, sending them flying in all directions. The boy saw the two drivers fall to the ground, covered in blood and debris. He saw his mother scream and run towards him. He saw the crowd panic and scatter. He saw the chaos and the horror.

He felt a muddle in his head and a pain in his chest. He closed his eyes and wished it was all a dream.