Running Out of Time

Vocabulary Chapters 13 – 16RL 5.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in text.

pungent

Determine the meaning of the following word: “There were two loaves of bread – firm

and pungent, not like that squishy stuff in the truck. That was something else weird about the bread truck, Jessie realized: The bread had had no smell.”

What text clues helped you? pungent – sharp or harsh to the sense of

taste or smell

finicky

“With so many banks failing, Mr. Seward was getting finicky about what money he would accept at the store.”

finicky– hard to please; fussy What is a food that you are finicky

about? Turn and talk to your neighbor.

barter

“Most people in Clifton used coins or barter anyway.”

Have any of you heard this word before?

barter–to trade one thing for another without the use of money

What is something that you have bartered? Turn and talk.

sarcastic

“The man’s voice was sarcastic.” Have you heard this word before? sarcastic– containing language with

harsh, bitter, or cutting remarks Say “Really?” to your neighbor in a

sarcastic tone.

wary

“Ma had warned Jessie to be wary of all strangers, not just Clifton’s guards.”

What word helps you determine the meaning?

wary– very cautious; careful

pretentious

“Then he’d ask in his dry pretentious voice, ‘Do you have your parents’ permission to spend this?’ ”

How does this help you determine the word’s meaning?

pretentious–trying to appear more important than is the case

traction

“That was really why I walked over here, not to put you in traction. You are all right, aren’t you?”

Can you infer what traction means from the rest of the text?

traction– a pulling force applied to a broken bone by a special device

stammered

“ ‘Y-yes,’ Jessie stammered, clutching the note.”

What is the meaning of the word? stammered– to speak or utter with

involuntary stops and much repeating

Say something to your neighbor in a stammering way.

tantalizing

“ She found herself in a large room full of tables and chairs and the tantalizing smell of cooked chicken.”

Was the smell good (thumbs up) or bad (thumbs down)?

How do you know? What does tantalizing mean? tantalizing– teasing or tormenting

huddled

“She huddled against the wall for a long time before she got the nerve to walk over to a long silver counter.”

How is Jessie feeling? What would it look like to huddle

against the wall? huddled– crowded, pushed, or piled

together