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Vocabulary
Vocabulary II
Two Kinds
Rules of the Game
Mixed
100
yellow-orange color
saffron (n.)
100
seriously and formally, without humor
solemnly (adv.)
100
What made Jing-mei’s mother think that Jing-mei could be a prodigy?
She thought anyone could be anything they wanted to be in America.
100
What was “the art of invisible strength” that Waverly’s mother taught her?
It was a strategy for winning arguments and gaining respect from others.
200
escaped the understanding
eluded (v.)
200
a person sent by a church into an area to spread its religious beliefs
missionary (n.)
200
What did Jing-mei’s mother lose in China?
She lost her mother and father, her family home, her first husband, and her twin baby daughters.
200
How did Waverly’s mother demonstrate the art of invisible strength to Waverly?
She gave Waverly a gift of salted plums precisely because she kept quiet and didn’t request them.
200
What piece did Jing-mei select for the talent show in the church hall?
The piece was called “Pleading Child.”
300
people or forces that oppose or attack; enemies
adversaries (n.)
300
having an unpleasant or offensive odor; smelling bad
malodorous (adj.)
300
How did Jing-mei first envision herself as a prodigy?
She envisioned herself as a dainty ballerina, the Christ child, or Cinderella.
300
How did Waverly learn to play expert chess?
In the beginning she taught herself and then she played with Lau Po.
300
What did Jing-mei realize after she had played both “Pleading Child” and “Perfectly Contented” a few times?
She realized that the two pieces were two halves of the same song.
400
any object valued for being unusual
curio (n.)
400
flat fish found along the Pacific coast
sanddabs (n.)
400
What happened to all of Jing-mei’s mother’s early efforts to find out what kind of prodigy Jing-mei should be?
They failed totally.
400
What would Waverly’s mother say when she attended Waverly’s chess exhibition games outdoors?
Waverly’s mother would say, “Is luck.”
400
What was Waverly’s mother’s view of “rules”?
She believed that people from foreign countries must learn the American “rules.”
500
a cave-like structure
grotto (n.)
500
characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings
benevolently (adv.)
500
What was wrong with Jing-mei’s piano teacher and how did his defect affect her playing?
He was deaf and therefore could not tell whether Jing-mei was playing well or not.
500
Why did Waverly run away?
Because her mother was embarrassing her and showing off
500
How did Waverly’s mother treat her when she returned home after running away?
Her mother treated her as though she didn’t exist.