A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park

A Long Walk
to Water

by Linda Sue Park (Vocabulary in Focused)

Learning Objective

I can expand my vocabulary by exploring and understanding the meanings of the words "veer," "hesitate," "collapse," "scurry," and "shoulder" within the context of the historical novel "A Long Walk to Water" by Linda Sue Park.

As the storm approached, the ship veered off its course to avoid the turbulent waters.

Sentence

To change direction suddenly or swerve.

Meaning

veered (verb)

Multiple Choice

What does the word "veered" mean?

• To fall down suddenly.

• To change direction suddenly or swerve.

• To move quickly with short, hurried steps.

• To carry a burden on one's shoulders.

Sarah hesitated before entering the mysterious cave, unsure of what she might find inside.

Sentence

To pause or be uncertain before taking action or making a decision.

Meaning

hesitated (verb)

Multiple Choice

In the sentence, "Sarah hesitated before entering the mysterious cave, unsure of what she might find inside," what does "hesitated" mean?

• Paused or was uncertain before taking action.

• Moved quickly.

• Collapsed suddenly.

• Carried a burden.

The old building, weakened by years of neglect, was collapsing under its own weight.

Sentence

To fall down or give way suddenly due to pressure, stress, or a lack of support.

Meaning

collapsing (verb)

Multiple Choice

How would you define the term "collapsing"?

• To carry a load on one's shoulders.

• To fall down suddenly or give way due to pressure.

• To move quickly in a timid manner.

• To change direction suddenly.

The mice scurried across the kitchen floor, seeking shelter as the cat approached.

Sentence

To move quickly with short, hurried steps, often in a timid or nervous manner.

Meaning

scurried (verb)

Multiple Choice

If someone is described as "scurrying," what are they doing?

• Carrying a burden on their shoulders.

• Falling down suddenly.

• Moving quickly with short, hurried steps.

• Changing direction suddenly.

Despite the heavy rain, John shouldered his backpack and continued hiking through the muddy trail.

Sentence

To carry a burden or load on one's shoulders; to take responsibility for something.

Meaning

shouldered (verb)

Multiple Choice

What does the word "shouldered" mean in the sentence, "Despite the heavy rain, John shouldered his backpack and continued hiking through the muddy trail"?

• Falling down suddenly.

• Changing direction suddenly.

• Moving quickly in a timid manner.

• Carrying a burden on one's shoulders.

Practice!

Using the sentences or paragraphs from the novel, A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, let's analyze how these sentences or paragraphs provide context for vocabulary words, demonstrating their meanings in different situations while doing her assigned task.

Multiple Choice

Salva turned and looked. Behind him, a huge black cloud of smoke rose. Flames darted out of its base. Overhead, a jet plane veered away like a sleek evil bird.

In the sentence, "Overhead, a jet plane veered away like a sleek evil bird," what does the word "veered" mean?

• The plane soared smoothly.

• The plane changed direction suddenly.

• The plane circled above.

• The plane hovered in place.

Multiple Choice

Salva hesitated for a moment. He was only eleven, but he was the son of an important family. He was Salva Mawien Dut Ariik, from the village named for his grandfather. His father always told him to act like a man—to follow the example of his older brothers and, in turn, set a good example for Kuol.

According to the paragraph, why did Salva hesitate?

• He was uncertain about his family background.

• He was unsure of how to act like a man.

• He was only eleven years old.

• He was considering collapsing in terror.

Multiple Choice

In the sentence, "Somehow, this thought strengthened him enough to keep him from collapsing in terror," what does the word "collapsing" mean?

• Standing firm.

• Falling down.

• Giving in.

• Growing stronger.

Multiple Choice

What does the word "scurried" imply in the sentence, "Salva scurried over to the women’s side"?

• Salva ran quickly.

• Salva walked slowly.

• Salva hesitated.

• Salva collapsed.

Multiple Choice

How is the word "shouldered" used in the sentence, "The men shouldered the heavy equipment and left the camp"?

• The men walked away slowly.

• The men carried the heavy equipment on their shoulders.

• The men hesitated before leaving.

• The men veered away from the camp.