Vocabulary: A Cobra in the Garden

Read the dictionary entry below.

for/tu/nate (adj)

1.favorable

2. wealthy

3. lucky

Which definition best matches the way the word fortunate is used in paragraph 2?

My home was at the edge of a forest, and I was fortunate to have many wild animals visit my backyard.

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• None of the above

Which definition matches the meaning of clutch as it is used in paragraph 6?

clutch /clutch/v

1.grip

2.a group of eggs

3.a mechanism for connecting and disconnecting a vehicle engine from its transmission system

During the first week in our home, I found a clutch of leathery eggs crumpled and empty in a bed of soft dirt under the bamboo grove.

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• All of the above

Read the dictionary entry for glisten.

/glisten/v

1.to blink

2. to shine or glitter

3.colorful material

Which definition matches the meaning of glisten as it is used in paragraph 9?

It glistened in the sun and was startling against the green grass.

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• All of the above.

Read the dictionary entry.

/haste/n

1.supersonic rate

2. speed or hurry, often made with urgency

3. hasty decision

Which definition best matches the way the word haste is used in paragraph 10?

In its haste, the cobra bumped against a stone.

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• None of the above

Read the entry for infamous.

in/fa/mous/ adj

1.well known for some bad quality

2. disgraceful

3. dirty

Which definition matches the meaning of infamous as it is used in paragraph 10?

It raised its head and for one moment spread its infamous hood.

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• All of the above.

Read the dictionary entry.

ve/ran/da/ (adj)

1.platform

2. level with ground floor

3. a roofed porch

Which definition best matches the way the word veranda is used in paragraph 12?

We had just finished eating, and a few of us were sitting on the veranda when one of the guests saw the cobra.

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• None of the above

Read the dictionary entry for majestic.

ma/jes/tic (adj)

1.splendid

2.having or showing impressive beauty or dignity

3.grand

Which definition matches the meaning of majestic as it is used in paragraph 15?

As soon as it seemed we were losing interest, she slinked majestically along the branches toward an oil-balm tree, whose fronds extended close by.

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• All of the above

Read the dictionary entry.

awe/ (n)

1.feeling of respect and wonder

2. terror

3.honor

Which definition best matches the way the word awe is used in paragraph 16?

We were awed by her beauty.

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• None of the above

Read the dictionary entry for kernel.

/kernel/ (n)

1.core

2. essential

3. the edible seeds from the fruit produced by the oil- palm tree

Which definition matches the meaning of the word kernel as it is used in paragraph 19?

Its nutty palm kernels are a rich source of food for mice and squirrels, and therefore the tree was a great place for a cobra; small mammals are the cobra's favorite meal.

• Definiton 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• All of the above