Born Worker Vocabulary

They said that José was born with a ring of dirt around his neck, with grime under his fingernails, and skin calloused from the grainy twist of a shovel. (par. 1)

What is the meaning of the word "calloused" in the selection above?

• tender

• injured

• having hardened skin

• darkened

By seven he was drinking coffee slowly, his mouth pursed the way his mother sipped. (par. 1)

What is the meaning of the word "pursed" in the selection above?

• puckered

• opened

• relaxed

• pursued

His eye could measure a length of board, and his knees genuflected over flower beds and leafy gutters. (par. 1)

What is the meaning of the word "genuflected" in the selection above?

• wobbled

• stiffened

• stood upright

• bent to the ground

José took this as a truth, and though he did well in school, he felt destined to labor. (par. 5)

What is the meaning of the word "destined" in the selection above?

• fortunate

• predetermined

• obligated

• delighted

José knew that grass didn’t come from his lawn. His was cut and pampered, clean. (par. 8)

What is the meaning of the word "pampered" in the selection above?

• neglected

• shortened

• well-cared for

• worn down

Arnie hollered, arguing that some people were meant to work and others to come up with brilliant ideas. He was one of the latter. (par. 43)

What is the meaning of the word "latter" in the selection above?

• the second mentioned of two

• a structure for climbing

• the initial one

• talented ones

In the next two weeks, Arnie found an array of jobs. José peeled off shingles from a rickety garage roof, carried rocks down a path to where a pond would go, and spray-painted lawn furniture. (par. 44)

What is the meaning of the word "array" in the selection above?

• small sample

• fragment

• a military force

• impressive display

“How come you don’t use your sleeve?” Arnie joked.

José thought for a moment and said, “I’m not like you.” He smiled at his retort. (par. 25, 26)

What is the meaning of the word "retort" in the selection above?

• question

• sharp reply

• request

• riddle

And while Arnie accompanied him, most of the time he did nothing. He did help occasionally. He did shake the cans of spray paint and kick aside debris so that José didn’t trip while going down the path carrying the rocks. (par. 44)

What is the meaning of the word "debris" in the selection above?

• large obstacles

• furnishings

• rubbish

• equipment

Mr. Clemens nodded. Then his hearing aid fell out, and José turned in time to see it roll like a bottle cap toward the bottom of the pool. It leaped into the stagnant water with a plop. (par. 108)

What is the meaning of the word "stagnant" in the selection above?

• fresh and clean

• deep

• flowing

• stale and foul