Stargirl - Understanding Vocabulary

bolted (paragraph 4)

'I bolted from the truck.'

• attached loosely/ tethered/ affixed

• secured tightly/ fastened

• ran quickly/ dashed/sprinted

• loosened slowly/ unfastened

windmilling (paragraph 4)

'Kevin was at the gate, windmilling his arm.

• The action of rotating or moving in a circular motion.
• A technique used in painting to create circular patterns.
• A type of bird known for its soaring flight.
• The process of generating electricity from wind.

rooted in their places (paragraph 6)

'As they played, rooted in their places, she pranced around the grass in her bare feet and long lemon-yellow dress.'

• Attached to abstract concepts

• Sense of belonging to a community

• Temporary association with various places

• Stayed firmly in the same position

gaped (paragraph 6)

'The cheerleaders gaped from the sidelines.'

• to stare with an open mouth in surprise or wonder
• to close one's eyes tightly
• to whisper quietly to someone
• to look away in disinterest

hoisting (paragraph 7)

'She plucked it off the tee and danced with it, spinning and hugging it and hoisting it into the air.'

• throwing with force

• dragging along the ground

• pushing upward gradually

• raising or lifting into the air

converging (paragraph 8)

'The officials blew their whistles and began converging on her.'

• diverging or separating
• remaining unchanged
• surrounding on all sides or closing in on

• dispersing or scattering

racket (paragraph 9)

'Old timers - or as old as timers got in a city as young as Mica - said they had never heard such a racket.'

• A type of sports equipment

• A style of writing

• A form of entertainment

• A loud noise or commotion

in their glory (paragraph 10)

'The cheerleaders were in their glory.'

• at their peak or in a state of great beauty or excellence
• in a state of decline
• at their lowest point
• in a moment of failure

high-spirited (paragraph 11)

'The band was loud and high-spirited.'

• bored and indifferent
• calm and reserved
• lively and energetic

• sad and gloomy

linger (paragraph 12)

'They seemed to linger on the field, drawing out their notes, waiting.'

• to avoid staying in one place
• to stay in a place longer than necessary
• to move quickly through a location
• to leave a place immediately