KEY Shirley Jackson’s “Charles”: Vocabulary Review

The day my son Laurie started kindergarten he ____________ corduroy overalls with bibs and began wearing blue jeans with a belt.

• renounced
• swaggering

• raucous

• insolently

Fill in the blank with the correct word: "He came home the same way, the front door slamming open, his cap on the floor, and the voice suddenly became ____________ , shouting, 'Isn’t anybody here?'

• renounced

• swaggering

• raucous

• insolently

Fill in the blank with the correct word: "Friday Charles was ______ of blackboard privileges because he threw chalk." (Jackson 2). Definition: Lacking the necessities of life.

• deprived

• rewarded

• granted

• bestowed

Fill in the blank with the correct word: "'It'll be alright,' my husband said ______. 'Bound to be people like Charles in the world. Might as well meet them now as later'" (Jackson 2). Definition: Restoring or boosting confidence, security, or certainty.

• reassuringly

• nervously

• angrily

• indifferently

Fill in the blank with the correct word: "'Charles’s mother?' my husband and I asked ______" (Jackson 3). Definition: At the same time.

• simultaneously

• individually

• separately

• differently

Fill in the blank with the correct word: "'Naaah,' Laurie said ______. 'It was a man who came and made us do exercises, we had to touch our toes. Look' (Jackson 3). Definition: With derision or contempt.

• scornfully.

• happily.

• sadly.

• angrily.

Fill in the blank with the correct word: "He got ______ back into his chair and said, picking up his fork, 'Charles didn’t even do exercises'" (Jackson 3). Definition: In a serious or earnest manner.

• solemnly

• casually

• hastily

• joyfully

The word 'solemn' is defined as:

• joyful and lively

• serious and dignified

• casual and informal

• angry and aggressive

The word 'reformation' is defined as:

• a process of making changes to something with the intention of setting it back on the right path

• a complete and total transformation

• a minor adjustment or tweak

• an unplanned and spontaneous change

The word 'incredulously' is defined as:

• With disbelief

• With joy

• With anger

• With sadness