Word Wizard

 

Word 1

  1. Fluorescent lantern – p. 67, par. 5
  2. “He had a soft mattress, a fluorescent lantern, a flashlight, a book, a thermos of hot chocolate, some Lorna Doone cookies, and two Snickers bars.”
  3. I think this word is a noun and means a type of light used to see things in the dark.  The dictionary definition for fluorescent lantern is “an electric lamp in the form of a tube in which light is produced on the inside fluorescent coating by the action of ultraviolet light.”
  4. By using this word, the author is adding meaning to the setting of the story by describing what Mark has with him while he is camping.

         

 

Word 2

  1. Primitive – p. 69, par. 4
  2. “These two were at war, and their hatred for each other was dark and primitive.”
  3. I think this word is an adjective that means early.  The dictionary definition for primitive is “of or relating to an early stage of development.”
  4. Mark is reading a book while he is camping out in the barn.  The word primitive is used by the author to describe the relationship between the subjects in the book Mark is reading.

             

 

Word 3

1.                  Butler – p. 78, par. 1

2.                  “One kid smirked and said, ‘You figure that out yourself, or did the butler tell you?’”

3.                  I think this word is a noun meaning someone that waits on and takes care of other people.  The dictionary definition for butler is “a chief male household servant.”

4.                  The author uses this word to show readers that the kids at Mark’s new school think he is a spoiled, rich kid who has a butler.  When Mark tries to ask the kids at school a question about the snow, one of the kids throws the comment about the butler in to show this.

 

    

 

Word 4

1.                  Embossed – p. 83, par. 1 (first full paragraph)

2.                  “It was a beautiful envelope with an embossed return address.”

3.                  I think this word is an adjective that means raised up.  The dictionary definition for embossed is “to ornament with raised work.”

4.                  The author uses this word to describe the look of the envelope that Mark brings his permission slip back to Mr. Maxwell in.