Literature Vocabulary Masters • Sequence • Lenny.com
Literature Vocabulary Masters
A literature-based vocabulary curriculum featuring dual-language English and Spanish supports, syllable pronunciations, etymology breakdowns, and context practice for secondary ELA texts.
12. The interface features an intuitive layout that is simple to operate.
13. Immediate medical intervention was necessary to save the patient.
14. She delivered a vehement speech against the regime's unfair laws.
15. The school year ends with a strict cull (noun) of all graduates.
16. Settling for mediocrity prevents individuals from achieving brilliance.
WIDA Level 2–3 ESL Facilitation Notes:
Cognate Reinforcement: Point out direct Spanish cognates like espontáneo, mediocre, intervenir, vehemencia, and intuitivo.
Noun vs. Verb Suffixes: Emphasize that suffixes like -ity and -tion turn descriptive words/actions into nouns.
Pronunciation Choral Reading: Have students tap or clap on the capitalized stressed syllables (e.g., me-di-O-cri-ty).
Section B: Fill-in-the-Blanks Solutions Page 2 of 2
Master List
Cognate Tip: Look for words with Latin roots (inferno = infierno, extend = extender).
Vocabulary Word
Part of Speech
Root & Origin
Simple English Meaning
Definición en Español
distraught
dis-TRAUGHT
| Adjective | From distract = pulled apart mentally. | Extremely worried, anxious, nervous, or upset. | Angustiado/a: Muy preocupado/a o afligido/a. |
|
conceivable
con-CEIV-a-ble
| Adjective | Latin concipere = to hold in mind. | Capable of being imagined, thought of, or believed. | Concebible: Que se puede imaginar o pensar. |
|
conceive
con-CEIVE
| Verb | Latin com- + capere (to take). | To create an idea, plan, or mental picture in the mind. | Concebir / Idear: Formar una idea o plan mental. |
|
innumerable
in-NU-mer-a-ble
| Adjective | Latin in- (not) + numerus (number). | Too many to be counted; countless in number. | Innumerable: Demasiado numeroso para contarse. |
|
inferno
in-FER-no
| Noun | Latin infernus = underground, hellish. | 1) A huge, terrifying fire; 2) A hellish, agonizing place. | Infierno: Fuego destructivo o lugar de tormento. |
|
insurmountable
in-sur-MOUNT-a-ble
| Adjective | Latin/OF in- (not) + surmonter. | Impossible to overcome, conquer, or climb past. | Insuperable: Imposible de vencer o resolver. |
|
extent
ex-TENT
| Noun | Latin extentus = stretched out. | The scope, magnitude, or degree to which something reaches. | Alcance / Grado: Magnitud o límite al que llega algo. |
|
extend
ex-TEND
| Verb | Latin ex- (out) + tendere (to stretch). | To stretch out, lengthen, or reach further in distance. | Extender: Hacer más largo o ampliar en alcance. |
Part 1: Reference Chart (Words 9 – 16) Page 2 of 4
Vocabulary Practice: Matching Activity
Part A • Match each word from If Beale Street Could Talk
Score: ____ / 16
Date:
Directions: Write the letter of the matching definition on the line next to each vocabulary word.
Set 1: Terms 1 – 8 Match items 1–8 with letters A–H
1. malevolent
2. malevolence
3. contemptuous
4. contempt
5. torrent
6. torrential
7. testimony
8. testify
A. The desire or intention to do evil to others.
B. A rushing stream of water or a sudden violent flood.
C. Wishing to do evil or harm to other people.
D. To give a formal statement under oath in court.
E. Flowing or pouring heavily and rapidly.
F. A strong feeling that someone is worthless; scorn.
G. A formal statement of truth given in a legal court.
H. Showing deep hatred, disapproval, or severe disrespect.
Set 2: Terms 9 – 16 Match items 9–16 with letters I–P
9. distraught
10. conceivable
11. conceive
12. innumerable
13. inferno
14. insurmountable
15. extent
16. extend
I. A massive destructive fire or hellish place of torment.
J. Capable of being imagined, thought of, or believed.
K. Deeply worried, anxious, nervous, or upset.
L. Too many to be counted; countless in number.
M. To stretch out, make longer, or reach further.
N. Impossible to overcome, conquer, or climb past.
O. To form an idea, plan, or concept in the mind.
P. The scope, magnitude, or degree to which something reaches.
Part 2: Matching Practice (All 16 Terms) Page 3 of 4
Vocabulary Practice: Fill-in-the-Blanks
Part B • Sentence Completion for If Beale Street Could Talk
Score: ____ / 16
Date:
Word Bank (Use each word once) Cross out words as you use them
malevolent adj
malevolence n
contemptuous adj
contempt n
torrent n
torrential adj
testimony n
testify v
distraught adj
conceivable adj
conceive v
innumerable adj
inferno n
insurmountable adj
extent n
extend v
Directions: Fill in each blank with the correct word from the word bank.
| Adjective | Latin subtilis = fine, delicate. | Indirect, delicate, or not immediately obvious. | Sutil: Delicado/a, discreto/a y poco evidente. |
|
distraught
dis-TRAUGHT
| Adjective | Middle English distract (drawn apart). | Deeply upset, agitated, and worried. | Consternado/a: Muy agitado/a y angustiado/a. |
|
abundant
a-BUN-dant
| Adjective | Latin abundare = to overflow. | Existing in large quantities; plentiful. | Abundante: Muy numeroso/a o cuantioso/a. |
|
imperialist
im-PE-ri-al-ist
| Noun | Latin imperium = supreme power. | One who supports expanding a nation's rule over others. | Imperialista: Quien apoya el dominio de otras naciones. |
|
repugnant
re-PUG-nant
| Adjective | Latin re- + pugnare (fight). | Extremely distasteful, offensive, or disgusting. | Repugnante: Que causa asco o profundo rechazo. |
|
inhibit
in-HIB-it
| Verb | Latin inhibere = hold in, restrain. | To hinder, restrain, or prevent from happening. | Inhibir / Frenar: Impedir o refrenar una acción. |
|
animosity
an-i-MOS-i-ty
| Noun | Latin animosus = bold, spirited, hostile. | Strong feelings of dislike, hatred, or hostility. | Animosidad / Rencor: Sentimiento de odio o enemistad. |
|
exhort
ex-HORT
| Verb | Latin exhortari = to encourage. | To strongly urge or encourage someone to act. | Exhortar: Incitar o animar con insistencia a alguien. |
Part 1: Reference Chart (Words 9 – 16) Page 2 of 7
Puerto Rican Vocabulary Chart
Vocabulary List 1.3 • When I Was Puerto Rican (Part 3: Terms 17–23)
Master List
Etymology Connection: Note Latin roots like tenuis (slender) → tenuous.
Vocabulary Word
Part of Speech
Root & Origin
Simple English Meaning
Definición en Español
turbulent
TUR-bu-lent
| Adjective | Latin turba = crowd, disturbance. | Characterized by conflict, disorder, or confusion. | Turbulento/a: Lleno/a de desorden, conflicto o agitación. |
|
yearn
YEARN
| Verb | Old English giernan = to seek, desire. | To have an intense longing or deep desire for something. | Anhelar / Desear: Sentir un deseo profundo o nostalgia. |
|
utilitarian
u-til-i-TAR-i-an
| Adjective | Latin utilis = useful, practical. | Designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive. | Utilitario/a: Diseñado/a para ser práctico/a y funcional. |
|
desolate
DES-o-late
| Adjective | Latin desolatus = abandoned, solitary. | Bleak, empty, bare, or lonely and abandoned. | Desolado/a: Vacío/a, triste, solitario/a y abandonado/a. |
|
tenuous
TEN-u-ous
| Adjective | Latin tenuis = thin, slender, slight. | Very weak, fragile, or connected only slightly. | Tenue / Endeble: Muy débil, frágil o poco sólido/a. |
|
morose
mo-ROSE
| Adjective | Latin morosus = peevish, fretful. | Sullen, gloomy, and in a bad or silent mood. | Moroso/a / Taciturno/a: De humor sombrío y poco comunicativo. |
|
preoccupied
pre-OC-cu-pied
| Adjective | Latin prae- (before) + occupare. | Deeply absorbed in thoughts; distracted. | Preocupado/a / Absorto/a: Muy distraído/a o pensativo/a. |
Part 1: Reference Chart (Words 17 – 23) Page 3 of 7
Puerto Rican Vocabulary Chart
Vocabulary List 1.3 • When I Was Puerto Rican (Part 4: Terms 24–30)
Final Group
Word Family Connection: Notice suffixes (-ic, -ious, -ent).
Vocabulary Word
Part of Speech
Root & Origin
Simple English Meaning
Definición en Español
relinquish
re-LIN-quish
| Verb | Latin relinquere = leave behind. | To willingly give up, surrender, or let go of. | Renunciar a / Ceder: Dejar ir o entregar algo voluntariamente. |
|
pristine
PRIS-tine
| Adjective | Latin pristinus = ancient, original. | In its clean, pure, unspoiled original condition. | Prístino/a: Puro/a, intacto/a y en perfecto estado original. |
|
detached
de-TACHED
| Adjective | French détacher = to unfasten. | 1) Disconnected; 2) Objective and unemotional. | Distanciado/a: Separado/a o indiferente emocionalmente. |
|
myriad
MYR-i-ad
| Adj / Noun | Greek myrias = ten thousand, countless. | A countless or extremely great number; many. | Miríada / Innumerable: Cantidad inmensa o incontable. |
|
ingenious
in-GEN-ious
| Adjective | Latin ingeniosus = clever, gifted. | Clever, original, inventive, and resourceful. | Ingenioso/a: Muy hábil, creativo/a y original. |
|
incoherent
in-co-HER-ent
| Adjective | Latin in- (not) + cohaerere. | Unclear, disjointed, or difficult to understand. | Incoherente: Poco claro/a, confuso/a o inconexo/a. |
|
multifaceted
mul-ti-FAC-et-ed
| Adjective | Latin multus (many) + French facette. | Having many different aspects, features, or sides. | Multifacético/a: Que tiene muchos lados o aspectos. |
Part 1: Reference Chart (Words 24 – 30) Page 4 of 7
Vocabulary Practice: Matching Activity
Part A • Match each word from When I Was Puerto Rican (All 30 Words)
Score: ____ / 30
Date:
Directions: Write the letter of the matching definition on the line next to each vocabulary word.
Set 1: Terms 1 – 10 Match 1–10 with Letters A–J
1. enticing
2. ominous
3. dialect
4. hypocrisy
5. indifference
6. reproachful
7. sullen
8. stifle
9. subtle
10. distraught
A. Regional form of speech.
B. Deeply upset and agitated.
C. Gloomy, bad-tempered, sulky.
D. Threatening or warning of evil.
E. Attractive, tempting, alluring.
F. Expressing blame or disapproval.
G. Indirect; not immediately obvious.
H. Pretense of having virtues.
I. Lack of interest or sympathy.
J. To suppress or hold back an urge.
Set 2: Terms 11 – 20 Match 11–20 with Letters K–T
11. abundant
12. imperialist
13. repugnant
14. inhibit
15. animosity
16. exhort
17. turbulent
18. yearn
19. utilitarian
20. desolate
K. To strongly urge or encourage.
L. Extremely distasteful; offensive.
M. Plentiful; in large amounts.
N. Strong hatred or deep hostility.
O. Supporter of colonial expansion.
P. Bleak, bare, and abandoned.
Q. Practical rather than attractive.
R. To hinder, restrain, or block.
S. Full of conflict or disorder.
T. To have an intense longing.
Set 3: Terms 21 – 30 Match 21–30 with Letters U–DD
21. tenuous
22. morose
23. preoccupied
24. relinquish
25. pristine
26. detached
27. myriad
28. ingenious
29. incoherent
30. multifaceted
U. Very weak or slight.
V. Having many different sides.
W. Absorbed in thought; distracted.
X. To surrender or give up.
Y. Clean, pure, and fresh as new.
Z. Sullen, gloomy, ill-tempered.
AA. Disconnected or unemotional.
BB. Countless or great in number.
CC. Clever, original, and inventive.
DD. Unclear, rambled, illogical.
Part 2: Matching Practice (All 30 Terms) Page 5 of 7
Vocabulary Practice: Fill-in-the-Blanks
Part B • Sentence Completion for When I Was Puerto Rican (Sentences 1–15)
Score: ____ / 15
Date:
Word Bank (Part 1: Words 1–15) Use each word once
enticing
ominous
dialect
hypocrisy
indifference
reproachful
sullen
stifle
subtle
distraught
abundant
imperialist
repugnant
inhibit
animosity
Directions: Fill in each blank with the correct word from the word bank.
1. The fresh guavas were ripe and sweet, their scent anyone passing by to take a bite.
2. Heavy black storm clouds gathered, creating an sky over Macún.
3. The rural elders spoke a unique regional rich in native vocabulary.
4. Negi questioned the obvious of praising traditions while mocking rural people.
5. The boy's total hurt his parents, who expected excitement.
6. Mami gave Negi a sharp, look after she broke the rule.
7. Following their tense fight, Mami remained and refused to speak.
8. She tried desperately to her giggles during the quiet ceremony.
9. Even mistakes in manners could result in swift punishment.
10. Juana was completely , crying with wide eyes.
11. The family was relieved to see an harvest of mangoes.
12. Many locals called the foreign officials figures seeking control.
13. The spoiled canned food tasted so that she gagged.
14. Fear of making errors should never a student from practicing English.
15. Negi felt open toward those who disrespected her island.
Part 3: Fill-in-the-Blanks (Sentences 1 – 15) Page 6 of 7
Vocabulary Practice: Fill-in-the-Blanks
Part B • Sentence Completion for When I Was Puerto Rican (Sentences 16–30)
Score: ____ / 15
Date:
Word Bank (Part 2: Words 16–30) Use each word once
exhort
turbulent
yearn
utilitarian
desolate
tenuous
morose
preoccupied
relinquish
pristine
detached
myriad
ingenious
incoherent
multifaceted
Directions: Fill in each blank with the correct word from the word bank.
16. The preacher used the radio to listeners to seek salvation.
17. Moving to Brooklyn caused a transition filled with chaos.
18. Her curious hands seemed to for textures and action.
19. Their simple wooden chairs were purely and plain.
20. The empty room felt cold, , and lonely after Abuelo passed.
21. The evidence connecting the rumors was and unconvincing.
22. Papi grew quiet and , withdrawing into his own thoughts.
23. She was so with worry that she missed the teacher's call.
24. Negi felt she was her pride by handing over the papers.
25. She dreamed of swimming in a , crystal-clear river.
26. Papi spoke with a , unemotional voice during the goodbye.
27. Readers admire Santiago's memoir for its cultural details.
28. Her approach helped her learn English rapidly.
29. When sick with a fever, Tata became confused and .
30. Santiago's memoir reveals her rich, bicultural identity.
Part 3: Fill-in-the-Blanks (Sentences 16 – 30) Page 7 of 7
sullen
8. She tried desperately to stifle her giggles during the quiet ceremony.
9. Even subtle mistakes in manners could result in swift punishment.
10. Juana was completely distraught, crying with wide eyes.
11. The family was relieved to see an abundant harvest of mangoes.
12. Many locals called the foreign officials imperialist figures seeking control.
13. The spoiled canned food tasted so repugnant that she gagged.
14. Fear of making errors should never inhibit a student from practicing English.
15. Negi felt open animosity toward those who disrespected her island.
Bilingual Cognate Bridges: Reinforce direct cognates like repugnant / repugnante, imperialist / imperialista, and dialect / dialecto to boost reading confidence.
Emotional & Mood Contexts: Pair character mood words together (e.g., sullen, distraught, reproachful) and have students act out or sketch facial expressions.
Root Breakdown: Show that in- acts as a negative prefix in indifference (not differing/not caring) and inhibit (holding back).
Section B: Fill-in-the-Blanks Solutions (1–15) Page 2 of 3
Puerto Rican Vocabulary Key
Part B: Fill-in-the-Blanks Solutions (Sentences 16–30)
Sentences 16 – 30
16. The preacher used the radio to exhort listeners to seek salvation.
17. Moving to Brooklyn caused a turbulent transition filled with chaos.
18. Her curious hands seemed to yearn for textures and action.
19. Their simple wooden chairs were purely utilitarian and plain.
20. The empty room felt cold, desolate, and lonely after Abuelo passed.
21. The evidence connecting the rumors was tenuous and unconvincing.
22. Papi grew quiet and morose, withdrawing into his own thoughts.
23. She was so preoccupied with worry that she missed the teacher's call.
24. Negi felt she was relinquishing her pride by handing over the papers.
25. She dreamed of swimming in a pristine, crystal-clear river.
26. Papi spoke with a detached, unemotional voice during the goodbye.
27. Readers admire Santiago's memoir for its myriad cultural details.
28. Her ingenious approach helped her learn English rapidly.
29. When sick with a fever, Tata became confused and incoherent.
30. Santiago's memoir reveals her rich, multifaceted bicultural identity.
Literary & Cultural Context Notes for When I Was Puerto Rican:
Memoir & Coming-of-Age: Highlight how Esmeralda Santiago uses words like yearn, utilitarian, and multifaceted to describe the contrast between rural Puerto Rican life (Macún) and immigrant life in New York City.
Register and Formality: Discuss how words like relinquish, exhort, and pristine elevate academic writing while capturing vivid emotional truths in autobiographies.
Discussion Starter: Ask students: "How does Negi's multifaceted identity allow her to navigate both Puerto Rican and American cultural spaces?"
Section B: Fill-in-the-Blanks Solutions (16–30) Page 3 of 3
