Vocabulary Pre-Reading Guide: All Summer in a Day
1. Compounded
Built up over time, getting bigger or stronger.
"It had been raining for seven years; thousands upon thousands of days compounded and filled from one end to the other with rain..."
2. Concussion
A strong hit or shake, like a big boom.
"...with the sweet crystal fall of showers and the concussion of storms so heavy they were tidal waves come over the islands."
3. Stunned
Very surprised or shocked, like you can't think clearly.
"...when the sun came out for an hour and showed its face to the stunned world, they could not recall."
4. Tatting
A tapping or drumming sound, like raindrops falling.
"But then they always awoke to the tatting drum, the endless shaking down of clear bead necklaces upon the roof..."
5. Slackening
Slowing down or becoming less strong.
"Now the rain was slackening, and the children were crushed in the great thick windows."
6. Frail
Weak or delicate, easily hurt or broken.
"She was a very frail girl who looked as if she had been lost in the rain for years..."
7. Echoing
Sounds that repeat and bounce off walls.
"And this was because she would play no games with them in the echoing tunnels of the underground city."
8. Clutched
Held onto tightly, often because of fear or worry.
"...she had refused to shower in the school shower rooms, had clutched her hands to her ears and over her head..."
9. Vital
Very important or necessary, can't do without it.
"...it seemed vital to her that they do so, though it would mean the loss of thousands of dollars to her family."
10. Savagely
In a very angry or cruel way.
"'Well, don't wait around here!' cried the boy savagely. 'You won't see nothing!'"
11. Surged
Moved forward suddenly and with force.
"They surged about her, caught her up and bore her, protesting, and then pleading, and then crying, back into a tunnel..."
12. Muffled
Sounds that are quieter or unclear, like they're covered up.
"They heard her muffled cries."
13. Immense
Very, very big or huge.
"The silence was so immense and unbelievable that you felt your ears had been stuffed..."
14. Blazing
Very bright or hot, like a strong fire.
"And the sky around it was a blazing blue tile color."
15. Tumultuously
In a wild, noisy, or confusing way.
"It was a nest of octopi, clustering up great arms of fleshlike weed, wavering, flowering in this brief spring. It was the color of rubber and ash, this jungle, from the many years without sun."
16. Resilient
Able to recover quickly from difficult situations.
"The children lay out, laughing, on the jungle mattress, and heard it sigh and squeak under them resilient and alive."
17. Savored
Enjoyed something fully, taking time to appreciate it.
"They looked at everything and savored everything."
18. Trembling
Shaking slightly, often because of fear or excitement.
"'Oh, look, look,' she said, trembling."
19. Avalanches
Large amounts of something falling or sliding down all at once.
"Then they closed the door and heard the gigantic sound of the rain falling in tons and avalanches, everywhere and forever."
20. Solemn
Very serious and not cheerful.
"Their faces were solemn and pale."