Vocabulary Unit for A Wrinkle in Time: Chapter 2
Vocabulary Master






















Unceremoniously (adv.)—without courtesy, roughly, abruptly
Piteous (adj.)—arousing pity from others
Gyp (v.)—to cheat or swindle someone out of something
Dutifully (adv.)—fulfilling one’s duty or obligations
Sarcastic (adj.)—to say something you don’t really mean, usually mocking
Warily (adv.)—to do something with caution
Avid (adj.)—having an interest, enthusiasm, or extreme ability in something
Physicist (n.)—an expert in the areas of matter and energy
Bellowing (v.)—to shout in pain
Belligerent (adj.)—hostile and aggressive
Antagonistic (adj.)—showing hostility or aggression toward someone
Tractable (adj.)—easy to control or influence
Snide (adj.)—derogatory or mocking
Inadvertently (adv.)—unintentionally, accidentally
Haunches (n.)—the buttock and thigh
Compulsion (n.)—the action or state of forcing or being forced to do something
Dilapidated (adj.)—in a state of disrepair or ruin, worn down
Sinister (adj.)—evil or harmful
Raucous (adj.)—a harsh or loud noise
Scuttled (v.)—to run quickly
Peremptory (adj.)—demanding immediate action
Assimilate (v.)—to understand
Chapter 2: Monday—Using a Dictionary/Thesaurus





Take the words that were assigned to your particular group, look up the word in the thesaurus,
and write down at least 1-2 words that have the same meaning as each vocabulary word.
If you can’t find the word in the thesaurus, then try looking it up in the dictionary and writing
down the definition that you think best fits.
Remember, you may need to look up the root word instead of the form that you are given (ie.
scud for scudded).
You may use hard copies of a dictionary/thesaurus or you may use digital copies (look up on the
computer).
Be prepared to share your results with the class. When other groups share their research, make
sure to record their answers.
This Week’s Vocabulary Words
unceremoniously (adv.)
piteous (adj.)
gyp (v. )
dutifully (adv.)
sarcastic (adj.)
warily (adv.)
avid (adj.)
physicist (n.)
bellowing (v.)
belligerent (adj.)
antagonistic (adj.)
tractable (adj.)
snide (adj.)
inadvertently (adv.)
haunches (n.)
compulsion (n.)
dilapidated (adj.)
sinister (adj.)
raucous (adj.)
scuttled (v.)
peremptory (adj.)
assimilate (v.)
Chapter 2: Tuesday—Replace the Word
Cross out the underlined words in each sentence and write the vocab word from this week’s chapter
that has the same meaning and would fit into that spot. You may have to use a slightly different form of
the word to make it fit into each sentence.
1. When the boy made a mocking comment to his mom, his dad dragged him roughly to his
bedroom and had a stern talk with him.
2. We heard loud, disturbing music from the ruined house across the street.
3. The criminals were aggressive as the policeman handcuffed them.
4. The cashier tried to cheat me out of my change.
5. I accidentally hit my sister with my bike and she shouted in pain, making noises that aroused my
compassion.
6. After I hit my sister with my bike, I rode cautiously.
7. The thief gave an evil laugh and he ran quickly out of the bank.
8. My brother wants to go to school to become an expert in matter and energy because he can
understand science really well.
9. My dog is easy to control because we took him to doggie training camp. He can now sit on his
buttocks and back legs obeying commands.
10. The teenager was hostile and aggressive toward his parents and would say things mockingly.
11. He was driven by a force to enter the worn down house.
12. The soldier gave an order that demanded immediate action.
13. The girl was an enthusiastic reader.
Chapter 2: Wednesday—Writing Sentences
Use each of the two vocabulary words that your teacher gives you in a sentence. Be prepared to share
your sentences with the class.
Vocab Word #1: ____________________________________
Sentence:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Vocab Word #2: ____________________________________
Sentence:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 2: Thursday—Choose the correct word from each pair given in order to complete the sentences
using this week’s vocab words.
1. The little boy dutifully/inadvertently hit his little sister while playing.
2. The student got in trouble for making a snide/avid comment to his teacher.
3. The physicist/antagonistic made a shocking discovery in his lab.
4. The rat scuttled/bellowed across the kitchen floor.
5. The ghost had a raucous/sinister smile on his face.
6. I want to assimilate/avid my history lesson.
7. The toddler was cried out belligerently/dutifully when he didn’t get his way.
8. The injured dog was a piteous/tractable sight to see.
9. The raucous/sarcastic music from the apartment downstairs game me a headache.
10. If you read more than 1 book a month, you might be considered a(n) tractable/avid reader.
11. The soldiers carried out their officers’ orders dutifully/sarcastically.
12. The dilapidated/wary house needs lots of repairs.
13. When you are under hypnosis, you are very tractable/antagonistic.
14. When he crashed on his motorcycle, he gypped/bellowed out in pain.
15. The dog sat back on his haunches/compulsion and waited for his treat.
16. “Do not try to gyp/antagonize me out of money!”
17. The police officer dragged the criminals away quite peremtory/unceremoniously.
18. The teacher game a sarcastic/peremptory command for all students to hide under their desks.
19. The mean girl made a(n) antagonistic/sarcastic comment about the other girl’s clothes.
20. I feel a compulsion/gyp to give money to homeless people.
21. He walked over the rickety bridge warily/raucously.
22. The bully was extremely antagonistic/wary toward his victims.