Vocabulary Unit for A Wrinkle in Time: Chapter 4
Vocabulary Master
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Clutch (v.)—to grasp tightly
Corporeal (adj.)—relating to the physical rather than the spiritual
Void (adj.)—empty space
Elliptic (adj.)—oval-shaped
Inexorable (adj.)—impossible to stop
Quiver (v.)—shake
Shimmer (v.)—shaking light
Ineffable (adj.)—too great to describe in words
Radiant (adj.)—giving off light or glow
Apprehension (n.)—worry
Flanks (n.)—the side of a body
Metamorphose (v.)—to change completely in form or nature
Tremor (n.)—shaking movement
Serene (adj.)—calm and peaceful
Plateau (n.)—high ground that is flat
Monolith (n.)—a large stone shaped into a pillar or monument
Incomprehensible (adj.)—not able to be understood
Dwindle (v.)—diminish in size, amount, or strength
Obscure (v.)—hide, mask, conceal
Disperse (v.)—to spread out
Corona (n.)—a crown-like structure
Chapter 4: Monday—Using a Dictionary/Thesaurus
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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
clutch (v.)
radiant (adj.)
monolith (n.)
corporeal (adj.)
apprehension (n.)
incomprehensible (adj.)
void (adj.)
flanks (n.)
dwindle (v.)
elliptic (adj.)
metamorphose (v.)
obscure (v.)
quiver (v.)
tremor (n.)
disperse (v.)
shimmer (v.)
serene (adj.)
corona (n.)
ineffable (adj.)
plateau (n.)
inexorable (adj.)
Chapter 4: 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. Getting an F was impossible to stop because I had so many missing assignments.
2. The earthquake caused a shaking movement that made the child grasp tightly to his mother’s
leg, full of worry.
3. The Washington Memorial is a huge stone structure built as a monument.
4. The number of people who visit the Washington Memorial every year does not diminish is
amount.
5. The wreath was a crown-like structure on the winner’s head.
6. The earth orbits around the sun in an oval-shaped pattern.
7. When the group reached the flat top of the mountain, people began to spread out to take
pictures of the glowing sunset and to enjoy the calm surroundings.
8. The side of the horse was shaking with the exertion of the exercise.
9. When the ghost appeared, he was a shaking light of beauty.
10. When she became a ghost, she did not have a physical body anymore.
11. The empty space in her heart was not able to be understood.
12. The brightness of the sun concealed one’s view on the road.
13. Seeing the Grand Canyon was too great to describe in words.
14. Harry Potter changed into a mermaid during the games.
Chapter 4: 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:
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Vocab Word #2: ____________________________________
Sentence:
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Chapter 4: Thursday—Choose the correct word from each pair given in order to complete the sentences
using this week’s vocab words.
1. The campsite was corporeal/serene and the sunset seemed to create a void/corona in the
sky.
2. The elliptic/monolith was built to remember soldiers who died in the war.
3. The bride’s face was inexorable/radiant and she was obscuring/quivering with excitement.
4. The number of students attending school dwindled/dispersed when a huge snow storm came
into town.
5. The woman clutched/quivered her purse when the man tried to grab it.
6. When gunshots were heard, people shimmer/dispersed.
7. The hikers were glad to reach a quiver/plateau so they could rest.
8. The sun caused a shimmer/elliptic of light to bounce off of the water.
9. The man’s face showed apprehension/tremoring as he saw the wizard
metamorphose/obscure right before his eyes.
10. The tall man’s head voided/obscured her vision.
11. It is elliptical/incomprehensible to me how someone could steal.
12. The void/ineffable in their home after their son died was corporeal/ineffable.
13. The racecar was hard to maneuver on the elliptic/serene track.
14. The horse’s quiver/flanks were worn out by the run.
15. The witch plateaued/metamorphosed back into her corporeal/inexorable form.