Esperanza Teacher Overview - National Math and Science Initiative

English
Vocabulary Study: Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Teacher Overview
Grades 6-7
Lesson Introduction/Overview
Vocabulary words, definitions, derivatives, and quotations
An alphabetical listing of the ten words in each section is given at the beginning of each chapter.
Since the chapters are not numbered, the divisions correspond to the titles of the chapters in the
novel. The definitions are given in the order that the words appear in the chapters. The part of
speech indicated in the definition corresponds to the way the word is used in the quotation
provided from the chapter. Common derivatives of the words are listed below each definition.
Complete List of Words
A complete list of words is provided in alphabetical order.
Fill-in-the-Blank Activity
The sentences in this activity correspond to the sequence of events in the chapters. Many of the
sentences require students to add an inflectional ending or use another form of the word to
correctly complete the sentence, adding a higher level of thinking to the lesson.
Multiple Choice Exam
The students are tested on 25 of the words, encouraging them to study all 50 words to be ready
for the test. Teachers might also require students to use words correctly in an original sentence
that they create.
Writing Activity
This essay assignment is designed to complement the vocabulary study and is intended to be
used after students complete the novel. While reading the novel, students should be required to
keep a dialectical journal with character traits, quotations, and commentary for Esperanza and
Miguel to assist them in writing their essays. Because the writing prompt requires students to
synthesize information from throughout the novel, students should be allowed extended writing
time and encouraged to revise multiple drafts.
Acknowledgment
Words, definitions, and quotations are presented in the order in which they appear in the
Scholastic Signature Text, Copyright 2000.
Materials and Resources:
• Copy of lesson for each student
• Copy of Pam Muñoz Ryan’s novel, Esperanza Rising
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Vocabulary Study: Esperanza Rising
Teacher Overview
Alphabetical Listing of Words
accosting
alms
anguish
animated
atrocious
bedraggled
cherubs
condolences
crochet
deliberately
despondent
devious
disembark
doting
extravagant
grotto
humanity
immunized
indebted
indignation
intact
listless
loamy
methodically
penetrate
premonition
preoccupied
pretentious
pungent
reeked
regal
renegades
repatriation
riveted
scythe
silhouetted
smirked
sparse
spigot
staccato
susceptible
tallow
taunting
taut
trellis
undulating
untethered
valise
vigorously
waif
Answer keys for the sentence completion and multiple choice
quizzes for this lesson are not included in open source materials.
As the teacher of record, you may obtain copies of these answer
keys by sending a message from your school email address to the
NMSI help desk at [email protected]. Include your name,
course taught, the name of your school, and your city and state.
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English
Vocabulary Study
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Note: The words in each section are listed in alphabetical order. The words, definitions, and
quotations are presented in the order in which they appear in the Scholastic Signature Text,
Copyright 2000.
List 1
Las Uvas—Las Papayas
crochet
condolences
devious
indignation
methodically
1.
premonition
pretentious
pungent
scythe
tallow
scythe (sahyth) n. a long curved blade fastened to a long handle used for cutting grass or
grains by hand
derivatives: scythed, scything, scytheless, scythelike
“The short blade was curved like a scythe, its fat wooden handle fitting snugly into her
palm” (4).
2.
premonition (pre muh nish uhn) n. a feeling of anxiety or warning of an unwelcomed
occurrence; an omen or portent
derivatives: premonitory
“She quickly wrapped her hand in the corner of her apron and dismissed the
premonition” (8–9).
3.
crochet (kroh shay) v. to make something using a hooked needle to loop or intertwine
thread or yarn.
derivatives: crocheter, crocheted, crocheting
“Esperanza complained, ‘Must we always crochet to take our minds off worry?’” (13).
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Vocabulary Study: Esperanza Rising
4.
tallow (tal oh) n. the fat of animals, especially sheep and cattle, used to make candles,
soap
derivatives: tallowy
“It wasn’t until the candelabra held nothing but short stubs of tallow that Mama finally
said, ‘I see a lantern’” (21).
5.
condolences (kuhn dol luh ns) n. an expression of sympathy to someone suffering from
misfortune or grief
derivatives: none
“In front of the adults, Esperanza modeled Mama’s refined manners, accepting Marisol’s
condolences” (26).
6.
methodical (muh thod i kuhl) adv. performing or acting in a systematic way; slowly
and carefully
derivatives: methodically, methodicalness, unmethodically
“Abuelita handed Esperanza each gift and Esperanza methodically opened them and laid
them back on the table” (27).
7.
indignation (in dig ney shun) n. strong displeasure at something considered unjust or
offensive; righteous anger
derivatives: indignant, indignantly
“A look of indignation passes between Mama and Abuelita” (30).
8.
pretentious (pre ten shuhs) adj. making an exaggerated outward show; assuming dignity
or importance
derivatives: pretentiously, pretentiousness
“But he could build another house, bigger and more pretentious anywhere on the
property” (33).
9.
devious (dee vee uhs) adj. departing from the accepted or proper way, shifty, crooked,
or cunning
derivatives: deviously, deviousness
“‘But be careful. He is a devious, dangerous man’” (33).
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Vocabulary Study: Esperanza Rising
10.
pungent (puhn juh nt) adj. sharply affecting the sense of taste or smell; bitter, biting
derivatives: pungency, pungently, nonpungent
“A familiar breeze carried a familiar, pungent smell” (38).
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Vocabulary Study: Esperanza Rising
List 2
Los Higos—Las Guayabas
alms
doting
indebted
intact
penetrate
1.
reeked
renegades
silhouetted
undulating
waif
silhouette (sil oo et) v. to remove the background details to create an outline effect; the
outline of a figure as cast by its shadow
derivatives: silhouetted
“Esperanza stood in the middle of it all, watching the outline of her home silhouetted in
flames against the night sky” (41).
2.
penetrate (pen uh treyt) v. to pierce or pass through
derivatives: penetrator
“They were numb, as if encased in a thick skin that nothing could penetrate” (43).
3.
intact (in takt) adj. left complete or whole, untouched or unimpaired
derivatives: intactness
“Then she saw the remains of the truck that used to sit at the foot of her bed, the metal
straps still intact” (43–44).
4.
indebted (in det id) adj. obligated to repay money or kindness for a favor received
derivatives: indebtedness
“We are indebted to them for our finances and our future” (52–53).
5.
waif (weyf) n. a person, especially a child, who has no friends; something found,
especially a stray animal, without an owner
derivatives: none
“‘And those clothes Ramona! They are not fitting for a woman of your stature, and
Esperanza looks like a waif’” (54).
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Vocabulary Study: Esperanza Rising
6.
renegade (ren i geyd) n. a person who deserts a party or cause for another, a traitor
derivatives: none
“They were renegades who thought they had permission to steal from the rich and give
to the poor”(61–62).
7.
doting (doh ting) adj. excessively fond or loving
derivatives: dote, dotingly, dotingness, undoting
“The men and women dressed in their hats and fancy clothes smiled and chuckled at
what must have looked like a doting father and two privileged children” (64).
8.
reeked (reekd) v smelled strongly or unpleasantly; to give off, emit
derivatives: reeker, reekingly, reeky
“Trash littered the floor and it reeked of rotting fruit and urine” (66).
9.
alms (ahms) n anything given in charity: money, food, donations, etc.
derivatives: none
“An old, frail beggar woman pushed by them into the back of the car, clutching a picture
of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Her hand outstretched for alms” (66).
10.
undulate (uhn juh leyt) adj. having a wavelike or rippled form or surface; wavy
derivatives: undulator, undulating
“For hours Esperanza watched the undulating land pass in front of her” (68).
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Vocabulary Study: Esperanza Rising
List 3
Los Melones—Las Cebollas
accosting
cherubs
deliberately
disembark
smirked
1.
sparse
staccato
untethered
valise
vigorously
disembarked (dis em bahrkt) v. to go ashore from a ship; to leave an aircraft or other
vehicle
derivatives: disembarkation, disembarkment
“Finally the train stopped moving and everyone disembarked” (81).
2.
deliberately (dih lib er it le) adv. carefully considered, intentional
derivatives: deliberator, deliberateness
“She stood up straight and tall and deliberately blotted her face with a handkerchief”
(82).
3.
valise (vuh lees) n. a small piece of luggage that can be carried by hand
derivatives: none
“Esperanza picked up her valise and followed Isabel’s father” (87).
4.
cherub (cher uhb) n. a celestial being often represented as a rosy-cheeked child with
wings; a beautiful or innocent child
derivatives: cherubic, cherublike
“The babies, Lupe and Pepe, a girl and a boy, were dark eyed cherubs, with thick mops
of black hair” (88).
5.
sparse (spahrs) adj. thinly scattered; not thick or dense
derivatives: sparsely, sparseness
“The truck rattled up a steep grade past sparse, dry canyons and Esperanza’s ears began
to feel full and tight” (90).
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Vocabulary Study: Esperanza Rising
6.
untethered (uhn teth urd) adj. not tied or limited
derivatives: tethered
“She lifted higher and part of her liked the sensation, but another part of her felt
untethered and frightened” (92).
7.
staccato (stuh kah toh) adj. shortened and detached; disconnected notes
derivatives: none
“Without asking any questions, he took her hand and stayed with her, the quiet
interrupted only by her occasional staccato breaths” (93).
8.
smirked (smurkt) v. smiled in a smug or offensive way
derivatives: smirker, smirkingly
“Marta smirked at Esperanza and said, ‘Just so you know. This isn’t Mexico. No one
will be waiting on you here’” (99).
9.
accost (uh kost) v. to confront boldly
derivatives: accostable, accosting
“Several more onion trucks passed by, their smell accosting her eyes and nose as much
as the diapers” (114).
10.
vigorously (vig er uhs ly) adv. strongly, actively, with energy or power
derivatives: vigor, vigorous
“She rubbed the diapers with soap, vigorously scrubbed them back and forth on the
washboard, and wrung them out” (114).
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Vocabulary Study: Esperanza Rising
List 4
Las Almendras—Las Papas
atrocious
extravagant
grotto
immunized
listless
1.
preoccupied
repatriation
riveted
taunting
trellis
trellis (trel is) n. a lattice or frame for growing vines
derivatives: none
“He smiled and pointed to the one that was closest to the cabin wall and already had a
makeshift trellis propped against it. ‘So you can climb,’ he said” (124).
2.
taunting (tawnt ing) adj. a mocking, jeering, or insulting manner
derivatives: taunt, taunter, tauntingly
“Esperanza quickly dropped her arms and remembered Marta’s taunting voice saying,
‘No one will be waiting on you here’” (126).
3.
extravagant ( ik strav uh guhnt) adj. excessive, much more than is necessary
derivatives: extravagantly, extravagantness
“Esperanza continued, reliving the extravagant moments, but was relieved when she
knew that Isabel was asleep” (136).
4.
atrocious (uh troh shuhs) adj. shockingly wicked or cruel or in bad taste
derivatives: atrociously, atrociousness
“She woke up to Lupe’s whimpering and an atrocious smell. Brown liquid leaked from
her diaper” (141).
5.
preoccupied (pree ok yuh pahyd) adj. completely engrossed in thought or absorbed in
an activity
derivatives: preoccupy, preoccupiedly, preoccupiedness
“‘I know a little, but only a few stitches,’ said Esperanza, remembering Abuelita’s
blanket of zigzag rows that she had been too preoccupied to unpack” (145).
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Vocabulary Study: Esperanza Rising
6.
immunized (im yuh nahyzd) adj. protected from germs or disease; vaccinated
derivatives: immunization, immune
“For those who live here most of their lives, they are naturally immunized” (156).
7.
listless (list lis) adj. showing little interest; inactive or indifferent
derivatives: listlessly, listlessness
“But Mama was listless and Esperanza often found her weeping in silence” (161).
8.
grotto (grot toh) n. a small cave or cavelike structure
derivatives: none
“When she got back to camp, she went behind the cabin to pray in front of the washtub
grotto” (164).
9.
repatriation (ree pey tree eh shun) n. the act of sending back a person to his or her
country or land of citizenship
derivatives: repatriate, repatriable
“‘Repatriation,’ said Marta’s aunt. ‘La migra—the immigration authorities—round up
people who cause problems and check their papers’” (170).
10.
riveted (riv uh tid) v. to hold firmly
derivatives: none
“Esperanza’s eyes riveted on the coat and jewelry. She wished she could give Mama a
warm red coat and a pin that sparkled” (177).
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Vocabulary Study: Esperanza Rising
List 5
Los Aguacates—Las Uvas
anguish
animated
bedraggled
despondent
humanity
1.
loamy
regal
spigot
susceptible
taut
taut (tawt) adj. tightly drawn; tense; mentally strained
derivatives: tautly, tautness
“She followed along with others, and tied the canes on the taut wire that was stretched
from post to post” (180).
2.
regal (ree guhl) adj. having to do with kings or royalty; stately or splendid
derivatives: regally, regalness
“She missed her way of walking into a room, graceful and regal” (181).
3.
susceptible (suh sep tuh buhl) adj. likely to be affected by something, predisposed
derivatives: susceptibleness, susceptibly
“This disease, Valley Fever, makes the body tired and susceptible to other
infections” (182–183).
4.
bedraggled (bih drag uhld) adj. limp, untidy, or dirty, as with mud or rain
derivatives: none
“Her hair was strewn and bedraggled” (183).
5.
loamy (lohm ee) adj. a mixture of sand, silt, and clay; earth or soil
derivatives: loam, loaminess
“And even though it was still cool, there was an expectancy that Esperanza could smell, a
rich loamy odor that promised spring” (186).
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Vocabulary Study: Esperanza Rising
6.
spigot (spig uht) n. a faucet or tap that controls the flow of liquid
derivatives: none
“Near each spigot were pots and pans and campfire rings, the makings of outdoor
kitchens” (193).
7.
humanity (hyoo man i tee) n. the human race, the quality of kindness and benevolence
that are part of the human race; the humanities: college courses in language, literature, or
philosophy
derivatives: none
“In an irrigation ditch, women were washing clothes, and children were bathing at the
same time. Clotheslines ran everywhere. It was a great jumble of humanity and
confusion” (193).
8.
animated (an uh may tid) adj. full of life, action, or spirit; a representation that moves as
if it is alive
derivatives: animatedly, nonanimated, overanimated
“She watched Miguel’s animated face, thinking that at last, his dream was coming
true” (198).
9.
despondent (dih spon duhnt) adj. downcast or disheartened; lacking hope or courage
derivatives: despondence, despondency, despondently
“Esperanza and the other women watched the despondent faces in the windows
disappear” (207).
10.
anguish (ang gwish) n. acute distress, suffering, or pain
derivatives: none
“She was relieved but still imagined the anguish of the strikers” (207–208).
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Vocabulary Study: Esperanza Rising
Fill-in-the-Blank Activity
Esperanza Rising
Using the vocabulary words listed below, fill in the blanks with suitable word choices. Each
word or a derivative of the word is used once. The answers may or may not be used in the same
plot context as in the original quotations, but they do correspond to the characters and events in
the novel.
Las Uvas—Las Papayas
crochet
premonition
condolences
pretentious
devious
pungent
indignation
scythe
methodically
tallow
1.
The compesinos who worked on El Rancho de las Rosas used ___________________ to
cut the grass growing on the farm land.
2.
Abuelita has taught Esperanza to ________________________, a hobby she does not
really enjoy.
3.
Rather than becoming angry when Esperanza behaves __________________________ ,
Miguel calls her mi reina and laughs.
4.
The _____________________ of the candles grows smaller and smaller as Esperanza
anxiously waits for Papa to return from the fields.
5.
When Esperanza hears the terrible news about Papa, she realizes her ________________
has been correct.
6.
Even though her uncles express their ________________________, they do not seem
overly saddened by the death of their brother.
7.
After Papa’s death, Esperanza__________________________ examines each of the
roses in his garden, finding comfort in their delicate blooms.
8.
Tío Luis has a _________________________________ plan that will force Mama to
accept his proposal.
9.
The rotting papayas give off a _________________________ aroma which serves as a
sad reminder of her father’s sweet intentions.
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Vocabulary Study: Esperanza Rising
10.
Mama _____________________________ refuses to marry Tío Luis even though he
threatens that she will regret her decision.
alms
doting
indebted
intact
penetrate
Los Higos—Las Guayabas
reeked
renegades
silhouetted
undulating
waif
1.
As the house burns, the air _______________________ of smoke and ash, burning
Esperanza’s nose and irritating her eyes.
2.
Now that Esperanza has lost her _____________________________ father, she and
Mama must flee their homeland for the United States.
3.
Mama explains to Esperanza that they are now ______________________ to Miguel,
Alphonso, and Hortensia for their help.
4.
For the first time in her life, Esperanza and Mama have no ____________________ to
give those less fortunate than themselves.
5.
The wagon ride to Zacatecas is dangerous because her uncles have many spies and the
country is full of _______________________________ looking for people to rob.
6.
Esperanza can feel the rhythm of the train as it ______________________ underneath
her.
7.
Looking out the window, Esperanza sees the mountains in the distance as only a
____________________________ against the dark sky.
8.
Afraid it might be broken, Esperanza checks her valise to make sure the porcelain doll in
still _____________________
9.
Sadness and anger ____________________________ Esperanza’s mind when she
realizes that she is no longer part of the privileged, wealthy class.
10.
In a very short span of time, Esperanza changes from a happy girl with lots of friends to a
sad and lonely little __________________________.
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Vocabulary Study: Esperanza Rising
accosting
cherubs
deliberately
disembark
smirked
Los Melones—Las Cebollas
sparse
staccato
untethered
valise
vigorously
1.
When Mama tells the immigration official she is entering the United States for work, he
_______________________ at her and rudely replies, “What work?”
2.
Once they enter the United States, Esperanza and her mother ____________________ on
a new life.
3.
When they arrive in the camp, it does not take Esperanza long to unpack her few
belongings from her ___________________.
4.
Esperanza is shocked at the ________________________ furnished cabin with only a
table and chairs and mattresses on the floor.
5.
Marta ___________________________ tries to insult Esperanza by making rude remarks
to her in front of Isabel and Miguel.
6.
Esperanza does not know how to sweep the platform because she has never been required
to do _____________________________ work.
7.
As she struggles to use the broom, Esperanza is _____________________ by Marta who
tauntingly calls her Cinderella.
8.
The ______________________ crying of Pepe and Lupe alerts Esperanza to the fact that
they need their diapers changed.
9.
Esperanza no longer has the freedom to play, and she longs for the days when she was
______________________________ by responsibilities.
10.
Isabel looks like a sleeping ___________________________ as she dreams of
Esperanza’s former life full of fiestas and pretty dresses.
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Vocabulary Study: Esperanza Rising
atrocious
extravagant
grotto
immunized
listless
Las Almendras—Las Papas
preoccupied
repatriation
riveted
taunting
trellis
1.
Bringing her Papa’s roses all the way from Mexico is a/an ______________________
gesture of friendship toward Esperanza from Miguel and his father.
2.
The rose bushes are only stubs, but the branches will soon grow up the
_____________________________and produce beautiful flowers.
3.
In Aguascalientes the shrines to Our Lady of Guadalupe were beautifully decorated
__________________________, but in the migrant camp, Esperanza prays to Our Lady
in front of a washtub.
4.
Marta encourages the workers to strike because of the low wages and ________________
living conditions in some of the migrant camps.
5.
Most of the workers in Esperanza’s camp fear that ____________________________
would be the result of a strike, not higher wages.
6.
During the dust storm, Isabel is ___________________________ with thoughts of
her kitten and its safety.
7.
Valley Fever causes Mama to become pale and _____________________.
8.
Unfortunately, the doctors could not __________________________ patients against
Valley Fever; the body must develop a natural defense against the infection.
9.
Miguel stops his friendly __________________________ of Esperanza after Mama
becomes ill, and helps her find work in the potato sheds.
10.
Esperanza’s eyes are __________________________ on the doctor as he says the grim
words, “If she survives.”
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Vocabulary Study: Esperanza Rising
Los Aguacates—Las Uvas
anguish
animated
bedraggled
despondent
humanity
loamy
regal
spigot
susceptible
taut
1.
The longer Mama is in the hospital, the more worried and _______________________
Esperanza becomes.
2.
Esperanza longs for Mama to be ________________________ and full of life once more.
3.
Marta continues to speak out for the ___________________________ migrant workers
and tells them higher wages will help ease the pain of their circumstances.
4.
Esperanza stops at the _________________________ to wash the dirt from her hands,
noticing how ugly and calloused they have become.
5.
Hortensia replaces the ______________________ substance that covered Esperanza’s
hands with a mixture of avocado and glycerin.
6.
The owner of the farm builds a swimming pool for the migrant workers, but the Mexican
workers are only allowed to swim on the day before they clean the pool because they are
viewed as dirtier and more ___________________________ than the workers from
Oklahoma.
7.
The doctor warns Esperanza not to visit her mother in the hospital because in her
weakened condition, she is very ________________________________ to any germs.
8.
When Miguel and Esperanza argue, his lips become _______________________ with
anger.
9.
To Esperanza, Abuelita is as __________________________ as any queen when she
arrives in the migrant camp.
10.
Esperanza’s faith in ____________________________ is restored when she learns that
Miguel has not taken her money for himself but has used it to bring her, Mama, and
Abuelito together again.
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Vocabulary Study: Esperanza Rising
Multiple Choice Quiz
Esperanza Rising
Answers may be the vocabulary words from your list or any of the derivatives.
1. to pass through
a. bedraggle
b. immunize
c. penetrate
d. accost
e. taunt
7. absorbed in an activity
a. indebted
b. bedraggled
c. preoccupied
d. reeked
e. animated
2. not tied or limited
a. preoccupied
b. taut
c. susceptible
d. intentional
e. untethered
8. disheartened or depressed
a. bedraggled
b. susceptible
c. despondent
d. untethered
e. silhouetted
3. mocking or jeering
a. undulating
b. taunting
c. doting
d. disembarking
e. accosting
9. shockingly wicked or cruel
a. regal
b. taut
c. taunting
d. doting
e. atrocious
4. to go ashore
a. disembark
b. penetrate
c. bedraggle
d. accost
e. rivet
10. a long curved blade
a. alms
b. waif
c. trellis
d. scythe
e. crochet
5. showing little interest, inactive
a. reeked
b. susceptible
c. regal
d. listless
e. doting
11. an omen or portent
a. premonition
b. repatriation
c. silhouette
d. scythe
e. cherub
6. left complete or whole
a. indebted
b. intact
c. immunized
d. silhouetted
e. animated
12. smile in a smug way
a. accost
b. smirk
c. dote
d. reek
e. rivet
Copyright © 2013 National Math + Science Initiative. This work is made available under a Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States license, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/deed.en_US.
Vocabulary Study: Esperanza Rising
13. anything given in charity
a. anguish
b. crochet
c. scythe
d. premonition
e. alms
19. having to do with kings or royalty
a. spigots
b. loamy
c. regal
d. cherubs
e. grottos
14. wavelike motion or ripples
a. animations
b. taunting
c. undulating
d. crocheting
e. smirking
20. obligated to repay
a. devious
b. indebted
c. intact
d. untethered
e. pretentious
15. limp, untidy, or dirty
a. bedraggled
b. animated
c. despondent
d. renegade
e. humanity
21. righteous anger
a. despondent
b. pungent
c. repatriation
d. immunization
e. indignation
16. an outward show, assuming dignity
a. animated
b. humanity
c. atrocious
d. pretentious
e. taunting
22. a faucet or tap
a. trellis
b. scythe
c. waif
d. valise
e. spigot
17. having a strong odor
a. renegade
b. alms
c. scythe
d. pungent
e. valise
23. a lost person without friends
a. cherub
b. renegade
c. waif
d. grotto
e. humanity
18. expressions of sympathy
a. condolence
b. alms
c. cherubs
d. premonitions
e. silhouettes
24. strongly, with energy
a. deviously
b. vigorously
c. pungently
d. tautly
e. extravagantly
Copyright © 2013 National Math + Science Initiative. This work is made available under a Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States license, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/deed.en_US.
Vocabulary Study: Esperanza Rising
25. an innocent or angelic child
a. regal
b. waif
c. valise
d. cherub
e. trellis
Copyright © 2013 National Math + Science Initiative. This work is made available under a Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States license, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/deed.en_US.
Vocabulary Study
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Writing Activity
In a well-written essay, analyze how the relationship between Esperanza and Miguel develops
during the course of the novel.
• Begin by identifying the type of relationship Esperanza and Miguel have at the beginning
of the novel.
• Explain how the relationship changes as a result of the conflicts the characters
experience and the events that take place in the story.
• Conclude by identifying the type of relationship Esperanza and Miguel have at the end of
the story.
In your essay be sure to cite specific incidents and quotations that reveal each character’s attitude
toward the other.
Copyright © 2013 National Math + Science Initiative. This work is made available under a Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States license, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/deed.en_US.