The Teacher of Nomad Land: Chapters 8–12

by Daniel Nayeri
In this historical fiction novel, a boy and his sister trek across Iran during the Allied invasion of WWII.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–7, Chapters 8–12, Chapters 13–19, Chapters 20–28
15 words 8 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. outcrop
    the part of a rock formation that appears above the surface
    They will settle here for the night on an outcrop of volcanic boulders nestled in the high hills of the grass country.
  2. sustain
    provide with nourishment
    All along the migration routes through the Zagros Mountains the Bakhtiari tribes cultivate wild gardens just off the beaten paths to sustain themselves along the way.
  3. copse
    a dense growth of trees, shrubs, or bushes
    Babak watches as a few of the boys return from a nearby copse of trees holding armfuls of a long green acorn.
  4. intently
    with strained or eager attention
    She watches it intently.
  5. apathy
    an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
    How would we measure such a thing when God is so great that His displeasure could erase creation, even His apathy could blow the breath of life out of our lungs or blot out the sun.
  6. immeasurable
    impossible to calculate
    The least of His consideration is immeasurable blessing, no?
  7. embedded
    enclosed firmly in a surrounding mass
    A trio of older boys around his age are tending the horses and pack animals, checking their hooves for embedded rocks, rubbing their backs where the saddles’ straps had been.
  8. rowdy
    disturbing the public peace; loud and rough
    He laughs as he tries to calm them again, but the laughter curdles in his mouth when he sees Mr. Hussein standing by the horses, scowling at the rowdy children.
  9. interject
    speak abruptly, especially as an interruption
    Traveler interjects, but Babak can see he has no argument.
  10. wrench
    twist or pull violently or suddenly
    He thinks, “Baba gave me love. I wasn’t supposed to wrench it from his hardened fist. A father just gives it, like water.”
  11. inhospitable
    lacking cordiality and generosity toward guests or strangers
    “He isn’t usually so…inhospitable.”
  12. encumbered
    loaded to excess or impeded by a heavy load
    He is a bone-sore mule who is tired and too encumbered to turn his head and look behind him, even when he hears rustling sounds.
  13. sheathe
    enclose with a protective covering
    The man sheathes his knife at his belt and unties the parcel.
  14. faction
    a dissenting clique
    He knows not to make any comment for either side until he discovers Vulf’s faction.
  15. involuntary
    without conscious control
    When Vulf bites into it, he makes a noise. Mmm, an involuntary sound of pleasure.
Created on Fri Nov 06 03:04:59 EST 2026 (updated Mon Nov 09 12:47:48 EST 2026)

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