Moko Magic: Carnival Chaos: Chapters 20–23

by Tracey Baptiste
In the first book of the Moko Magic series, cousins Misty, Aiden, and Brooke struggle with new supernatural powers and important responsibilities while also trying to enjoy carnival season.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–4, Chapters 5–8, Chapters 9–14, Chapters 15–19, Chapters 20–23, Chapters 24–27, Chapters 28–35, Chapters 36–41, Chapters 42–52
25 words 13 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. jumpy
    in a very tense state
    “Why are you so jumpy?”
  2. vinyl
    shiny, tough, and flexible plastic
    As they turned onto the street with the pan yard, the last threads of daylight lit up a large vinyl sign that hung on a chain-link fence, announcing the name of the band.
  3. waning
    a gradual decrease in magnitude or extent
    Their logo, a person wearing a grass skirt and beating two large bass pans, glowed in the waning light.
  4. disparage
    express a negative opinion of
    “I don’t mean to disparage you, but…” She held up one of Misty’s arms using two fingers.
  5. discernable
    able to be perceived by the senses or intellect
    The musicians hung back as the three cousins gave it a try, making an absolute uproar with no discernable melody whatsoever.
  6. mere
    being nothing more than specified
    It was hands up, shoulders swaying, hips wining, and feet chipping for two solid hours that felt like mere minutes.
  7. staccato
    a series of sharp, distinct sounds
    The Steel Biloko moved seamlessly from one calypso to another, blending old-time kaiso with their slower, steadier beats, to more modern soca, with their fervent rhythms and occasional staccato designed to make listeners want to jump as they danced.
  8. percussion
    section of a band or orchestra that plays struck instruments
    The notes were sharp and piercing, and the percussion pulsed deep inside the creature’s body.
  9. endure
    undergo or be subjected to
    But for now, the creature had to endure other sounds.
  10. coax
    influence or persuade by gentle and persistent urging
    “Sometimes I can coax him to get something off a high shelf, though,” Misty’s mum said.
  11. tang
    a tart spicy quality
    All of a sudden, the music had more bounce to it, and the notes hit a little on edge, but in a really good way, like they had a bit of tang to them, too.
  12. partake
    have, give, or receive a share of
    The only one who didn’t partake was the backoo.
  13. anticipation
    the act of predicting, as by reasoning about the future
    Her fingers squished into the sides, and her mouth tingled and watered with anticipation.
  14. delicacy
    something considered choice to eat
    But instead of popping the entire thing into her mouth like everyone else, she nibbled at the sticky, grainy delicacy, letting the sugar and tamarind pulp melt on her tongue.
  15. ovation
    enthusiastic recognition
    When the last few notes rang out in the air, echoing off the walls of the surrounding buildings, the crowd erupted in applause and whistles, and the ovation was echoed by people hanging out of their apartment windows.
  16. framework
    a structure supporting or containing something
    He pointed to the top of the pan framework.
  17. protruding
    extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
    He was thin and long with knobby knees and sharp, protruding joints.
  18. unspoken
    expressed without verbal communication
    It was the unspoken hush of I am going to show you a thing.
  19. vantage
    place or situation affording some benefit
    From this new vantage point, she could see Uncle Stephan’s head looming above the equipment and the rest of them only through the bars of the pan frame.
  20. committee
    a special group delegated to consider some matter
    The parade committee had arranged for a band to back up the young calypsonians, and the only rehearsal time was this morning.
  21. triplet
    a set of three similar things considered as a unit
    Especially since the whole moko triplet thing began, he was feeling a little too connected.
  22. auditorium
    the area of a theater or hall where the audience sits
    In the auditorium, half a dozen kids were sitting with their parents.
  23. moderate
    marked by avoidance of extravagance or extremes
    It was an older style with a moderate beat, and the kid waited a few notes before coming in.
  24. transition
    the act of passing from one state or place to the next
    They stayed in their seats through the next act, but in the transition to the following singer, Aidan’s dad nodded, and they both split to opposite ends of the auditorium.
  25. ripple
    stir up so as to form small waves
    Aidan was supposed to do the same from his end, but when he saw the stage curtain ripple, he had a feeling he should check there first.
Created on Tue Dec 03 03:29:42 EST 2024 (updated Wed Dec 04 14:44:18 EST 2024)

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