Chapter 3

Question 1

onslaught

Answer 1

“His fists were half cocked, as if expecting an onslaught from both of us.” (pg. 23)

noun

1. A fierce or destructive attack.
2. A large quantity of people or things that is difficult to cope with.

Question 2

speculation

Answer 2

“I stomped at him to chase him away, but Jem put out his hand and stopped me. He examined Walter with an air of speculation.” (pg. 23)

noun

1. The forming of a theory or conjecture without firm evidence.
2. Investment in stocks, property, or other ventures in the hope of gain but with the risk of loss.

Question 3

dispensation

Answer 3

“Jem’s free dispensation of my pledge irked me, but precious noontime minutes were ticking away.” (pg. 23)

noun

1. Exemption from a rule or usual requirement.
2. A system of order, government, or organization of a nation, community, etc., especially as existing at a particular time.

Question 4

irked

Answer 4

“Jem’s free dispensation of my pledge irked me, but precious noontime minutes were ticking away.” (pg. 23)

verb

1. irritate; annoy.

Question 5

cordially

Answer 5

” “A hain’t lives there,” he said cordially, pointing to the Radley house. “Ever hear about him, Walter?” “ (pg. 23)

adverb

1. in an heartly manner.

Question 6

expounding

Answer 6

“Atticus was expounding upon farm problems when Walter interrupted to ask if there was any molasses in the house.” (pg. 24)

verb

1. Present and explain (a theory or idea) systematically and in detail.
2. Explain the meaning of (a literary or doctrinal work).

Question 7

erratic

Answer 7

“She was furious, and when she was furious Calpurnia’s grammar became erratic.” (pg. 24)

verb

1. Not even or regular in pattern or movement; unpredictable.

noun [GEOLOGY]

1. A rock or boulder that differs from the surrounding rock and is believed to have been brought from a distance by glacial action.

Question 8

tranquility

Answer 8

“When in tranquility, her grammar was as good as anybody’s in Maycomb.” (pg. 24)

noun

1. The quality or state of being tranquil; calm.

Question 9

retrieved

Answer 9

“I retrieved my plate and finished dinner in the kitchen, thankful, though, that I was spared the humiliation of facing them again.” (pg. 25)

verb

1. Get or bring (something) back; regain possession of.

Question 10

sprint

Answer 10

“Jem and Walter returned to school ahead of me: staying behind to advise Atticus of Calpurnia’s iniquities was worth a solitary sprint past the Radley Place.” (pg. 25)

verb

1. Run at full speed over a short distance.

noun

1. An act or short spell of running at full speed.

Question 11

iniquities

Answer 11

“Jem and Walter returned to school ahead of me: staying behind to advise Atticus of Calpurnia’s iniquities was worth a solitary sprint past the Radley Place.” (pg. 25)

noun

1. Immoral or grossly unfair behavior.

Question 12

flinty

Answer 12

“Atticus’s voice was flinty.” (pg. 25)

adjective

1. of, containing, or reminiscent of flint.

Question 13

persevere

Answer 13

“Apparently she had revived enough to persevere in her profession.” (pg. 25)

verb

1. Continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success.

Question 14

furor

Answer 14

“The cootie’s host showed not the faintest interest in the furor he had wrought.” (pg. 26)

noun

1. An outbreak of public anger or excitement.

Question 15

contentious

Answer 15

““Ain’t got no mother,” was the answer, “and their paw’s right contentious.”” (pg. 27)

adjective

1. Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.
2. Involving heated argument.
3. (of a person) Given to arguing or provoking argument.

Question 16

condescension

Answer 16

“The boy’s condescension flashed to anger.” (pg. 27)

noun

1. an attitude of patronizing superiority; disdain.

Question 17

contemptuous

Answer 17

“The boy did not answer. He gave a short contemptuous snort.” (pg. 27)

adjective

1. Showing contempt; scornful.

Question 18

diminutive

Answer 18

“He was among the most diminutive of men, but when Burris Ewell turned toward him, Little Chuck’s right hand went to his pocket.” (pg. 27)

adjective

1. Extremely or unusually small.

noun

1. A smaller or shorter thing, in particular.

Question 19

dispersed

Answer 19

“Miss Caroline smiled, blew her nose, said, “Thank you, darlings,” dispersed us, opened a book and mystified the first grade with a long narrative about a toadfrog that lived in a hall.” (pg. 28)

verb

1. Distribute or spread over a wide area.
2. Go or cause to go in different directions or to different destinations.
3. (with reference to gas, smoke, mist, or cloud) Thin out or cause to thin out and disappear.

Question 20

fraught

Answer 20

“If the remainder of the school year were as fraught with drama as the first day, perhaps it would be mildly entertaining, but the prospect of spending nine months refraining from reading and writing made me think of running away.” (pg. 28)

adjective

1. (of a situation or course of action) Filled with or destined to result in (something undesirable).
2. Causing or affected by great anxiety or stress.

Question 21

monosyllabic

Answer 21

“My replies were monosyllabic and he did not press me.” (pg. 28)

adjective

1. (of a word or utterance) Consisting of one syllable.
2. (of a person) Using brief words to signify reluctance to engage in conversation.

Question 22

fractious

Answer 22

“She had always been too hard on me, she had at last seen the error of her fractious ways, she was sorry and too stubborn to say so. I was weary from the day’s crimes.” (pg. 29)

adjective

1. (typically of children) Irritable and quarrelsome.
2. (of a group or organization) Difficult to control; unruly.

Question 23

amiable

Answer 23

“He waited in amiable silence, and I sought to reinforce my position” (pg. 29)

adjective

1. Having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner.

Question 24

crackling bread

Answer 24

“It was not often that she made crackling bread, she said she never had time, but with both of us at school today had been an easy one for her.” (pg. 29)

noun

1. Crackling bread is a dish from the Southern United States which consists of cracklings and a type of bread, made of cornmeal.

Question 25

compromise

Answer 25

“When Atticus looked down at me I saw the expression on his face that always made me expect something. “Do you know what a compromise is?” he asked.” (pg. 31)

noun

1. An agreement or a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions.

verb

1. Settle a dispute by mutual concession.
2. Accept standards that are lower than is desirable.

Question 26

gravely

Answer 26

“Atticus kept us in fits that evening, gravely reading columns of print about a man who sat on a flagpole for no discernible reason, which was reason enough for Jem to spend the following Saturday aloft in the treehouse.” (pg. 31)

adverb

1. Something done seriously or somberly, or something that is very serious and bad.

Question 27

aloft

Answer 27

“Atticus kept us in fits that evening, gravely reading columns of print about a man who sat on a flagpole for no discernible reason, which was reason enough for Jem to spend the following Saturday aloft in the treehouse.” (pg. 31)

adjective AND adverb

1. Up in or into the air; overhead.
2. Up the mast or into the rigging of a sailing vessel.

Question 28

auspicious

Answer 28

“The remainder of my schooldays were no more auspicious than the first.” (pg. 31)

adjective

1. Conducive to success; favorable.
2. Giving or being a sign of future success.