Deck 1 Flashcards
plummet
She struggled to hold a big metal object in her arms as she plummeted towards the ground.
To fall straight down
brass
She pointed at the object. It was round and made of brass, with a glass front like that of a clock.
A yellowish metal
nudge
Terence nudged the object with his foot.
To push against gently
dismayed
Twire looked dismayed
Upset
tarnished
“See how tarnished the brass is?”
To lose shine
To become dull
To become discoloured
gleeful
“It’s broken!” Twire cried gleefully
Joyful
Happy
scowl
Twire scowled at Tink.
To draw down the eyebrows in an angry way
hover
Tink shook her head. She wished he weren’t hovering so close.
To stay near a place
To stay near a person
darted
The compass rolled into the room. It headed straight towards Tink’s worktable. Terence darted forwards to stop it.
To move suddenly and quickly
harsh
Perhaps she’d spoken a little too harshly.
Being unkind
Being unpleasant
examine
She examined the crumpled bowl.
To look at carefully
To inspect carefully
vow
“I’ll leave Tink alone from now on,” Terence vowed.
To make a promise
awe
The light shimmered with all of the bright colours of the rainbow. Terence and Iridessa watched in awe.
A feeling of wonder
A feeling of admiration
spiral
Tink saw every detail of the Pixie Dust Tree, from its spiralling branches to its sturdy roots.
Winding around a center
Twisting around a center
sturdy
Tink saw every detail of the Pixie Dust Tree, from its spiralling branches to its sturdy roots.
Strongly made
retreated
The creature retreated to the other end of the branch.
To go backward
bared
The possum bared her sharp teeth.
To uncover
To expose
To show
anchor
She tied the cord to a tree-root to anchor it, unrolled her blanket and curled up on a leaf.
To fix firmly in place
To fix securely in place
clutch
The carrier drifted over the top of a towering palm tree and was gone. Tink clutched her head in horror.
To hold tightly
To grasp tightly
emerge
Cubby, Nibs and the Twins emerged out from their hiding places.
To come into view
To come out
solemn
“Poor Tootles has been eaten by a tiger.” Tink landed on Peter Pan’s shoulder and solemnly dimmed her glow.
Gloomy
Serious
swivel
All heads swivelled to look at the tiger.
To turn
poised
They flung the door open and saw Agatha poised with arm outstretched towards the sleeping Miss Cackle.
Not moving
Ready for something
scene
Miss Cackle was now sitting up in bed, a look of complete astonishment on her face, as this amazing scene took place in front of her.
A show of improper behaviour
masquerading
“You mean my sister, Agatha, has been right here under my very nose all this time masquerading as Miss Granite?”
To disguise oneself
To wear a mask or disguise
hurled
The three friends hurled themselves at the person coming through the gate and flung her to the ground.
To throw something with force
collapse
They all collapsed on to the floor.
To fall down suddenly
sheepish
Mildred and Enid sheepishly helped Miss Hardbroom to her feet.
Feeling embarrassed
retrieve
Maud retrieved Miss Hardbroom’s hat which was squased almost completely flat where everyone had fallen on it.
When Sally retrieved Jane’s doll from the river, mum said “Thank you so much Sally! You are the best!”
To get back
To bring back
To fetch
emitting
Miss Hardbroom was so angry that she was emitting tiny sparks and puffs of purple smoke from her ears.
To give out
To send out
implore
The girls gazed across imploringly at Miss Cackle, who came to their rescue
To beg for something in a very serious way
To ask for something in an emotional way
invasion
“Let me quickly explain to you that, in five minutes’ time, we are yet again expecting an invasion of the school by evil witches.”
A sudden attack
A raid
A sudden entrance into a hostile place
appalling
We are expecting an invasion of the school by evil witches, masterminded by my appalling sister Agatha
Horrible
Nasty
Awful
mastermind
We are expecting an invasion of the school by evil witches, masterminded by my appalling sister, Agatha.
To plan something
A person who plans something
disguise
In fact, she is not a teacher at all, she is my evil twin sister in disguise.
To change the usual appearance of someone so that people will not recognize them
plot
“Fortunately, MIldred here discovered the plot to turn us all into snails.”
A plan
imprisoned
Mildred has already caught and turned Agatha into a snail and now she is imprisoned in one of her own glass jars.
To be trapped
To be held as a prisoner
precisely
Thre rest are arriving in precisely three minutes from now.
Exactly
stride
She strode across the room towards me.
To walk with very long steps.
helm
“It’s obvious what to do, Miss Cackle,” she said, taking the helm at once.
To take control
To become the leader
confident
As you look exactly like your sister, just let them in - in a confident way.
Parisha is very confident when she plays tennis.
Having a feeling that you can do something well
usher
“One at a time, ladies,” she whispered into the yard, as she ushered the first witch inside.
To lead someone to a place
contemplate
He contemplated the meaning of the poem for a long time.
To think deeply about something
To think carefully about something
imposter
Mildred had rescued Tabby from his cat-basket prison in the imposter’s room and was holding him very gently.
A person who tricks others by pretending to be someone else
ghastly
“Let’s all have a nice cup of tea! I really think we deserve one after such a ghastly night,” said Miss Cackle.
Very shocking
Very horrible
Very bad
unruly
Mildred does have her moments of unruliness, but she also does have quite an extraordinary knack of being in the right place at the right time.
The unruly students had to go to detention.
Difficult to control
Disobedient
aloft
“Maudy,” whispered Enid, pushing open Maud’s door and holding her candle aloft so that she could see around the room.
In the air
bizarre
She stopped as she was confronted with the bizarre sight of a piece of paper flicking backwards and forwards against Maud’s face, apparently all by itself.
Very strange
Very unusual
propping
“What’s wrong, Enid?” cried Maud in alarm, propping herself up on her elbows.
To support something by placing something under it
laboriously
They held up the candle and immediately saw the ant-Mildred, who had laboriously climbed off the bed, back on to the table, and carefully positioned herself where she would be noticed.
Something needing a lot of time and effort
unease
Maud and Enid looked at each other with growing unease.
Feeling worried
Feeling unhappy
petty
“Don’t be petty, Enid!” said Maud.
Parisha and Tara always fought over petty things.
Not very important
Not very serious
reversal
They found the ant spell, complete with reversal.
To turn backwards
To turn to the opposite thing
vibrate
The air began to vibrate and judder - as if a huge, invisible lorry was passing through the room - and suddenly Mildred was standing on the table in front of them.
To shake
delay
“Come on quickly you two!” she said. “We can’t delay. What time is it?”
Our flight to Spain was delayed.
When something happens later than it should
swarming
“We’ve only got half an hour! They’re all swarming in at two o’clock by the backyard gate.”
To crowd together
To move in a crowd
garbled
Mildred managed a very fast, rather garbled explanation about Miss Granite really being Agatha and the plot to take over the school and how she had locked Mildred in the cupboard.
To jumble
To be mixed up
To be confusing
transformation
Mildred explained the ant transformation that was done so that she could sneak under the door and raise the alarm.
To change something completely
ruthless
“We’ll have to be really quiet. Agatha is planning this like a battle campaign and she’s absolutely ruthless.”
Cruel
Having no compassion
Having no pity
hostile
When Amy told Jessica that she wasn’t invited to her birthday party, Jessica became very hostile.
Unfriendly
unique
“You’re unique!” laughed Enid. “The one and only, never-to-be-repeated Mildred Hubble!”
Very special
Being the only one
One of a kind
draping
“I know it sounds a bit weird,” said Mildred, draping Tabby over her shoulder and smoothing the fur between his ears…
To hang something
heartily
Maud agreed heartily.
Very cheerful
Very enthusiastic
pining
“I have to admit that I was almost pining for some law and order over the last few days!”
A strong wish for something
materialized
Miss Hardbroom materialized with a whoosh at the entrance to the Form Three bedrooms.
To appear suddenly
sparrow
He pulled a sparrow feather from his cap.
A type of small bird
startled
Tink gave Terence her silver bowl. “Why?” Terence asked, startled. “For being my friend,” said Tink.
The lightening startled the children and sent them scurrying for cover.
Surprised
To become suddenly frightened
To jump in surprise
idle
We enjoyed the idle days of summer.
Lazy
Not working
deceive
When I heard the crocodiles speak I felt that my ears were deceiving me.
To trick
sniper
The crocodiles were frightened of the snipers.
A person who shoots a gun
canopy
The sunlight broke through the canopy of high leaves.
A covering like a roof
doze
I was so tired that I took a doze.
A short sleep
A nap
confabulation
“Daphne and me have been having a confabulation,” he said.
A chat
expedition
The Year 3 class took an expedition to the North Pole.
A group of people taking a trip
decent
“You seem like a decent person,” said the crocodile.
Kind
Polite
Proper
stammer
” I d-don’t know what you’re talking about!” she stammered.
To speak with a lot of pauses because you are nervous or afraid
wary
The store owner kept a wary eye on him.
Cautious
Not trusting
reassure
The teacher reassured the mother that the accident wouldn’t happen again.
To comfort
To encourage
machete
The boy said, “I have a machete, for clearing my way through the jungle.”
A large, heavy knife
self-defence
The boy said, “I will only use my knife for self-defence.”
To protect yourself
dignity
“I shall return and make my report,” I said with dignity.
Feeling proud
Feeling important
baritone
The Colonel began to sing in a baritone voice.
A male singing voice
seized
Lady Sniper seized the coffee pot and beat upon it with her fork.
Annelise seized the toy from Tara’s hands.
To grab something quickly
To take something forcefully
raucous
Their voices became more raucous with every note.
Loud
Noisy
Rowdy
tremble
When the animals heard the loud noises, they trembled and hid.
To shake because you are afraid or nervous
veranda
We spent out afternoon on the veranda playing Uno.
A porch or balcony
appalled
I was appalled to see my children behaving so badly.
To feel disgusted
To feel shocked
vicious
Samantha screamed when she saw the vicious witch.
Very dangerous
Cruel
Wicked
Evil
hasty
Parisha made a hasty drawing of the princess.
To do something very quickly
belch
She was quite embarrassed when she belched in the middle of class.
A loud, noisy burp
grin
Tara had a big grin on her face while she was eating her gingerbread cookie.
To smile
sheepish
He felt a little sheepish after letting out a big belch in class.
Feeling embarrassed
sympathy
She went to her best friend for sympathy.
To feel sorry for someone
A feeling of support
decompose
“I’ve told you before about eating things before they have had a chance to decompose properly!”
The smell of the decomposing food was disgusting.
To break down into smaller parts
When dead plants or animals slowly break down
cautious
You have to be very cautious when you are driving in the snow.
careful
moisture
After Jane took a long, hot, steaming bath there was a lot of moisture in the bathroom.
damp
wet
rumpled
After Tom rolled around in bed his clothes became very rumpled.
wrinkled
crumpled
exotic
When we went to the aquarium in Spain we saw lots of exotic fish.
Unusual
Strange
Very different
weary
Parisha was weary from working all day.
tired
exquisite
Tara gave Parisha some exquisite flowers.
Very beautiful
Excellent
deceive
Elizabeth’s parents punished her for trying to deceive them.
To trick
larder
Jack went to fetch the biscuits from the larder.
A place where food is stored
venture
We ventured out into the woods.
To go somewhere that is dangerous
indigestion
After eating dinner Jennifer complained of indigestion.
Tummy ache after eating food
wail
The child started wailing after she fell down.
To cry loudly
fury
I could see the fury in her eyes.
To be very angry
dawn
Amy stayed up until dawn.
The time in the morning when daylight first appears
wince
When the nurse put the needle in her arm, the girl winced in pain.
An expression on your face that shows that you are in pain
scold
He scolded the kids for not cleaning up the mess they made in the kitchen.
To speak to someone in an angry way
To tell someone off
startle
The lightening startled the children and sent them running to hide.
To frighten someone
To jump suddenly because you are surprised or frightened
satisfy
John was trying to satisfy his teacher by writing very neatly.
To make someone happy
To make someone pleased
eject
The candy machine ejected the skittles after I put money into it.
The pilot was ejected from the plane when it caught on fire.
To push something out
To throw out
agitate
The students were agitating the teacher by making a lot of noise.
To make someone angry
To annoy someone
anxious
Julie felt very anxious about the math test she was taking at school that day.
Nervous
Worried
Afraid
isolation
Elsa lived in isolation because she was afraid of hurting people with her powers.
Being alone
savage
He was attacked by the savage wolf.
Wild
Fierce
Ferocious
brute
He used brute force to open the door.
“Let go of me, you brute!”
Cruel
Very strong
A cruel man
broad
Johnny had very broad shoulders.
The shop had a broad selection of coats.
Wide
Fat
admire
We gazed out the window and admired the tulips.
To look at something with enjoyment
instincts
Our first instinct was to run.
Cats have a natural hunting instinct.
Something you know without learning it or thinking about it
clasp (jewellery)
Can you fasten the clasp on this bracelet for me?
Something that holds parts of things together
hide (of an animal)
The handbag was made from the hide of a crocodile.
The skin of an animal
listless
The heat outside made everyone feel tired and listless.
Having no energy
Having no interest
doze
Sarah was so tired because she slept very late last night. She kept dozing off at school.
To sleep lightly
To take a nap
flee
When John saw the sniper in school, he fled away.
Parisha came fleeing to my room in the middle of the night after she woke up from her nightmare.
To run away from danger
beckon
She beckoned the waiter to come over.
To signal someone with your hand to tell them to come closer
grizzled
My grandfather had a grizzled beard.
Having grey hair
stubby
My dog has a stubby tail.
Short and fat
flexed
He flexed his arm to show where he had hurt himself.
To bend a body part
blossoming
Her hair smelled like apple blossoms.
I love to see the flowers blossoming in the spring.
A flower
To bloom
jaw
The crocodile opened up his jaws very wide before eating the rabbit.
The two bones of the face where teeth grow
squat
He squatted behind the bush so that he wouldn’t be seen.
To crouch down on the ground
knelt
She knelt on the floor beside her child.
To go down on your knees
To bend your knees onto the ground
dense
They used a machete to cut a path through the dense jungle.
Very crowded
Thick
clasp (hands)
Don’t clasp the kitten too hard because she may get hurt.
To hold something tightly with your hands
rind
We threw away the rind of the watermelon.
The outer skin of some fruits
recluse
My neighbour is a recluse - I only see him about once a year.
A person who lives alone and avoids other people
gesture
I used a hand gesture to tell the man to come over here.
To move your hands and arms to show an idea or feeling
feeble
She is still feeble after having chicken pox.
Very weak
undergrowth
We found lots of interesting insects in the undergrowth.
Small plants, bushes and shrubs growing under tall trees
dusk
The park closes at dusk.
Sunset
When the sky begins to get darker
distraction
It is hard to do my homework with so many distractions.
Something that makes it difficult to think or pay attention
colonel
John’s father is a colonel in the British army.
An officer in the army
victim
There were many victims injured by the shooting.
A person who has been attacked by someone else
A person who has been robbed
A person who has been hurt or killed by someone else
palm
Jane held the ball in the palm of her hand.
The white part of the hand
swell
Steven’s broken ankle swelled badly.
To become larger
To become bigger
heave
She heaved the door shut.
The boy heaved the ball down the field.
To lift or pull something
To throw something
shudder
The house shuddered as the plane flew above it.
To shake
mantelpiece
Joe left his car keys on the mantelpiece.
The shelf on top of a fireplace
immense
Before the volcano erupted, there was immense pressure building up inside the mountain.
Gigantic
Huge
avalanche
He was buried by an avalanche.
A large amount of snow that falls suddenly down a side of a mountain
A large amount of rocks that falls suddenly down a side of a mountain
slither
The snake slithered through the garden.
To move by sliding your entire body back and forth
wither
The plant withered and died.
To become dry and weak
banister
She held the banister tightly.
A handrail along a staircase
sprout
The tree is already sprouting leaves.
To grow
To make new leaves or buds
ivory
Her necklace was made of ivory.
A hard white thing that comes from the tusks of elephants
enraged
His rude behaviour enraged us.
To make someone very angry
plunge
Her car plunged off a bridge.
To jump suddenly from a high place
To fall suddenly from a high place
indignant
She wrote an indignant letter to her mother.
Very angry
Enraged
nuzzle
The dog nuzzled my leg.
To gently rub your nose against someone to show love
gaping
After I fell over, there was a gaping hole in my trousers.
Wide open
reeds
The cows liked to eat the reeds at the edge of the pond.
A tall thin grass that grows in wet areas
churn
The motorboats churned the water.
To stir something
To mix something
erupt
The volcano erupted with tremendous force.
To come out in a sudden explosion
To send out rocks, lava and ash in a sudden explosion
cloak
The princess wore a cloak to the ball.
A piece of cloth that is worn over the shoulders and has no sleeves
Cape
magma
The magma deep below was ready to erupt from the volcano.
Hot liquid rock below the surface of the Earth
dormant
Mount St. Helens had been a dormant volcano for 123 years.
Asleep
Not doing anything
Not active
summit
The passengers could see the summit of the mountain from the window of the airplane.
The top of a mountain
pelt
The children pelted snowballs at the adults.
To throw
glacier
When we took an expedition to the North Pole we saw lots of glaciers.
A very large area of ice that moves slowly down a slope or area of land
engulf
As the hurricane approached, the high waves engulfed the ship.
To flow over and cover something
horseshoe
The lake was in a shape of a horseshoe.
A U-shaped piece of iron that is nailed to the bottom of a horse’s hoof
crater
After the volcano erupted, it left a huge crater.
A large round hole in the ground made by the explosion of a bomb or by something falling from the sky
blacksmith
We asked the blacksmith to make new horseshoes for the horses at the farm.
A person who makes or repairs things made of iron (such as horseshoes)
smolder
The remains of the campfire smoldered.
To burn slowly without flames but usually with a lot of smoke
dome
The team’s new stadium is a dome.
A large rounded roof that looks like half of a ball
turret
The witches flew past the turrets of the castle.
A little tower
mist
We could not see the castle on top of the hill due to the mist.
Very small drops of water floating in the air
irate
My mother was irate when she found that I had spilled juice on the floor.
Very angry
isle
The Australian seas are full of uninhabited isles.
Island
jagged
When the window broke there was a big jagged piece of glass left.
Having a sharp, uneven edge
jockey
I was cheering the jockey on at the races.
Someone who rides horses in races
moor
We found a harbor and moored the ship there for the night.
To hold a ship in place with ropes or an anchor
obese
Jessica was teased at school because she was so obese.
Very fat
iron
The earth’s core is made of iron and nickel.
A heavy type of metal
nickel
The earth’s core is made of iron and nickel.
A hard silver-white metal
jostle
Everyone in the crowd was jostling each other trying to get in the front.
To push and shove in a crowd
continent
I have visited two continents during my summer holidays: North America and Australia.
One of the great divisions of land such as: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia or Antarctica
collide
Two football players collided on the field.
To crash into something
decade
My dog Raja died a decade ago.
10 years
century
It took more than a century to build the church.
100 years
conceal
The sunglasses conceal her eyes.
To hide something
To keep something secret
cinder
Cinders from the camp fire floated through the air.
A very small piece of burned wood or coal
fumes
Everyone was coughing after they breathed in the fumes from the fire.
Smoke
