English_ConversationWord

Question 1

wail

e.g. Gappy Nappy was always wailing, ‘I’m leaking!’
e.g. “What are we going to do?” Kirsty wailed as she watched Rachel running away from the goblin.

Answer 1

[v] to make a long, high cry, usually because of pain or sadness

“My finger hurts,” wailed the child.

Question 2

splutter

e.g. ‘But… but… TJ Fizz is coming,’

Answer 2

[v] to speak in a quick and confused way, producing short, unclear noises because of surprise, anger

Question 3

howl

e.g. ‘NOOOOOOOO!’ howled Henry.

Answer 3

[v] to make a loud sound, usually to express pain, sadness, or another strong emotion

e.g.1 An injured dog lay in the middle of the road, howling with/in pain.

e.g.2 The opposition howled down the government’s proposal (= shouted loudly to express disapproval).

Question 4

gritted his teeth

e.g. ‘AAARRRGGGGHHH!’ Horrid Henry gritted his teeth.

Answer 4

[v] to press your top and bottom teeth together, often in anger

e.g. He gritted his teeth in silent fury.

Question 5

bellow

e.g. What if he joined in the singing? He could bellow:
Oh I’m a soggy nappy….

Answer 5

[v] to shout in a loud voice, or (of a cow or large animal) to make a loud, deep sound

e.g. “Keep quiet!” the teacher bellowed across the room.

Question 6

squeal

e.g. ‘Me! Me!’ squealed Miss Lovely’s class.

Answer 6

[v] to make a long, very high sound or cry

e.g.1 The brakes squealed as the van rounded the corner.
e.g.2 The two children squealed with joy.

Question 7

screech

e.g. ‘Help! Help! I’m being attacked by a nappy!’ screeched Henry.

Answer 7

[v] to make an unpleasant, loud, high noise:

e.g. “Don’t you dare touch me!” she screeched.

Question 8

sneer

e.g. “As if I’d ever be jealous of you, worm,” sneered Henry.

Answer 8

[v] to show that you have no respect for somebody by the expression on your face or by the way you speak

e.g.1 ‘You? A singer?’ she sneered.
e.g.2 sneer (at somebody/something) He sneered at people who liked pop music.

Question 9

snarl

e.g. “Gimme that!” snarled Henry, snatching Peter’s book.

Answer 9

[v] to speak in a rough, low, angry voice

e.g. + speech (at somebody) ‘Get out of here!’ he snarled.

Question 10

moan

“Not handkerchiefs again,” moaned Horrid Henry.

Answer 10

[v] to make a long deep sound, usually because you are unhappy or suffering

synonym: groan

Question 11

squeak

e.g. “Don’t tear the wrapping paper!” squeaked Perfect Peter.

Answer 11

[v] to speak in a very high voice, especially when you are nervous or excited

e.g. ‘Let go of me!’ he squeaked nervously.

Question 12

snap

e.g. “Henry, don’t be horrid!” snapped Dad.

Answer 12

[v] to speak or say something in an impatient, usually angry, voice

e.g. ‘Don’t just stand there,’ she snapped.

Question 13

holler

e.g. “All right!” he hollered.

Answer 13

[v] to shout loudly
SYNONYM yell

Question 14

bawl

e.g. “Traitors!” bawled the goblins.

Answer 14

[v] to shout loudly, especially in an unpleasant or angry way

Question 15

marvel

e.g. Rachel blinked. “That’s amazing!” she marvelled.

Answer 15

[v] to show or experience great surprise or admiration

e.g. “Just look at that waterfall! Isn’t it amazing?” she marvelled.

Question 16

chip in

e.g. “With our Magic Sporty Objects,” Francesca told her. “I have a Magic Football, Alice has a Magic Tennis Racquet…”
“Not any more, though,” Alice chipped in sadly. “Because out Magic Sporty Objects have been stolen.”

Answer 16

[v] (informal) join or interrupt a conversation by making a remark.

e.g. ‘He’s right,’ Gloria chipped in.

Question 17

murmur

e.g. “Raisins…shelf…” murmured Arthur.

Answer 17

[v] to say something in a soft quiet voice that is difficult to hear or understand

Question 18

trail away/off

e.g. “There!” Arthur said suddenly. “Coming toward - Oh! Oh, my …”
His voice trailed away.

Answer 18

[phrasal verb] When a person’s voice or a similar sound trails away/off, it becomes quieter and less confident and then stops completely

e.g.1 His voice trailed away to nothing.
e.g.2 ‘I only hope…’, she trailed off.

Question 19

said/called through gritted teeth

e.g. “Yes, Miss,” Tony called through gritted teeth.

Answer 19

[v] to bite your teeth tightly together

e.g. ‘Stop it!’ he said through gritted teeth.

Question 20

whimper

e.g. Tony Trebelli whimpered. “No way am I telling any more lies,” he said.

Answer 20

[v] to make low, weak crying noises; to speak in this way

e.g. ‘Don’t leave me alone,’ he whimpered.

Question 21

groan

e.g. “I can’t believe tomorrow is my last day here,” groaned Rachel Walker.

Answer 21

[v] to make a long deep sound because you are annoyed, upset or in pain

Question 22

snap

“Who said that?” the goblin snapped.

Answer 22

[v] to speak or say something in an impatient, usually angry, voice

e.g. ‘Don’t just stand there,’ she snapped.