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The Most Dangerous Game 
By: Richard Connell 
Click [here] to listen to the story
* Intro to the story (click) 
The Lady, or the Tiger?
By: Frank R. Stockton 
* Intro to the story (click)

Short Stories 

 

 

Vocabulary 
 
Impartial- adj. not favoring one side more than another; fair
Emanate- v. to come forth
Dire- adj. dreadful; terrible
Fervent- adj. having or showing great intensity  of feeling; passionate
Novel- adj. new and unusual

Vocabulary 

 

Tangible- adj. capable of bring touched or felt 
Discern- v. to detect or recognize 
Condone- v. to excuse or overlook an offense, usually a serious one, without criticism
Imperative- adj. absolutely necessary
Zealous- adj. very eager, enthusiastic 
 
The Leap 
By: Louise Erdrich
Vocabulary 
 
Commemorate- v. to preserve the memory of
Extricate- v. to release from entanglement or difficulty; to set free  
Constricting- adj. restricting; limiting 
Perpetually- adv. constantly; unceasingly 
Tentative- adj. hesitant; uncertain
Blues Ain't No Mockin Bird
By: Toni Cade Bambara
Vocabulary 
 
Paperweight- n. a heavy, often decorative object traditionally used to hold down loose papers
Campaign- n. a series of related actions with the purpose of a specific goal, such as an election campaign
Mortal- adj. deadly ​​
Molasses- n. a thick, dark brown syrup created by boiling raw sugar 
Chapter 1 from And the Mountains Echoed 
By: Khaled Hosseini 
Click [here] to listen to the story  
Click (here) for the text 
​The Cask of Amontillado 
By: Edgar Allan Poe
Click [here] to listen to the story 
Vocabulary 
 
Preclude- v. to prevent; to make impossible
Impunity- n. freedom from punishment, harm, or bad consequences
Accost- v. to approach and speak to, especially in an aggressive manner
Explicit- adj. definitely stated, clearly expressed
Implore- v. to ask earnestly; to beg
 
Websites: 
Listen to the Story (click here)
The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe Article (click here)
 
​The Gift of the Magi 
By: O' Henry
Click [here] to listen to the story  
Vocabulary 
 
Imputation- n. an accusation 
Parsimony- n. stinginess   
Depreciate- v. to lessen the price or value of  
Prudence- n. caution; good judgment  
 
Vocabulary 
 
Scythe- n. a tool used for cutting crops such as grass or wheat, with a long curved blade at the end of a long pole 
Anguish- n. severe mental or physical pain or suffering  
Resolve- n. firm determination to do something 
Despondent- adj. in low spirits from loss of hope or courage 
Benevolence- n. kindness; the quality of being well-meaning   
 
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