Vocabulary Stories

Jaunty — A Vocabulary Story

Anika's Jaunty Bow --Anika stood behind the curtain at a Fort Kochi arts centre, clutching her tap shoes as the announcer called her name. Everyone expected a...

Vocabulary Stories

Sagacious — A Vocabulary Story

The Sagacious Map Spotter --At a busy book market in Prague, Mira noticed that the rare-map stall had suddenly drawn a crowd. A man in a velvet coat was...

Vocabulary Stories

Boom — A Vocabulary Story

The Sound of Growing --Nadia ran the little flower stall on the corner of Ashbourne Road, and for three years it had barely survived. Some mornings she sold a...

Vocabulary Stories

Diligent — A Vocabulary Story

Checking Everything Twice --Kwame's teacher had written 'diligent' in his school report last term. Diligent means working hard and being careful with what you...

Vocabulary Stories

Hostage — A Vocabulary Story

The Sunset Deadline --Captain Rao crouched in the dust outside the abandoned warehouse. Inside, somewhere, was Dr. Mehra — a doctor taken hostage three days...

Vocabulary Stories

Treacherous — A Vocabulary Story

The Treacherous Path to Tiger's Nest --Fatma adjusted her rucksack and squinted up at the monastery clinging to the cliff face above. Bhutan's mountain air bit...

Vocabulary Stories

Temerity — A Vocabulary Story

The Markets of Marrakesh --In the labyrinth of Marrakesh's souk, Diana clutched her mother's shopping list and a fistful of dirhams. She was eleven, visiting...

Vocabulary Stories

Tactless — A Vocabulary Story

Listening Tastes Better --Fernando had been looking forward to the Istanbul Grand Bazaar for weeks. His older cousin Teresa, who had lived in Turkey for two...

Vocabulary Stories

Brittle — A Vocabulary Story

The Brittle Crossing --High in the Patagonian foothills of Chile, Jorge gripped the rope of an old footbridge while his cousin Ann hesitated behind him. They...

Vocabulary Stories

Tolerance — A Vocabulary Story

Terrible Differently --Maya and Sam had been paired for the science project, and three days in, Maya's tolerance was running thin. "Could you stop tapping?"...

Vocabulary Stories

Lambaste — A Vocabulary Story

The Football Reporter --In a buzzing café in Buenos Aires, eleven-year-old Antonio sat opposite his older cousin, Carmen, who worked as a sports journalist....

Vocabulary Stories

Torturous — A Vocabulary Story

The Long Wait for Bibi --The minute hand on the kitchen clock seemed broken. Nancy stared at it, willing it forward, but each tick was torturous. Torturous...