Wacky Wordsmith

Name: ________________________________
Text: ________________________________
Date: ________________________________
Books: ________________________________

Wacky Wordsmith: As the author of the two most famous epics in ancient Greek
literature, Homer helped define the Western World's vocabulary landscape. Your
task is to look for at least TEN WONDER WORDS, important words or phrases in
the text which you deem crucial to the text. If you find words that are puzzling or
unfamiliar, list them down in the second table, “NEW TO MY VOCABULARY”.
Record the meaning that you came up with and indicate its significance. Include
words that you consider significant or crucial to the text. When your circle meets,
discuss the words, the reason(s) why you think they are Wonder Words, and how
you came up with their meaning. Ask them to suggest additional Wonder Words
to your list.

“WONDER WORDS” Book # Definition and

Significance
malignant 1 very virulent or
infectuous

forecourt 1
open area infront of
a
large building
1
haughty arrogantly superior

2 lacking self-control
intemperate

lamenting 2
passionate
expression of grief
or sorrow
halyards 2 a rope used for
raising
and lowering a sail
goblet 3 glass-shaped
drinking
cup

billows 3 a large mass of

something..
typically maybe a
cloud

4 to make a physical
bestirring or mental effort

dismal 4 depressing

fawns 4 display of
exaggerated flattery

“NEW TO MY Book # Definition and

VOCABULARY” Significance
millet 4 a fast-growing
cereal plant -
probably a common
plant in the times of
the greek