THE MONKEY’S PAW

By

W.W. Jacobs

FAKIR

Typically, Fakir’s sell lucky

charms and perform incredible

feats, such as laying on a bed of

nails or appearing to float.

A magic man, street

performer in India.

Adjective

“The fire had a simian look in

the flames, like a howler monkey

staring back.”

Monkey-like

SIMIAN

Noun

“Before the test, Herbert

took out his talisman and wished

for an A.”

A good luck charm.

TALISMAN

Noun (thing)

The weather had placed the

family into unnecessary peril.

Danger

PERIL

Adjective (helps a noun)

Mr. Hager was surveying the

land before they could start their

project.

To look across the land

SURVEYING

Noun (thing)

Sarah bit into the octopus

and grimaced at the taste.

Unpleasant, digusted look.

GRIMACE

Noun (thing)

Fate has played an important

role in the play of Romeo and

Juliet.

Destiny

FATE

Noun (thing)

The girl thought she heard

the dog talk to the cat; the

mother laughed at her daughter’s

credulity.

Gullible, easily fooled

CREDULITY

AMIABLY

“Mr. White welcomed the

guest amiably, with a smile and a

handshake.”

Friendly

INTERCEPT “Mr. White looked up, just in

time to intercept a knowing

glance between mother and

son.”

To cross or get between

ENTHRALLED

“The three sat enthralled,

listening to the Sergeant Major’s

story eagerly.”

Closely interested

PROSAIC

“There was an air of prosaic wholesomeness in the room, just like every other day.”

Dull, boring

FRIVOLOUS

“It seemed frivolous to ask for more, as she already had more than enough new clothes.”

Over the top, unnecessary

AVARICIOUS

“He came across as a greedy,

uncaring, avaricious person

driven by money.”

Greedy

MALIGNED

“The woman was quite

maligned when the dimwitted

man asked her age. Didn’t he

know you never ask a woman

her age?”

Offended

ANTIMACASSAR

“My grandmother had a knitted antimacassar on to top of her favorite chair on which the cat would sit.”

A decorative cloth or covering along the top of a chair or couch.