Esperanza Rising — Vocabulary
Pam Munoz Ryan
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
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immigrateimmigrate → immigration:related to a process where people are approved for coming into a country
If they are not in order, or if they do not happen to have their papers with them, the immigration officials send them back to Mexico.p.171.113 more
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About 1 of each 8 people in the United States immigrated from somewhere else.more
immigrate → immigrated:came to live (from another country)
Show general definition come to live in a new country
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peasantpeasant → peasants:people of low income and low social standing
She whispered back, "It is all right, Esperanza, because now we are peasants, too."p.77.811 more
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Most people in the Middle Ages were peasants.more
peasant → peasants:an historical term describing people of low income, education, and social standing
Show general definition used historically or possibly in relation to a very poor country:  a person of low income, education, and social standing -- especially one who raises crops or livestock
4 top 500
revolutionoverthrow of the old government
They both knew that even though it was 1930 and the revolution in Mexico had been over for ten years, there was still resentment against the large landowners.p.12.13 more
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Social media created a revolution in how people connect.more
dramatic change
Show general definition for revolution (as in: the computer revolution) dramatic change -- sometimes violent overthrow of a government
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accustomaccustom → accustomed to:used to (adapted to something, so it seems normal)
Esperanza had grown so accustomed to the strikers' chanting while she packed asparagus that the moment it stopped, she looked up from her work as if something was wrong.p.204.53 more
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In the United States we're accustomed to forming our own opinion about the promises of advertisements and politicians.more
accustom → accustomed to:used to (have adapted to and have an expectation of)
Show general definition to make someone used to something

(used to is an expression that means someone has adapted to something, so it does not seem unusual)
Show editor's word notes In professional environments, you may make a better impression by saying one is accustomed to something rather than one is used to something.
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scorndisrespect or reject as not good enough
When you scorn these people, you scorn Miguel, Hortensia, and Alfonso.p.70.2
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Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.more
scorn → scorned:rejected
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indignantindignant → indignation:discomfort at something unjust or wrong
He should not be wearing Papa's belt buckle with the brand of the ranch on it! ... A look of indignation passed between Mama and Abuelita.p.30.61 more
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"I am not a fool," she said indignantly.more
indignant → indignantly:with anger or annoyance at something unjust or wrong
Show general definition angered or annoyed at something unjust or wrong
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prejudiceunfair treatment of a group
When I asked about prejudice I was told, "Sure there was prejudice, horrible prejudice, but that's how things were then."p.261.92 more
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The group works to eliminate racial prejudice.more
unreasonable and unfair belief or feeling
Show general definition bias that prevents objective consideration -- especially an unreasonable belief that is unfair to members of a race, religion, or other group
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accompanyaccompany → accompanied:joined
Several immigration officials accompanied by police began searching the platform, turning over boxes and dumping out field bins.p.206.1
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The nurse accompanies the old woman everywhere.more
accompany → accompanies:travels with
Show general definition for accompany (as in: accompany on the journey) to travel along with
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establishestablish → established:created and maintained
Hortensia had given Esperanza her baths since she was a baby and they had an established routine.p.125.9
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Which word choice best maintains the tone established in the first paragraph?more
establish → established:created
Show general definition for establish (as in: establish a positive tone) create, start, or set in [a] place
2 top 2000
anguishsuffering or distress
She was relieved, but still imagined the anguish of the strikers.p.208.11 more
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I felt unbearable anguish when my 4-year-old child died from brain cancer.more
pain
Show general definition extreme pain, suffering, or distress (of body or mind)
1 top 200
skepticalskeptical → skeptically:doubting the truth of something
"Miguel, did you know that if you lie on the ground and stay very still, you can feel the earth's heart beating?"
He looked at her skeptically.p.248.7
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I am skeptical about her plan.more
doubtful
Show general definition doubtful (that something is true or worthwhile)

or more rarely:

generally tending to doubt what others believe
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optimisticoptimistic → optimism:expectation of good outcomes
I don't want to hear your optimism about this land of possibility when I see no proof!p.224.6
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I'm optimistic that I'll get into a good college.more
expecting the best
Show general definition expecting the best; or focusing on the good part of things
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confideconfide → confiding:placing trust (in someone) by talking about private things
Soon, Mama was confiding in Carmen, telling her all that had happened with Papa and Tio Luis.p.76.9
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She confided in me. I won't repeat what was said.more
confide → confided:placed trust (in someone) by talking about private things
Show general definition to place trust (in someone) by talking about private things or telling secrets
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anxietyworry
When she saw Hortensia's anxiety, Esperanza felt the heavy responsibility for his safety.p.225.5
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She suffers from more than the usual pre-test anxiety.more
nervousness
Show general definition nervousness or worry
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composurecalm state of mind
Mama did not answer but maintained her composure.p.29.6
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After I regained my composure, I thanked her for telling me about the problem.more
3
migrantfor people who often move their home to a different region for work
Those camps, the migrant camps, are the worst.p.134.12 more
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Her parents were migrant farm workers.more
moving from one place to another  -- often seasonally for work
Show general definition a person (or animal) that moves from one place to another -- sometimes seasonally -- sometimes for work
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determinedfirm in purpose
Maybe I must be more determined than others to succeed, but I know that it will happen.p.223.15 more
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I'm determined to become a lawyer.more
firmly planning
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appropriateappropriate → inappropriate:improper
In Aguascalientes, she would have thought it was "inappropriate" to tell an egg woman their problems, yet now she didn't hesitate.p.77.51 more
Show context notes The prefix "in-" in inappropriate means not and reverses the meaning of appropriate. This is the same pattern you see in words like invisible, incomplete, and insecure.
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These clothes aren't appropriate for work.more
suitable (fitting) for a particular situation
Show general definition for appropriate (as in: it is appropriate) suitable (fitting) for a particular situation
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preciseprecise → precisely:exactly
But it wasn't precisely Mama's face, because Papa's eyes were there too, shaped like fat, brown almonds.p.11.6
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Is it precise enough if I measure to the closest inch?more
accurate
Show general definition for precise (as in: about noon; 12:03 to be precise) exact (accurate)
Show editor's word notes In the fields of science, engineering, and statistics, precise and accurate are not properly used as synonyms the way they are in general usage.

If you throw darts at a dartboard and keep missing the bullseye, but hit in the same place on the dartboard each time, you would be described as precise, but not accurate.

If you seldom hit the bullseye, but tended to get close each time, you would be described as accurate, but not precise.

Finally, if you hit the bullseye each time, you would be considered both accurate and precise.
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tonequality of voice expressing a feeling or attitude
"Mama," whispered Esperanza, taking on a tone she had heard Mama use many times.p.77.6
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Which of the following words best maintains the tone established in this passage.more
general feeling
Show general definition for tone (as in: the tone of the essay) the general feeling, mood, or attitude of something -- especially of something said or written