enigma vocabulary activities - storytelling world vocabulary activities prepared by flora joy, ....
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Enigma Vocabulary Activities Prepared by Flora Joy, www.storytellingworld.com. File: GAT12A/EnigmaVocab.docx
This book beckons the study of vocabulary on many levels. The most significant word to discuss is the book’s
title: ENIGMA. Pronounced [ɪˈNIG-mə], it is a noun and is generally defined as “a person, thing, or situation
that is mysterious, puzzling, or ambiguous.” Most elementary and middle school students will likely be
unfamiliar with its use and meaning. The word actually has several meanings (and levels of meanings) in this
book. Note also that the word enigma was also the name given to a very significant coding machine used during
World War II (and much more is offered about that in the social studies section).
The actual words used by authors of other countries can sometimes sound different to our “American ears.”
Occasionally their context can change slightly. In the book Enigma, Graeme Base wrote in poetic format that
sometimes alters the word choices and syntax of the sentences. Twenty-four words from this book were chosen
for vocabulary study. An interesting format for learners is the crossword puzzle. Below are the 24 selected words
for these crossword experiences, followed by their meanings and page numbers indicating where they were found
in the book. (Note that the meanings provided below are the SAME as the clues given in the crossword puzzles.)
These words may be discussed BEFORE learners experience the story, OR the context of the story may
initially/temporarily supply the meanings. The next pages offer (1) a crossword blank base for these words, and
(2) three forms of crossword puzzles for different ages and abilities:
Crossword Puzzle 1: This is the most difficult because only the printed clues (below) are given.
Crossword Puzzle 2: This gives both the clues AND the page numbers where the actual words are found.
Crossword Puzzle 3: This gives the clues and the page numbers, PLUS a word list from which to choose
(making this the easiest choice of the three).
The above may be used by individuals or in groups, and they may be solved with or without the actual book. Use
whatever fits your own educational situation. Here are the 24 words (with pages and clues):
Page 2, Conjurer: One who performs magic tricks
Page 2, Illusion: A false appearance or a misleading impression of reality
Page 2, Renowned: Being famous or having a widespread reputation
Page 6, Residents: People who live in a certain place
Page 6, Quest: The act of seeking something
Page 8, Apprenticed: Having been assigned to a professional to learn a trade or occupation
Page 8, Babushka: A unique type of nesting doll, generally Russian
Page 10, Cardsharp: A person who uses skill and deception to win at games such as poker
Page 12, Giddy: A lightheaded or dizzy sensation
Page 12, Rascal: Someone who is playfully mischievous or sometimes dishonest
Page 12, Trapeze: A short horizontal bar suspended from two parallel ropes, generally used for acrobatic stunts
Page 14, Reigned: Ruled
Page 14, Mademoiselle: A courtesy title before the surname or full name of a French girl or unmarried woman
Page 14, Charade: A game in which words or phrases are represented in pantomime
Page 16, Maracas: Percussion instruments consisting of a hollow gourd containing pebbles or beans; often
played in pairs
Page 16, Plumage: The covering of feathers on a bird
Page 16, Percussion: A type of instrument that produces noise by striking together two items
Page 18, Levitation: To rise or cause to rise into the air and float in apparent defiance of gravity
Page 18, Jade: A semiprecious stone generally pale green or white and used mainly as gemstones or in carving
Page 20, Swathes: Wrappings, bindings, or bandages
Page 20, Sphinx: A figure in Egyptian myth having the body of a lion and the head of a man, ram, or hawk
Page 22, Maharaja: A king or prince in India ranking above a rajah, especially the sovereign of one of the
former native states
Page 30, Enchanted: Having had a spell cast upon, or bewitched
Page 34, Mystic: Inspiring a sense of mystery and wonder
Enigma Crossword Puzzle Clues (1)
ACROSS:
1. Ruled
3. A person who uses skill and deception to win at games such as poker
5. People who live in a certain place
6. Wrappings, bindings, or bandages
8. To rise or cause to rise into the air and float in apparent defiance of gravity
11. A game in which words or phrases are represented in pantomime
12. A false appearance or a misleading impression of reality
13. The act of seeking something
17. Having been assigned to a professional to learn a trade or occupation
20. A figure in Egyptian myth having the body of a lion and the head of a man, ram,
or hawk
21. Percussion instruments consisting of a hollow gourd containing pebbles or
beans; often played in pairs
22. Being famous or having a widespread reputation
23. A short horizontal bar suspended from two parallel ropes, generally used for
acrobatic stunts
DOWN:
1. Someone who is playfully mischievous or sometimes dishonest
2. A courtesy title before the surname or full name of a French girl or unmarried
woman
4. Inspiring a sense of mystery and wonder
7. A type of instrument that produces noise by striking together two items
9. One who performs magic tricks
10. A unique type of nesting doll, generally Russian
14. A king or prince in India ranking above a rajah, especially the sovereign of one
of the former native states
15. A lightheaded or dizzy sensation
16. Having had a spell cast upon, or bewitched
18. The covering of feathers on a bird
19. A semiprecious stone generally pale green or white and used mainly as
gemstones or in carving
Prepared by Flora Joy, www.storytellingworld.com. File: GAT12A/EnigmaCrosswordClues.docx
Enigma Crossword Puzzle Clues (2)
ACROSS:
1. Ruled [Page 14]
3. A person who uses skill and deception to win at games such as poker [Page 10]
5. People who live in a certain place [Page 6]
6. Wrappings, bindings, or bandages [Page 20]
8. To rise or cause to rise into the air and float in apparent defiance of gravity [Page
18]
11. A game in which words or phrases are represented in pantomime [Page 14]
12. A false appearance or a misleading impression of reality [Page 2]
13. The act of seeking something [Page 6]
17. Having been assigned to a professional to learn a trade or occupation [Page 8]
20. A figure in Egyptian myth having the body of a lion and the head of a man, ram,
or hawk [Page 20]
21. Percussion instruments consisting of a hollow gourd containing pebbles or
beans; often played in pairs [Page 16]
22. Being famous or having a widespread reputation [Page 2]
23. A short horizontal bar suspended from two parallel ropes, generally used for
acrobatic stunts [Page 12]
DOWN:
1. Someone who is playfully mischievous or sometimes dishonest [Page 12]
2. A courtesy title before the surname or full name of a French girl or unmarried
woman [Page 14]
4. Inspiring a sense of mystery and wonder [Page 34]
7. A type of instrument that produces noise by striking together two items [Page 16]
9. One who performs magic tricks [Page 2]
10. A unique type of nesting doll, generally Russian [Page 8]
14. A king or prince in India ranking above a rajah, especially the sovereign of one
of the former native states [Page 22]
15. A lightheaded or dizzy sensation [Page 12]
16. Having had a spell cast upon, or bewitched [Page 30]
18. The covering of feathers on a bird [Page 16]
19. A semiprecious stone generally pale green or white and used mainly as
gemstones or in carving [Page 18]
Prepared by Flora Joy, www.storytellingworld.com. File: GAT12A/EnigmaCrosswordClues.docx
Enigma Crossword Puzzle Clues (3)
The words: apprenticed, babushka, cardsharp, charade, conjurer, enchanted, giddy,
illusion, jade, levitation, mademoiselle, maharaja, maracas, mystic, percussion,
plumage, quest, rascal, reigned, renowned, residents, sphinx, swathes, trapeze
ACROSS:
1. Ruled [Page 14]
3. A person who uses skill and deception to win at games such as poker [Page 10]
5. People who live in a certain place [Page 6]
6. Wrappings, bindings, or bandages [Page 20]
8. To rise into the air and float in apparent defiance of gravity [Page 18]
11. A game in which words or phrases are represented in pantomime [Page 14]
12. A false appearance or a misleading impression of reality [Page 2]
13. The act of seeking something [Page 6]
17. Having been assigned to a professional to learn a trade or occupation [Page 8]
20. A figure in Egyptian myth having the body of a lion and the head of a man, ram,
or hawk [Page 20]
21. Percussion instruments consisting of a hollow gourd containing pebbles or
beans; often played in pairs [Page 16]
22. Being famous or having a widespread reputation [Page 2]
23. A short horizontal bar suspended from two parallel ropes, generally used for
acrobatic stunts [Page 12]
DOWN:
1. Someone who is playfully mischievous or sometimes dishonest [Page 12]
2. A courtesy title before the surname or full name of a French girl or unmarried
woman [Page 14]
4. Inspiring a sense of mystery and wonder [Page 34]
7. A type of instrument that produces noise by striking together two items [Page 16]
9. One who performs magic tricks [Page 2]
10. A unique type of nesting doll, generally Russian [Page 8]
14. A king or prince in India ranking above a rajah, especially the sovereign of one
of the former native states [Page 22]
15. A lightheaded or dizzy sensation [Page 12]
16. Having had a spell cast upon, or bewitched [Page 30]
18. The covering of feathers on a bird [Page 16]
19. A semiprecious stone generally pale green or white and used mainly as
gemstones or in carving [Page 18]
Prepared by Flora Joy, www.storytellingworld.com. File: GAT12A/EnigmaCrosswordClues.docx