Practice English Vocabulary and Reading (两分钟学习英语) 24 June 2025

我正在尝试通过阅读小说《灿烂千阳》来提高我的英语水平和词汇量。以下是我从第六章到第十章挑选的一些单词表。如果您喜欢这份清单，请给我点赞，我会分享更多类似的清单。

I’m working on improving my English and expanding my vocabulary by reading the novel A Thousand Splendid Suns. Below is a list of some interesting words and expressions I picked up from Chapters 6 to 10. If you enjoy this list, give it a thumbs up—and I’ll happily share more like it!

1.  Sinuous curves

Meaning: Smooth, winding, and graceful lines or movements.
Example: The sinuous curves of the mountain road made the drive feel like gliding through a ribbon of asphalt.

2. Squinting
   Meaning: Narrowing your eyes to see more clearly or because of bright light.
   Example: She was squinting at the menu under the harsh sunlight, trying to read the small print.
3. Colander
   Meaning: A bowl with holes used for draining water from food like pasta or vegetables.
   Example: After boiling the spaghetti, he poured it into the colander to let the water drain.
4. Tethered
   Meaning: Tied or secured with a rope or chain to restrict movement.
   Example: The goat was tethered to a post in the yard so it wouldn't wander away.
5. Banter
   Meaning: Light, playful, and friendly exchange of teasing remarks.
   Example: The coworkers shared easy banter while waiting for the meeting to begin.
6. Glint
   Meaning: A quick flash or sparkle of light.
   Example: There was a mischievous glint in his eye as he made the clever remark.
7. Hyperventilating
   Meaning: Breathing very fast and deeply, often from anxiety or panic.
   Example: After the shocking news, she began hyperventilating and had to sit down to calm herself.
8. Splayed
   Meaning: Spread out or flung wide apart.
   Example: The books were splayed open across the desk, as if someone had been urgently flipping through them.
9. Receded
   Meaning: Moved back or diminished in intensity or size.
   Example: As the storm receded, the sunlight slowly began to break through the clouds.
10. Trotting
    Meaning: Moving at a moderate speed that’s faster than walking but not quite running—commonly used for animals like horses, but also for people moving briskly.
    Example: She came trotting down the path, her bag bouncing at her side, eager to share the news.

It's got a light, lively feel to it—perfect for describing a cheerful or purposeful pace.

Mini Dialog to practice the words:

Aina: (trotting up the path) Sorry I’m late! The traffic was like a maze of sinuous curves—felt like I was on a rollercoaster.

Lucas: (squinting at her) You okay? You look like you were hyperventilating by the time you got here.

Priya: She probably was! You should’ve seen her last week, splayed across the office floor trying to plug in her charger.

Aina: Hey! No need for the banter, thank you very much. I was being productive... dramatically.

Lucas: [laughs] Oh, I see that glint in your eye. You’re proud of that chaos, aren’t you?

Priya: Anyway, who’s cooking tonight? Please don’t tell me we’re using that leaky colander again.

Lucas: It’s already tethered to the sink with zip ties. Totally secure. Probably.

Aina: Right. That’s reassuring... not. Let’s just grab something. I vote we head back before the sun recedes completely.

Priya: Deal. I’m starving. Lead the way—just don’t start trotting again or we’ll lose Lucas!

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