Learning English Vocabulary through Reading

两分钟学习英语 - 29 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11 章至第15 章挑选的一些单词表。如果您喜欢这份书单并想加入我的读书俱乐部，请在评论中输入“Yes”,我会尽力邀请您加入我的读书圈。

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 11 to 15. If you enjoy this list and like to join my book club, please type 'Yes' in the comment and I try to invite you into my reading circle.

📚 Vocabulary Lis 

Here's a clear and engaging breakdown of each word with its meaning and a sentence to help you see it in action:

1.      Bellow – To shout in a deep, loud voice, often in anger or pain.
Example: The coach bellowed instructions across the field, startling the players.

2.      Pry – To inquire too closely into someone’s private affairs; or to force something open.
Example: I didn’t mean to pry, but I overheard your conversation and got worried.

3.      Yowl – A loud, wailing cry, especially from pain or distress (often used for animals).
Example: The cat let out a sharp yowl when it jumped off the fence and landed awkwardly.

4.      Wail (verb or noun) refers to:

·         (Verb) To make a long, high-pitched cry of pain, grief, or sadness.
Example: The child began to wail when she couldn’t find her mother in the crowd.

·         (Noun) A prolonged, mournful cry or sound.
Example: The wail of the ambulance siren echoed through the empty streets.

·         It can also describe a loud complaint, or a sound made by wind or sirens—anything that carries that haunting, drawn-out tone.

5.      Afoot – In progress or being planned.
Example: There’s a major reorganization afoot in the company’s leadership team.

6.      Watan – An Arabic word meaning homeland or native country.
Example: He spoke passionately about returning to his watan and rebuilding his community.

7.      Nepotism – Favoritism shown to relatives, especially in giving jobs or positions of power.
Example: The CEO was accused of nepotism after appointing his cousin as head of marketing.

8.      Dishevel – To make something untidy or messy, especially hair or clothing.
Example: The wind disheveled her hair as she stepped out of the car.

9.      Wince – To make a slight grimace or shrinking movement due to pain or distress.
Example: He winced when the nurse cleaned the cut with antiseptic.

10. Quiver – To tremble or shake slightly, often from emotion or cold.
Example: Her voice quivered as she read the farewell letter aloud.

11.  Devour (verb) can mean:

• To eat something hungrily or quickly
  Example: After the hike, we devoured the sandwiches in minutes.
• To destroy or consume completely
  Example: The wildfire devoured everything in its path.
• To read or watch something eagerly and quickly
  Example: She devoured the entire novel in one night.
• To be overwhelmed by a strong emotion
  Example: He was devoured by guilt after the argument.

Mini Dialog to practice the words:

Scene: Two cousins, Layla and Rafiq, sit on the rooftop of their home in Kabul, watching a dust storm rise in the distance.

Layla: (peering down the street) Did you hear that? It sounded like a yowl... maybe a stray cat caught in the storm.

Rafiq: Or someone’s goat again. This neighborhood always surprises me. Something strange is definitely afoot tonight.

Layla: [suspiciously] You always say that when you’re trying to avoid real talk. Don’t make me pry, Rafiq—what did you say to Auntie Huda?

Rafiq: (groans) I may have… questioned whether hiring her nephew was nepotism. She bellowed at me so loudly, even the neighbors closed their windows!

Layla: (laughing) Oh no… did you wince when she mentioned your own job history?

Rafiq: More like cringe. And to top it off, I tripped over the broom and walked out totally disheveled, like I'd wrestled the wind.

Layla: Classic. You know she’ll never forget that. But I admire that you always speak your mind—even when your voice quivers a little.

Rafiq: You noticed that? Well, I’m just tired of people acting like loyalty to your Watan means silence when things go wrong.

Layla: I get that. But next time, maybe don’t devour all your points in one breath. Ease into it.

Rafiq: (smiling) I’ll try. But when I hear people wail about “tradition,” it stirs something in me. Makes me want to act, not just watch.

Layla: I guess that’s what makes you brave—and loud.