1. Preparing to Read: “The Cask of Amontillado”
Vocabulary

2. Comments sometimes heard include…
“Why do they talk
that way?”
“Why are these
words so hard?”
“Who talks like
this?”
“Are these words
for real?”

3. In terms of vocabulary, Poe’s stories may initially present a challenge to you as a reader because:
Some words are antiquated (old fashioned) and not often used in current language, but were in more widespread use during Poe’s time.
Poe often published his stories in magazines which paid writers by the amount of words. In some cases, this may have contributed to some unique syntax (sentence structure)by Poe.
Much of Poe’s language is still used today, but is unfamiliar vocabulary to you as a eighth grader.
Learners recognize that they haven’t learned all of the words in the English language yet.

4. Getting Familiar Be sure that your vocabulary notes include: The word
Part of Speech
Definition
Sentence

5. preclude (verb)
preclude: To preclude (to prevent; to make impossible ) the risk of failing my driver’s test, I decided to study and practice with my dad in advance.

6. impunity (noun)
I got away with it!
impunity: The guilty man grinned and chuckled at the impunity (freedom from punishment, harm, or bad consequences) he had been awarded by an unsuspecting jury.

7. accost (verb)
accost: The angry mob accosted (to approach or speak to, especially in an aggressive way) the attorney about his client, an alleged murderer.

8. explicit (adjective)
explicit: The teacher gave explicit (definitely stated, clearly expressed) directions about writing the essay.

9. implore (verb)
implore: The students implored (to ask earnestly, to beg) their teacher to postpone the vocabulary test for one more day.

10. virtuoso (noun)
virtuoso: After many years of practice and study, Gabriella may become a virtuoso (master, expert) of the violin.

11. repose (verb)
repose: Chandler supposed that he could repose (recline or to lie dead) for awhile on the sofa after a long day of soccer practice.

12. termination (noun)
termination: At the termination (end of something; the limit) of the film, Tiffany and Daniel threw away their trash and left the theater.

13. fetter (verb)
fetter: The prisoner was fettered (shackled, chained) as he was taken to and from the courthouse.

14. subside (verb)
subside: The water subsided (lessen; become less active) as the tide turned from the shore.

15. destined (verb)
destined: In the beginning of the play, we are told that Romeo and Juliet’s death was destined (determined beforehand; fated).

16. catacomb (noun)
Tyann and Rabecca very cautiously traveled through the Parisian catacombs (underground tunnels or an area with holes for graves).
Roman Catacombs Image Source:

17. Mason (noun)
Definition 1: a person whose trade deals in building with materials such as bricks and mortar.
-Definition 2: a person belonging to a fraternal secret society, often a charitable organization (i.e. the Freemasons—some of who may be/have been masons and some who are honorary members)
-Mark, a mason in the traditional sense built houses, and he served as President of his local Freemasons Chapter.