A-Z Mysteries: The Deadly Dungeon

1. Have you been in a castle? What do you

know about castles? Would you like to live
in one?

2. D is for danger: Where do you think the

characters on the cover page are? What do
you think this story is about?

3. Would you like to join them? Why?

VOCABULARY

1. squirm verb /skwrm/

Definition: Wriggle or twist the body from side to side, especially as a result of nervousness or
discomfort
Example: All my efforts to squirm out of his grasp were useless.

2. moat noun /mt/

Definition: A deep, wide ditch surrounding a castle, fort, or town, typically filled with water and
intended as a defense against attack.
Example: Besides a moat filled with rain water by way of the castle aqueducts, there were two walls,
the lower outer and the higher inner.

3. dungeon noun /dnjn/

Definition: A strong underground prison cell, especially in a castle.
Example: For the past seventeen years he has been kept prisoner in the castle dungeons.

4. starve verb /strv/

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Definition: (Of a person or animal) suffer severely or die from hunger

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A-Z Mysteries: The Deadly Dungeon

Example: She left her animals to starve.

5. humongous adjective /hyoomNGs/

Definition: Huge; enormous
Example: The gigantic horse was a humongous black beast with flashing green eyes and a name to
suit: Thunderhead.

6. gossip noun /sp/

Definition: Casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving
details that are not confirmed as being true
Example: He became the subject of much local gossip.

7. cliff noun /klif/

Definition: A steep rock face, especially at the edge of the sea:
Example: Theres a path along the top of rugged cliffs to the castle.

8. goosebumps fig. /oosbmps/

Definition: a prickly feeling related to having bumps on one's skin due to fear, excitement, or cold.
Example: When I hear that old song, I get goose bumps.

9. boulder noun /bldr/

Definition: A large rock, typically one that has been worn smooth by erosion.
Example: The trail narrowed, weaving round giant boulders and overhangs of smooth rock.

10. dock noun /dk/

Definition: A structure extending alongshore or out from the shore into a body of water, to which
boats may be moored
Example: The gangplank was lowered to the dock.

11. scarce adjective /skers/

Definition: (Especially of food, money, or some other resource) insufficient for the demand:
Example: As raw materials became scarce, synthetics were developed.

12. stump verb /stmp/

Definition: (usually be stumped) (Of a question or problem) be too hard for; baffle:
Example: Education chiefs were stumped by some of the exam questions.
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13. explore verb /iksplr/

Definition: Travel in or through (an unfamiliar country or area) in order to learn about or familiarize
oneself with it
Example: The best way to explore Icelands northwest.

14. wade verb /wd/

Definition: Walk through water or another liquid or soft substance
Example: We waded ashore to the cave.

15. hollow adjective /hl/

Definition: Having a hole or empty space inside
Example: Each fiber has a hollow core.

16. help oneself - expression

Definition: Serve oneself
Example: The food's in the kitchen; just help yourself.

17. radiator noun /rddr/

Definition: A thing that radiates or emits light, heat, or sound.
Example: Examples of radar reflectors are solar panels and heat radiators.

18. yawn verb /yn/

Definition: Involuntarily open ones mouth wide and inhale deeply due to tiredness or boredom:
Example: He began yawning and looking at his watch.

19. firefly noun /f()rfl/

Definition: A soft-bodied beetle related to the glowworm, the winged male and flightless female of
which both have luminescent organs.
Example: The firefly's light is only visible for an instant.

20. hideous adjective /hids/

Definition: Ugly or disgusting to look at
Example: His smile made him look more hideous than ever.

21. bolt upright phrasal verb

Definition: Upright, with the back rigid and straight:
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Example: She sat bolt upright in bed.

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22. pitch black adjective /piCH blak/

Definition: Completely dark; as black as pitch.
Example: His feathers were dark and sleek, as black as the pitch-dark night without a candle or a
moon or a star.

23. slicker noun /slikr/

Definition: A raincoat made of smooth material.
Example: he settles on insulated booties, oversize pedals, and a clear slicker, which she slips over her
jersey.

24. bulky adjective /blk/

Definition: Taking up much space, typically inconveniently; large and unwieldy
Example: The bulky piece of luggage was thrown to the trunk carelessly.

25. bait noun /bt/

Definition: Food used to entice fish or other animals as prey
Example: Herrings make excellent bait for pike.

26. buoy noun /boo/ /boi/

Definition: An anchored float serving as a navigation mark, to show reefs or other hazards, or for
mooring
Example: Nine fixed navigation aids and five buoys are scheduled to be placed by today.

27. scamper verb /skampr/

Definition: (Especially of a small animal or child) run with quick light steps, especially through fear or
excitement
Example: He scampered in like an overgrown puppy.

28. gross adjective /rs/

Definition: Very unpleasant; repulsive
Example: So, to all you spitters out there: it's gross, disgusting, unhealthy and classless, and every
time you do it you look like a trashy hood rat.

29. fasten verb /fas()n/

Definition: Close or join securely
Example: Fasten your seat belts.
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30. volunteer noun and verb /vlntir/

Definition: A person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task; Freely offer to
do something
Example: He volunteered for the job.

31. crew noun /kroo/

Definition: A group of people working on a ship, aircraft, etc., other than the officers
Example: We thank the captains, officers and crew for their efficient work at sea.

32. snatch verb /snaCH/

Definition: Quickly seize (something) in a rude or eager way:
Example: She snatched a cookie from the plate.

33. goo noun /oo/

Definition: A sticky or slimy substance
Example: He tipped the grayish goo from the test tube.

34. errand - noun /ernd/

Definition: A short journey undertaken in order to deliver or collect something, often on someone
elses behalf:
Example: She asked Tim to run an errand for her.

35. musty - adjective /mst/

Definition: Having a stale, moldy, or damp smell
Example: A dark musty library filled with old books

36. tunnel noun /tnl/

Definition: An artificial underground passage, especially one built through a hill or under a building,
road, or river.
Example: New roads and tunnels have been built and public transport modernized.

37. strangle verb /straNGl/

Definition: Squeeze or constrict the neck of (a person or animal), especially so as to cause death:
Example: The victim was strangled with a scarf.

38. ooze verb /ooz/

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Definition: (Of a fluid) slowly trickle or seep out of something; flow in a very gradual way

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Example: Blood was oozing from a wound in his scalp.

39. tarp - noun /trp/

Definition: A tarpaulin sheet or cover.
Example: The tarps are used to cover storm-damaged roofs.

40. lug - verb /l/

Definition: Carry or drag (a heavy or bulky object) with great effort
Example: She began to lug her suitcase down the stairs.

41. raft noun /raft/

Definition: A flat buoyant structure of timber or other materials fastened together, used as a boat or
floating platform.
Example: As kids, we were always on the water in canoes or rowboats or homemade rafts.

42. soggy - adjective /s/

Definition: Wet and soft
Example: The sandbags were soggy and split open.

43. poacher noun /pCHr/

Definition: A person who hunts or catches game or fish illegally.
Example: Russian poachers catch sturgeons or other large fish illegally to harvest their expensive
caviar.

44. culprit noun /klprt/ /klprit/

Definition: A person who is responsible for a crime or other misdeed.
Example: The culprits behaved like seasoned thugs but claimed that they were guardians of law and
order.

45. crouch verb /krouCH/

Definition: Adopt a position where the knees are bent and the upper body is brought forward and
down, sometimes to avoid detection or to defend oneself
Example: We crouched down in the trench.

46. snooze verb /snooz/

Definition: Have a short, light sleep
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Example: The children play beach games while the adults snooze in the sun

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Comprehension Check

Chapter 1
1. Where were they going?
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2. Why did Dink bring a lot of books?

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3. Describe Moose Manor?
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Chapter 2
1. What can you say about the house while on tour?
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2. Who was Emory Scott?

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3. What did Josh hear?

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4. According to Wallis, who screamed? Do you believe her?

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Chapter 3
1. Where did Walker live? Describe it.
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2. Who was Ripley Pierce?

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3. Where did the scream come from?

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Chapter 4
1. What did Wallis tell the kids about the screaming?
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2. What did Ruth Rose think of the screaming?

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3. Describe the playhouse.

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4. What did Dink notice in the moat?

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5. Why did Josh want to explore the cave?

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Chapter 5
1. Where did Josh think the cave led to?
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2. Why did Josh scream?

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3. What did Dink see when he woke up at midnight?

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Chapter 6
1. What was Dinks dream?
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2. What did Dink think of what happened last night?

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3. Where were they going with Walker? What time do you think it was? Why do you think so?
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Chapter 7
1. Did the light have anything to do with the strange noises or the two green feathers?
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2. According to Walker, how are lobsters caught?

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3. According to Walker, how is a lobster held?

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4. What did Dink see on Lady Lucks deck? What do you think about it?
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Chapter 8
1. What did Dink find under the rug?
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____________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What clue did they find on the steps and on the rug? Whose were they?
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3. What echoed out of the dark hole?

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4. What do you think the kids would do next?

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Chapter 9
1. Was it good idea to follow the scream? Why or why not?
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2. What did they find out after finding and turning the switch on?
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3. What did Josh do to Dink?

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4. What did they find behind the tarp?

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5. Who do you think hid them there? Why do you think so?
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Chapter 10
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1. How did they get out of the tunnel?

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_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
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2. Why do you think the parrots were hidden?

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3. Do you agree with Dink about Walker Wallace being involved? Why or why not?
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Chapter 11
1. Did Ruth Rose agree with Dink about Walker? Why or why not?
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2. How were they going to catch the poacher?

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3. Who do you think was the poacher?

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Chapter 12
1. What was Operation Game Thief?
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2. Why did Josh lock the trapdoor?

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3. Who was the culprit?

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4. Why didnt Ruth Rose suspect Walker?

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CHARACTER PROFILE

Direction: Draw each character as described in the story and

write his or her trait/s.

Name: ______________________ Name: ______________________

Traits: Traits:
_______________________________________ _______________________________________
_______________________________________ _______________________________________
_______________________________________ _______________________________________
_ _

Name: ______________________ Name: ______________________

Traits: Traits:
_______________________________________ _______________________________________
_______________________________________ _______________________________________
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_______________________________________ _______________________________________
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Name: ______________________ Name: ______________________

Traits: Traits:
_______________________________________ _______________________________________
_______________________________________ _______________________________________
_______________________________________ _______________________________________
_ _

Name: ______________________ Name: ______________________

Traits: Traits:
_______________________________________ _______________________________________
_______________________________________ _______________________________________
_______________________________________ _______________________________________
_ _
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BOOK REPORT
Book Title: ____________________________________________________________________
Author: ______________________________ illustrator: ________________________

Characters:
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Setting:
____________________________________________________________________________________
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Plot/Synopsis (Beginning, Middle, Ending):

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What is your favorite part of the story?

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Do you like this book? Why or why not?

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