Shooting Kabul: Chapters 10–14

by N.H. Senzai
When Fadi's family flees Afghanistan for the United States, his younger sister Mariam is accidentally left behind. Fadi enters a photography contest in the hopes that his winnings will allow him to find Mariam.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–2, Chapters 3–5, Chapters 6–9, Chapters 10–14, Chapters 15–19, Chapter 20–Epilogue
30 words 58 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. earnest
    characterized by a firm, sincere belief in one's opinions
    “Well, you should have,” she said, her almond-shaped eyes earnest.
  2. intrigue
    cause to be interested or curious
    “Wow,” said Fadi, intrigued despite himself.
  3. reclaim
    reassert one's right or title to
    If he succeeded, he would bring Mariam back and reclaim his honor.
  4. grope
    feel about uncertainly or blindly
    He flipped on the flashlight and groped along the side of the car, looking for the toggle switch that released the trunk.
  5. berate
    censure severely or angrily
    Calm down, you dork, he berated himself.
  6. crotchety
    having a difficult and contrary disposition
    Meanwhile the crotchety old passenger let himself into the backseat and put his walking stick across his legs.
  7. shroud
    cover as if with a burial garment
    For a moment Fadi’s fear and embarrassment melted away as the taxi was shrouded in wisps of fog rolling in from the bay.
  8. ebb
    flow back or recede
    The fog ebbed away as they climbed a sloping hill.
  9. plume
    anything that resembles a feather in shape or lightness
    To the right Fadi could see the Bay Bridge stretching out toward Oakland, disappearing into plumes of fog.
  10. thoroughfare
    a public road from one place to another
    Habib exited the main thoroughfare and took a right into a quiet residential neighborhood.
  11. torrent
    an overwhelming number or amount
    Fadi wiped away a stray tear and opened his mouth. A torrent of words spilled out, explaining the whole harebrained scheme.
  12. harebrained
    very foolish
    Fadi wiped away a stray tear and opened his mouth. A torrent of words spilled out, explaining the whole harebrained scheme.
  13. commend
    express approval of
    “Fadi jaan, I commend you for your desire to find Mariam,” said Habib softly.
  14. skulk
    lie in wait or behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
    “Private investigators?” mumbled Fadi, imagining men in trench coats with magnifying glasses, skulking around for clues.
  15. mercenary
    a person hired to fight for another country than their own
    “There are men...,” murmured Habib, “ex-army officers, mercenaries, and drug runners, who can be hired to find out things. Hopefully they’ll find information on what happened to Mariam after the truck left.”
  16. amble
    walk leisurely
    He pulled on the rumpled clothes he’d been wearing the day before and ambled into the kitchen for a glass of orange juice.
  17. escapade
    a wild and exciting undertaking
    “It’s a good thing she doesn’t know about your escapade last night,” said Noor, giving him a measured look.
  18. conspiratorial
    relating to or characteristic of a secret plot or agreement
    She put the money into his hand with a conspiratorial smile.
  19. stark
    devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment
    Stark, horrific images flickered in the darkened room, bursts of orange, gold, black, and smoky gray.
  20. retribution
    a justly deserved penalty
    “Yes,” said Habib. “This is an act against Allah and all of humanity. And there will be retribution.”
  21. dour
    showing a brooding ill humor
    Reluctantly Fadi turned his attention to a group of men huddled near the butcher’s counter, dour expressions on their faces.
  22. zealot
    a fervent and even militant proponent of something
    “They are religious zealots,” responded the older man. “They have made Afghanistan the laughingstock of the world. Now they are working with Osama.”
  23. laughingstock
    an object of mockery or ridicule
    “They are religious zealots,” responded the older man. “They have made Afghanistan the laughingstock of the world. Now they are working with Osama.”
  24. foreboding
    a feeling of evil to come
    A sense of foreboding drifted over Fadi.
  25. exasperation
    a feeling of annoyance
    “You’re late!” said Mrs. Palmer in exasperation.
  26. insolent
    marked by casual disrespect
    “Principal Hornstein said we could go to the bathroom,” said Ike with an insolent smile.
  27. horticulture
    the cultivation of plants
    She enjoyed taking apart clocks and putting them back together again, cooking experiments, and horticulture, especially growing bonsai trees.
  28. plight
    a situation from which extrication is difficult
    He had covered a lot of conflicts—including the Iran-Iraq war and the crises in Cambodia, Rwanda, and the Congo—and he had followed the plight of refugees in Sudan, Iran, India, and Pakistan.
  29. arresting
    commanding attention
    Some of the most arresting images focused on people—portraits of children at play, women cooking, and old men sitting in contemplation.
  30. contemplation
    a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
    Some of the most arresting images focused on people—portraits of children at play, women cooking, and old men sitting in contemplation.
Created on Fri Jan 17 08:44:08 EST 2020 (updated Fri Jan 17 08:51:51 EST 2020)

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