Name Date

THE DEVIL AND TOM WALKER COPY MASTER

Vocabulary Study

WORDS IN CONTEXT

Directions: As your teacher reads each item, listen for the boldfaced word. Discuss possible meanings of the word, and write on the chart what you think the word means. After reading “The Devil and Tom Walker,” confirm or adjust your definitions.

1. There seemed to be no limit to Tom’s avarice. He would do anything for money.

2. Though Tom was far from perfect himself, he was a loud censurer of other people’s behavior.

3. The dark forest was a melancholy place, likely to lower anyone’s spirits.

4. Tom wanted to impress others with his wealth. His house was an example of such

ostentation.

5. Some religious groups oppressed others. This persecution amused the devil.

6. Many people wanted money to buy land. Tom found it to be a propitious time to be a moneylender.

7. Land buyers hoped to sell and make a quick profit. However, many of them lost money

speculating in this way.

8. Tom became a usurer. He was happy to lend money to people in need at ridiculously high rates of interest.

Vocabulary Word / Predicted Meaning / Meaning in Selection
1. avarice
2. censurer
3. melancholy
4. ostentation
5. persecution
6. propitious
7. speculating
8. usurer

Resource Manager Unit 2 31

American Literature

Name Date

THE DEVIL AND TOM WALKER COPY MASTER

Vocabulary Practice

avarice

melancholy


persecution

speculating


censurer

ostentation


propitious

usurer

A. Directions: Fill in each blank with the correct word from the box.

1. The swamp where Tom meets the devil is a grim and place.

2. The devil claims to be present at the and oppression of other religions.

3. Tom’s large, showy house reveals his

4. Tom gives his soul to the devil in return for wealth because of

5. At first, Tom thinks his deal with the devil is a one.

6. Tom’s sudden religious fervor leads him to become a of his neighbors’ actions.

7. Many people had lost money because of risky deals or in real estate.

8. Tom becomes a to take advantage of those who need money.

B. Directions: For each phrase in the f irst column, find the phrase in the second column that is closest in meaning. Write the letter of that phrase in the blank.

9. a melancholy visitor

10. an illustration of ostentation

11. propitious earnings

12. astounding avarice

13. persecution of peoples

14. unusual usurer


a. likeable lender

b. oppression of others

c. a depressed guest

d. advantageous wages

e. a show of wealth

f. great greed

32 Unit 2 Resource Manager