CUNY Start
Reading and Writing
Name: __________________
Handful of Dates Vocabulary
“Handful of Dates”—Tayeb Salih
Directions Part I: For each word, read the sentence and try to guess the meaning of
the underlined vocabulary word. After you’ve made your guess, look up the official
definition.
1. Many people believe that being talented but indolent will not be enough to
achieve success; to succeed you have to work hard.
What I think the word means: _______________________________________
Dictionary definition: ____________________________________________
2. My father spoke with a rasping voice when he got older because he was a
smoker for his whole life.
What I think the word means: _______________________________________
Dictionary definition: ____________________________________________
3. She was so angry with her friend for betraying her secret that she spewed all
kinds of insults at her.
What I think the word means: _______________________________________
Dictionary definition: ____________________________________________
4. Many students believe that there is a surfeit of homework in this class. It is just
too difficult to do it all.
What I think the word means: _______________________________________
Dictionary definition: ____________________________________________
5. Columbus’s crew wanted to return to Spain after sailing for months and seeing
nothing but the expanse of water around them.
What I think the word means: _______________________________________
Dictionary definition: ____________________________________________
CUNY Start
Reading and Writing
Name: __________________
Handful of Dates Vocabulary
6. My uncle is a very expansive person. He is always talking to new people, giving
gifts, and telling jokes.
What I think the word means: _______________________________________
Dictionary definition: ____________________________________________
7. The lilt in his accent suggested that he was from Ireland.
What I think the word means: _______________________________________
Dictionary definition: ____________________________________________
CUNY Start
Reading and Writing
Name: __________________
Handful of Dates Vocabulary
Vocabulary Questions
Answer the following questions using the vocabulary word in your answer. Use
complete sentences in your answer.
1. What is something in nature that has a lilting sound?
2. Is it ever good to be indolent? Why or why not?
3. What are two areas of the world where you would expect to view an expanse?
4. Describe a situation in which you were faced with a surfeit of choices.
5. What are two reasons why someone’s voice might sound rasping?
6. What might be a situation where you’d describe someone as spewing out their
thoughts? Why would you use the word “spewing”?
7. Do you consider yourself an expansive person? Why or why not?