Difficult Words and Meanings
| Word | ||
| Tarmac 53 | A smooth, dark surface used for roads or airport runways. (Like the material used for most roads.) | |
| Glaring 54 | Shining with a very bright, strong light that is harsh or painful to look at. (Like a blinding light.) | |
| Snaps 55 | Says something quickly, sharply, and often angrily. (Speaking in a sharp, impatient way.) | |
| Lurch 56 | A sudden, jerky, or unsteady movement. (To move or jump forward suddenly and awkwardly.) | |
| Twirling 57 | To spin or twist something lightly and quickly. (Turning something around and around.) | |
| Catches me off guard 58 | Surprises me because I wasn’t ready or expecting it. (To be surprised by a question or event.) | |
| Glaring at me 59 | Staring at me in an angry or fierce way. (Giving someone an angry look.) | |
| Deny 60 | To say that something is not true. (To say you did not do something.) | |
| Struggling 61 | Having a difficult time trying to deal with a problem or challenge. (Having a lot of difficulties.) | |
| Hippie 62 | A person, often from the 1960s/70s, who lives a relaxed, non-traditional life, often focused on nature and peace. (Used here to describe a person with a non-traditional lifestyle/cause.) | |
| Vanished 63 | Disappeared suddenly and completely. (Gone without a trace.) | |
| Bury your head in the sand 64 | To refuse to face or think about unpleasant facts or problems. (Ignoring a problem, like an ostrich hiding its head.) | |
| Slumped 65 | Having shoulders or a body bent forward because of sadness, tiredness, or disappointment. (Drooping or sagging down.) |
Chapter 5 Story Summary
Kara was walking home from the coast road, hoping her Dad wouldn’t notice she was late. She wished she could sneak in because her dad had a late shift at the café.
Suddenly, a car pulled up, and the passenger window slid down1. It was her Aunt Bev, who was furious2. Aunt Bev ordered Kara to get in the car now3. Kara got into the backseat next to her cousin, Daisy, who was in her dressing gown and slippers, munching on a family pack of chips444.
Aunt Bev yelled at Kara, asking, “What’s wrong?“5. Kara saw Daisy point at her and draw a hand across her throat—a sign that Kara was in big trouble6. Aunt Bev shouted that the coastguard and police were looking for Kara, and her dad was in a bad state and had gone with them7. Aunt Bev warned Kara she had questions to answer when they got back8.
They drove home in silence and darkness9. Daisy squeezed Kara’s hand and whispered that she told them Kara would be okay, but they wouldn’t listen10.
Back at the house, Uncle Tom was phoning the police and coastguard to say Kara was found11. Kara sat in the kitchen waiting for her dad12. Daisy, who was supposed to go to bed, stayed at the kitchen table13.
Daisy leaned close and asked Kara, “What happened?“14. Kara whispered that the white dolphin came15. Daisy’s eyes grew wide; she was the only one who knew about Kara’s dreams16. Aunt Bev then sent Daisy to bed with warm milk17.
Aunt Bev told Kara to stay 18 and questioned her. She mentioned hearing that Kara had busted Jake Evans’s nose19. Aunt Bev was upset because Uncle Tom worked for Jake Evans’s dad, and she worried Uncle Tom might lose his job20. Kara apologized21. Aunt Bev started to say they needed to have a “straight talking” about how hard things were for the family22.
But before Aunt Bev could finish, Dad burst through the door23. He hugged Kara tightly, and she felt small again24. Dad apologized to Kara25.
Aunt Bev said Kara should be the one who was sorry26. But Dad held Kara and apologized again for what he said about Mum27. Kara smiled and told him it would be okay because Mum sent a sign—the white dolphin28.
Aunt Bev got angry, slammed her mug down 29, and shouted that Kara’s mother stopped caring the day she left30. She questioned how long Dad would wait for her, saying Kay’s place was at home31313131.
Kara shouted back that her Mum was a marine biologist stopping people from catching wild dolphins32. Aunt Bev ignored her, urging Dad to face that Kay was not coming back33333333. She said the only thing they knew was that Mum had landed in the Solomon Islands a year ago, checked into a hotel, and vanished34. The case was closed35.
Aunt Bev also brought up that Dad had to pay all of Kay’s debts from the trip and diving gear36. Dad stood up, chair scraping back, and said he was leaving37. Aunt Bev yelled that Dad had no house, no job, and soon no boat38. She ordered Kara to stop talking about dolphins39.
Kara still believed the dolphin was a sign that Mum was out there and would come back so they could sail away together on their boat, Moana40404040.
The phone rang41. Uncle Tom answered and gave it to Dad42. Dad walked back into the kitchen, his shoulders slumped, and told them it was an offer to view Moana—their boat—this weekend43.
Multiple Choice Questions
- Who stops Kara on the road home?
a) Her Dad
b) Uncle Tom
c) Aunt Bev
d) The police - What was Daisy doing in the car?
a) Sleeping
b) Munching a family pack of crisps
c) Reading a book
d) Doing homework - What was the big trouble Kara was in?
a) She broke curfew.
b) She failed a test.
c) She stole a car.
d) The police and coastguard were looking for her. - What did Kara whisper to Daisy about what happened?
a) She went swimming.
b) She saw Jake Evans.
c) The white dolphin came.
d) She went to the café. - What did Aunt Bev accuse Kara of doing that could affect Uncle Tom’s job?
a) Busting Jake Evans’s nose
b) Stealing from the café
c) Running away from school
d) Damaging the boat, Moana - For what did Dad first apologize to Kara?
a) Being late for his shift.
b) Not finding her sooner.
c) What he said about Mum.
d) Selling the boat. - What is Kara’s Mum’s job?
a) A sailor
b) A marine biologist
c) A coastguard
d) A café worker - Where did Kara’s Mum vanish?
a) On a ship
b) The Solomon Islands
c) At the airport
d) On the boat, Moana - What did the final phone call offer?
a) A job for Dad
b) An offer to view the boat, Moana
c) News about Mum
d) A call from Jake Evans’s dad