The Breadwinner

Vocabulary List 2

distinguish

• Recognize something is different• Page 37 – The night was so dark, she

could not distinguish between the window and the wall.

intact

• With no parts missing• Page 104-105 – There wasn’t a single

intact building in the whole area, just piles of bricks, dust and rubble.

nomads

• Wanderers with no permanent home• Page 126 – “Sure I can. I’ve got it all

figured out. I’ll tell a group of nomads that I’m an orphan, and I’ll travel with them into Pakistan.”

undertaking

• A task taken on• Page 126 – “You’ll go by yourself!”

Parvana couldn’t imagine undertaking such a journey on her own.

seldom

• Rarely; not often• Page 136 – “I’m tired of looking after

the little ones. My school classes happen so seldom, they’re of almost no value. There’s no future for me here.”

merely

• Only; nothing more• Page 136 – Parvana, out at work, had no

voice in these decisions. She was merely informed of the plans when she got home in the evening.

poultice

• A soft, moist material; used as medicine• Page 156 – …the poultice bandages Mrs.

Weera put over his wounds had to be changed and washed frequently.

refugee

• Person who flees for safety• Page 159 – “They are staying in refugee

camps outside the city.”

exile

• Force a person to leave country/home• Page 160 – They were going to link up

with the members of the women’s group who were organizing Afghan women in exile.

derision

• Verbal attack; mockery• Page 162 – “The marketplace is no spot

for flowers. Why are you planting them there?” Through the voices of derision came another voice.