An unfamiliar room
Read for meaning first. Select a highlighted word if you want a closer look.
On her first evening at a bookbinding class, Mira was apprehensive about joining people who already seemed to know one another. She gave herself time to acclimate to the crowded workroom, the unfamiliar tools, and the pace of the instructor's demonstrations. A conversation with the person beside her revealed an affinity for illustrated travel journals. That shared interest gave them an easy starting point while they practiced folding their first sheets of paper.
Mira's affinity for visual storytelling did not mean that every unfamiliar technique immediately felt comfortable. Still apprehensive about asking a basic question, she waited until the instructor invited the group to discuss what had been difficult. Hearing several similar concerns helped her acclimate to the class without pretending she already understood everything. By the end of the evening, she had one completed sample and a clearer idea of what she wanted to try next.
Before you move on
Look away from the passage. Can you explain each focus word in your own words?
Original fictional passages for vocabulary practice.