READING 1 OF 23 focus words
Working the lock
Read for meaning first. Select a highlighted word if you want a closer look.
One notch in the old key was barely visible beneath the wax. The curator warmed the wax just enough to make it pliant.
Her assistant had a knack for seeing where an object wanted to move. She eased the key sideways instead of turning it harder.
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.