Page 750

flam • boy • ant adj., showy, extravagant. People stared at Nia’s flamboyant outfit.

Page 751

rut • ted adj., bumpy and marked by tracks made by wheels. The car jolted over the rutted dirt road.

pros • per v., succeed, thrive. The plant prospered in the sunny spot.

Page 752

con • fron • ta • tion n., heated opposition. The confrontation might have led to a fight if Ms. Marquez hadn’t stepped in.

Page 753

taunt v., jeer, mock. Jose ignored the taunts and the names Irwin called him.

wan • ing adj., approaching the end. During the waning hours of the day, the setting sun turns the sky a rosy color.

Page 754

dis • may v., afraid because of a fear of danger or trouble. We were dismayed to see the team performing poorly at practice before the big game.

ex • ploit n., bold deed. The crook’s exploits made the front page of the newspaper.