Key Vocabulary
| Word | Definition | Usage (Sentence) |
|---|---|---|
| phenomenon | A fact or situation that is observed to exist, especially one whose cause is in question. | The Northern Lights are a beautiful natural phenomenon. |
| enhances | Improves the quality, value, or extent of something. | Adding a little salt enhances the flavor of the chocolate. |
| vibrant | Full of energy and life; bright and striking. | The city is known for its vibrant nightlife and culture. |
| acclaimed | Praised enthusiastically and publicly. | She is a critically acclaimed author with several awards. |
| overwhelming | Very great in amount or effect. | The support she received from her friends was overwhelming. |
| cacophony | A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds. | The sound of the busy market was a cacophony of voices and music. |
| insincerity | The quality of not expressing genuine feelings. | I could detect the insincerity in his apology. |
| unease | A feeling of anxiety or discontent. | There was a feeling of unease in the room after his announcement. |
| confront | Face up to and deal with a problem or difficult situation. | It’s time to confront your fear of public speaking. |
| perception | The way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted. | His perception of the situation was different from mine. |
| nuance | A subtle difference in meaning, expression, or sound. | A good actor can express every nuance of a character’s emotions. |
| spectrum | A wide range of something. | The course covers a broad spectrum of historical topics. |
| dissonance | A lack of harmony or agreement. | There was a noticeable dissonance between his words and his actions. |
| integrity | The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. | He is known for his professional integrity. |
| navigate | To find a way to deal with a difficult situation. | She is trying to navigate the complexities of her new job. |
| profound | Very great or intense; having deep insight. | The experience had a profound effect on her. |
| transformed | Made a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance. | The new design completely transformed the look of the room. |
| genuine | Truly what something is said to be; authentic. | He showed genuine concern for his friend’s problems. |
| revealing | Making interesting or significant things known. | The interview was very revealing about his true character. |
| confrontation | A hostile or argumentative meeting or situation. | He would do anything to avoid a direct confrontation with his boss. |
The Story
After a minor stage accident involving faulty wiring, musician Leo started experiencing a strange phenomenon. Sounds had gained a visual component: he could see music. At first, it was a beautiful gift that greatly enhances his art. His compositions became more complex and emotionally vibrant, earning him widespread praise. His new album was critically acclaimed, and he felt he was at the peak of his creative powers.
But the gift soon became overwhelming. Every sound, from a distant siren to a person’s cough, produced a color. The city turned into a visual cacophony that assaulted his senses. Worse, he began to see the colors of people’s voices, revealing their hidden emotions. He perceived the insincerity of a critic’s praise as a muddy brown, and the polite laughter of an acquaintance as a sickly green, creating a constant state of unease.
Leo had to confront difficult truths everywhere. His new perception of the world was isolating. The most painful discovery was the subtle nuance of grey he saw in his girlfriend Anna’s voice whenever she said she loved his new, successful music. The full emotional spectrum he now witnessed was exhausting, and he wasn’t sure he wanted this ability anymore.
During a sold-out concert, the adoration of the crowd appeared as a brilliant gold, but it was mixed with ugly streaks of jealousy and boredom. He saw Anna in the audience, and the color of her applause was a pale, sad blue. The emotional dissonance became too much, and he ended the show early. The later confrontation was difficult, but Anna admitted with great integrity that she missed his old, simpler music and was only trying to support him.
Leo learned to navigate this new sense. He realized it offered a more honest connection to the world. The experience had a profound impact on him, and his art was transformed once more, becoming more authentic than ever. He could now see the genuine color of Anna’s love, a steady, warm gold that was more beautiful than any song he could ever write.
Comprehension Quiz
Type the correct long-form answer (e.g., “Yes, it is” or “No, they are not”). You’ll get instant feedback!
Correct Answers Key
1. No, it was not.
2. No, it did not.
3. No, it did not.
4. No, it did not.
5. Yes, he did.
6. No, they did not.
7. No, it was not.
8. Yes, it did.
9. No, he did not.
10. No, it was not.
