AGNES ELISABETH ENA Pengarang Alexander Home Kabelen Dosen Pembimbing 1 Zantty O. Padahana Dosen Pembimbing 2 Alexander Home Kabelen Penguji 1 Dewi I N Bili Bora Ketua Penguji Zantty O. Padahana Penguji 2

This study aims at analyzing the vocabulary mastery of twelfth-grade students at SMA Negeri 5 Kupang in academic year 2024/2025 in writing recount texts and identify the difficulties they encounter. The method used in this study was a mixed method that is qualitative and quantitative method. The writer collected data through writing tests and interviews. The findings reveal that students' vocabulary mastery is generally at an average level, with common challenges in spelling, word choice, sentence structure, and grammar. Difficulties in organizing ideas, developing coherent paragraphs, and using appropriate grammar, particularly past tense verbs, were also identified as significant obstacles encountered by students in writing recount text. These issues highlight the need for more effective teaching strategies to enhance students’ vocabulary proficiency and writing skills. Addressing these challenges can help improve their ability to write well-structured and meaningful recount texts. Keywords: Vocabulary mastery, recount text, students’ writing difficulties