dunce - A derogatory term used to ridicule someone who is not very clever, or who does not learn easily.
Being called the dunce of the class motivated Joe to work harder and he finished top of the class. Now sometimes he puts on a joker's costume to make fun of those who used to make fun of him.
wonder - To feel curiosity or doubt about something; to question or inquire about something, often with a sense of awe or amazement.

When she saw the magician perform his final trick with the glass ball, she couldn't stop wondering how he did the trick.