Name_____________________________________________

Date________________

Word Meanings from Context 13

Use the context of the selections to choose the correct meanings of the underlined words.

1. Ashlee was not happy with her friend Samantha. “I’ve been waiting here for an hour!” she growled into her cell phone. “You’d better hike yourself over here,” she continued, “or we’ll leave without you.

What is the meaning of “hike”? __________.

a. hurry, or hasten
b. stroll, or walk slowly
c. float above the trees
d. greet in an unfriendly manner

2. When Beth and Donna were fighting over a boy who didn’t like either one of them, Shana stepped in as a mediator. She sat them both in a corner and kept them talking to each other. Finally, Shana’s efforts resulted in her two friends making up.

What is the meaning of “mediator”? __________.

a. troublemaker
b. peacemaker
c. witness
d. competitor

3. No one suspected that Jerry was a spy. On the surface he behaved like any normal citizen. When his covert activity was discovered and announced to the world, we were all shocked.

What is the meaning of “covert”? __________.

a. friendly
b. helpful
c. loud
d. hidden

4. The workers stood in front of the factory and wondered what to do next. The doors were locked and the windows were boarded up. They doubted that they would even collect their final pay checks now that the company was insolvent.

What is the meaning of “insolvent”? __________.

a. broke, or out of money
b. hiring new workers
c. changing a name
d. making too much money

Answers: 1. A  2. B   3. D  4. A

Vocabulary 12

Name_____________________________________________

Date________________

Word Meanings from Context 12

Use the context of the paragraphs to determine the meanings of the highlighted words.

1. We walked slowly down the trail with great trepidation. No one who had gone this way had ever been heard from again. Had they simply found a better place to settle on this dark planet? We doubted that.

Which word is a synonym of “trepidation”?

a. movement
b. worry
c. enjoyment
d. laughter

2. Only an hour or so had passed before a tremendous roar shook the ground. At that very moment, a strange grey creature materialized before our eyes. It resembled a lizard in shape. It was about ten feet high at the shoulders and at least fifty feet long.

What did the creature do?

a. It whipped its tail back and forth.
b. It stamped its feet.
c. It showed its sharp teeth.
d. It appeared.

3. Kathy was looking for a strong but light material to use for making her water jugs. Unfortunately, she chose noodelite. It proved to too porous to hold jelly.

A porous material _____.

a. is good for holding things that you pour
b. protects you in pouring rain
c. allows liquids to flow through it
d. is necessary for making bowling balls

4. We have rather lofty expectations for you, son. You will attend college. You will become rich and famous. You will be elected president of the United States before you turn forty.

Which word is a synonym of “lofty”?

a. high
b. shaky
c. small
d. lowly

Answers: 1. B  2. D   3. C  4. A 

Vocabulary 11

Name_____________________________________________

Date________________

Word Meanings from Context 11

1. If you count all the votes in an area that heavily supports candidate A, and only some of the votes in an area that heavily supports candidate B, you’ll skew the results in favor of candidate A.

What does “skew” mean?

a. roast
b. ignore
c. slant
d. ask

2. The home team made sure that the officials were on their side. They won a close game and the championship with many questionable decisions from the officials. However, no one from any other town would accept the winners as legitimate champions.

What does “legitimate” mean?

a. real
b. talented
c. sneaky
d. good looking

3. Some people believe that lawyers are always working to see that justice is done. On the other hand, some believe that lawyers only want to manipulate the legal system to get what they want. Could both sides be right?

What does “manipulate” mean?

a. control in a dishonest way
b. give help
c. teach about or explain
d. disagree with

4. Both sides battled for years. They were very far apart and could find no way to make a lasting peace. When the fighting finally came to an end, everyone was exhausted and embittered.

What does “embittered” mean?

a. very angry, resentful
b. sour tasting
c. humorous
d. annoyed

Answers: 1. C   2. A   3. A  4. A  

Vocabulary 10

Name_____________________________________________

Date________________

Word Meanings from Context 10

1. Both sides in the election contest are throwing accusations at each other. The Gore supporters claim that Governor Bush is trying to thwart the will of the people. The Bush supporters say that Mr. Gore is trying to create votes or assign choices to people who did not really cast votes for president.

What does “thwart” mean?

a. help
b. figure out
c. block
d. tickle

2. There is a legal battle raging and the judges are concerned that time is running out. Lawyers are being asked to expedite the matter by getting their paperwork in early.

What does “expedite” mean?

a. quicken
b. agree on
c. sue
d. discuss

3. The Florida legislature believes that it has the power to choose the winner of the election if the courts haven’t finished their work by December 12. Both houses are controlled by Republicans and they would surely resolve the matter in Bush’s favor.

What does “resolve” mean?

a. cancel
b. consider
c. debate
d. settle

4. The election could actually end up being decided in the U.S. Congress. Al Gore’s vice presidential running mate, Joe Lieberman, and perhaps Mr. Gore himself, would be able to vote on the matter. Some would argue that they should recuse themselves, but they would probably exercise their right to vote.

What does “recuse” mean?

a. step aside and not be involved
b. admit that you are wrong
c. leave the country
d. insist on being heard

Answers: 1. C   2. A   3. D  4. A