Table
of
Contents
Chapter 1 Vocabulary
TAKS Objectives/TEKS Expectations
Lesson 1
Roots and Affixes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.2 (A), 2 (D)
Lesson 2
Context Clues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.2 (B)
Lesson 3
Synonyms and Antonyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
1.2 (B)
Lesson 4
Analogies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2 (C)
Lesson 5
Using Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
1.2 (E)
✔ Progress Check 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
✔ Progress Check 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Chapter 2 Reading Comprehension
Lesson 6
Main Idea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
3.10 (A), Fig.19 (A)
Lesson 7
Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
3.10 (A), Fig.19 (A)
Lesson 8
Summarize and Paraphrase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
2.Fig.19 (E), 3.10 (A), 3.Fig.19 (E),
Fig.19 (C)
Lesson 9
Make Inferences and Draw Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
2.Fig.19 (D), 3.10 (C), 3.Fig.19 (D),
Fig.19 (B)
Lesson 10 Text Structure: Cause and Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
3.10 (C)
Lesson 11 Text Structure: Problem and Solution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
3.10 (C)
Lesson 12 Text Structure: Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
3.10 (C)
Lesson 13 Text Structure: Compare and Contrast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
1.9 (A), 1.Fig.19 (F), 3.10 (D),
3.Fig.19 (D), 3.Fig.19 (E)
Lesson 14 Graphic Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
3.12 (B)
✔ Progress Check 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
✔ Progress Check 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Chapter 3 Literary Texts
Lesson 15 Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
2.3 (C)
Lesson 16 Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
2.3 (C)
Lesson 17 Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
2.6 (A), 2.Fig.19 (E)
Lesson 18 Point of View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
2.6 (C), 2.Fig.19 (D), Fig.19 (B)
Lesson 19 Theme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
1.3 (A), 2.3 (C), 2.6 (B)
Lesson 20 Poetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
2.4 (A)
Lesson 21 Drama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
2.5 (A)
Lesson 22 Patterns in Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
1.3 (A), 1.3 (B), 2.5 (A), 1.Fig.19 (F)
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Chapter 1 • Lesson 1
Roots and Affixes
A root is the main part of a word. An affix is a letter or set of letters that is
added to a root. An affix changes the meaning of the word. A prefix is added
to the beginning of a root. A suffix is added to the end of a root. English words
often have Latin and Greek roots and/or affixes. Some of these are aud (Latin
for hear), demos (Greek for people), dis- (Latin for not), and -ment (Latin for
action). English also contains some common words and word parts that came
directly from other languages. The word or word part’s spelling and meaning
can be the same across both languages. Here is a list of common roots,
prefixes, and suffixes:
charis (Greek) – grace
chorus (Latin) – ring of dancers and singers
symbolum (Latin) – sign, indication
fauna (Latin) – animals of an area or time
flora (Latin) – plant life of an area or time
phaenomenon (Latin) – fact, occurrence
-ist (Latin) – one who
-or (Latin) – one who
-al (Latin) – in a way
-able (Latin) – can be done
mis- (Latin) – wrong
im- (Latin) not
Think about roots, affixes, and common words.
1. Underline the root in the following words.
dentist
dental
denture
2. Circle the words that use affixes.
submarine
mister
joyous
dial
The Tigers were playing in the postseason of the city basketball tournament. It was the first
time Doug was playing. He had a lot of charisma and the crowd loved him. But could he help
the team advance to the finals? The Tigers were down by one point when Doug threw the ball
from center court. It popped into the net. The Tigers won!
Make a check ( ✓ ) next to the correct answer.
1. The word postseason
has a
prefix. _
suffix. _
prefix and suffix. _
2. The word charisma
includes the root
chorus. _
flora. _
charis. _
3. Which word includes the
Latin root pop, meaning
“people”?
popular _
point _
popped _
Duplicating any part of this book is prohibited by law.
Read the story. Then complete the activity.
4 Chapter 1 • Vocabulary
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Read the passage.
You may not have heard of Thomas Nast, but you have probably seen his work. Nast was
born in Germany in 1840. His family moved to the United States when he was six. Although he
did not have any art training, Nast began to work as a cartoonist when he was just fifteen years
old. He used his drawings to point out the illegal activities of politicians to his audience. He chose
symbols for the political parties. A donkey represented the Democrats. An elephant represented
the Republicans. He also created the famous image of Santa Claus we know today—a chubby,
bearded man in a red suit.
First read the question and all the possible answers. Next read what
Coach says. Then circle the letter in front of the best answer.
1. Which word in the passage has a root that
means “hear” or “listen”?
A. training
B. fifteen
C. audience
D. chubby
2. Which word in the passage means
“representative images”?
A. symbols
B. parties
C. drawings
D. activities
Duplicating any part of this book is prohibited by law.
3. In which word does -ist mean the same as
it does in cartoonist?
A. waist
B. twist
C. resist
D. violinist
I think about what each word means. The root
of answer A does not match the meaning in
the question, so I can cross it out. Answer B
is a number, so it is also probably not correct.
Finally, I cross out answer D because I do not
recognize a root in the word that might be
related to hearing or listening.
There is a list of common roots and affixes at
the beginning of this lesson. As I look at the list,
I see that the Latin word symbolum means
“sign” or “indication.” This seems closest to
the meaning I want. I look for plural words
that contain this root and meaning. I cross
out answers B, C, and D. Although they are
plural, they do not contain the right word
part or meaning.
Based on the meaning of the word cartoonist,
I know that the suffix -ist means “one who.”
I cross out answer A because a waist is not
a person, and wa is not a root word. I also
eliminate answer B because tw does not form a
root word, and twist is not a person. The word
resist is an action, so answer C is wrong, as well.
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Read the passage. Think about word parts and origins. Then go to Stop and Think
and follow the directions.
Cristina frowned as Monique said her lines onstage. It was the
last day of rehearsal for the school play and Cristina was nervous.
But Monique looked very relaxed as she began to recite the
funniest lines in the comedy.
2
For now, Cristina was just a spectator, waiting to make her
entrance. She glanced at Mr. Nguyen. Six weeks ago at auditions,
five girls had tried out for the part of Minnie Dawkins. It was the
lead role in the play. Cristina had prepared for the audition very
well. She was sure she would get the part. But after reviewing his
notes and asking Cristina and Monique to read their lines again,
Mr. Nguyen had given the part to Monique. For a few seconds,
Cristina was certain she had misunderstood. But Monique’s
scream of delight revealed the truth.
3
Cristina landed the part of Jessica, Minnie’s friend. Her
mother told her that this was a good role, too. But she was still
disappointed. During rehearsals, Cristina had found it nearly
impossible to hide her bitterness. But she had done her best
playing Jessica.
4
Cristina stopped daydreaming when Monique said, “Oh, look,
here’s Jessica. I must confide in her at once!” That was her cue.
Cristina put on a charismatic smile and walked onstage. She read
her lines, giggling the way Mr. Nguyen had told her to. At the
end of the scene, he clapped.
5
“That was wonderful, girls. Cristina, you ARE Jessica. That’s
why I gave you that role. You do it perfectly.”
6
Cristina was happily surprised. She didn’t feel sad any more
about not getting the part of Minnie. In fact, she felt pretty good
about it.
1
Stop and Think
What does the root word
of nervous mean? Circle
the word or words that
help you figure it out.
Find the word comedy.
This word has a Greek
root. Draw a wavy line
under the word in the
sentence that helps
you understand what
comedy means.
Draw two lines under
the prefix in the word
misunderstood. Use
the prefix’s meaning to
figure out the word’s
meaning.
The Latin root fide
means “trust.” How does
this help you understand
the meaning of confide?
Underline words in the
passage that also help
you to figure out the
word’s meaning.
Draw a box around the
word that has a common
word part meaning
“grace.”
Duplicating any part of this book is prohibited by law.
The Perfect Role
6 Chapter 1 • Vocabulary
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Lesson 1: Roots and Affixes
Practice
Tips 1. Read the question. 2. Read ALL the answers. 3. Pick the answer you think is correct.
Answer each question about The Perfect Role. Circle the letter in front of the correct answer.
1. In which word does -ous mean the same
as it does in nervous?
A. grouse
B. house
C. famous
D. mouse
4. Knowing the prefix mis- helps the reader
know that misunderstood MOST LIKELY
means
A. understood wrongly.
B. understood clearly.
C. understood again.
D. in an understanding way.
2. The word comedy includes the Greek word
part komos, which has a meaning related
to “letting loose.” What does comedy
MOST LIKELY mean?
A. secret actions
B. one who performs
C. a place for a public show
5. In which word does im- mean the same as
it does in impossible?
A. imitate
B. impatient
C. improve
D. important
D. funny entertainment
3. The word spectator includes the Latin root
spect, which means “look.” What does
spectator MOST LIKELY mean?
A. one who observes
B. not looking
C. a machine for looking
D. a visible object
Duplicating any part of this book is prohibited by law.
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