Magic Squares—Answer Key
Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare
Act IV
Purpose of the Strategy
A way to make a vocabulary activity come alive is the magic square. The magic
square is an arrangement of numbers that can be added across, down or
diagonally, and will always equal the same sum. The following is an example form
China which originated several thousand years ago.
Directions
STEP 1
Hand out Magic Squares worksheet and ask students to follow the instructions. They
may use a dictionary and do it during class or take it home for homework.
STEP 2
When the worksheet is completed, briefly go over the vocabulary words. Ask a few
students to use the words in a sentence.
A
B
16
E
C
5
F
2
I
G
11
J
3
M
13
D
9
7
K
10
N
14
L
6
O
8
4
H
12
15
P
1
The Magic Number is __34__
A. Immoderately
B. Slander
C. Pensive
D. Forsooth
E. Surcease
person
F. Arbitrating
G. Inundation
H. Gadding
I. Peevish
J. Orisons
K. Culled
L. Environed
Summers 2001
1
1. one that receives and contains something
2. to come to an end
3. querulous in temperament or mood
4. in truth -- often used to imply contempt or doubt
5. a false and defamatory oral statement about a
6. to select from a group
7. to cover with a flood
8. destructive of life
9. suggestive of sad thoughtfulness
10. prayer
11. submitting or referring for decision to an arbiter
12. needlework consisting of the interlocking of
looped
12
stitches formed with a single thread and a
hooked
needle
13. a song or hymn of grief or lamentation
14. to be on the go without a specific aim or
M. Dirge
N. Pestilent
purpose
O. Crochet
P. Receptacle
15. encircled, surrounded
16. exceeding just, usual, or suitable bounds
Magic Squares
Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare
Act IV
Name _______________________________
Directions:
Look up the selected vocabulary words in the dictionary from Act IV of
Romeo and Juliet and match them to their definition on the left. Place
the corresponding number of the definition in the proper space on the
grid. The total numbers will be the same across each row, diagonally, and
down each column. Find the magic number.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
The Magic Number is ______
A. Immoderately
something
B. Slander
C. Pensive
Summers 2001
1
1. one that receives and contains
2. to come to an end
3. querulous in temperament or mood
13
D. Forsooth
4. in truth -- often used to imply contempt or
doubt
E. Surcease
about a person
F. Arbitrating
G. Inundation
H. Gadding
I. Peevish
J. Orisons
K. Culled
5. a false and defamatory oral statement
6. to select from a group
7. to cover with a flood
8. destructive of life
9. suggestive of sad thoughtfulness
10. prayer
11. submitting or referring for decision to an
arbiter
L. Environed
12. needlework consisting of the interlocking of
M. Dirge
N. Pestilent
13. a song or hymn of grief or lamentation
14. to be on the go without a specific aim or
looped
stitches formed with a single thread and a
hooked needle
purpose
O. Crochet
P. Receptacle
Summers 2001
1
15. encircled, surrounded
16. exceeding just, usual, or suitable bounds
14