Jargon
Vocabulary Study
in Disguise
WORDS IN
THIS LESSON:
concentrate
fortunate
impatient
incompetent
mechanized
momentarily
multiple
ricocheted
4.29 Bathroom Break Attack
Directions: before you read the short story in the center column, either research independently, or listen as your teacher
provides, the definitions of the words found to either side. Record these definitions concisely in the space given. These terms
are used by the story's author in the tale itself. Knowing what each word means prior to reading the story will ultimately help
you both understand the text better, and answer the vocabulary assessment questions on the reverse side of this page easier.
fortunate (adj)
Bathroom Break Attack
concentrate (v)
momentarily (adv)
incompetent (adj)
(adj) multiple
(adj) mechanized
"We're taking fire from multiple targets," said
one of three soldiers. They had their backsides to
each other as they tried to fend off an enemy
attack from the rooftops above. Rapid gunfire and
explosions drowned out most sounds. So, it was
fortunate that the fighters wore mechanized suits
of armor that had been equipped with internal
communication radios. Bullets ricocheted off their
tough metal shells—making it difficult for the three
men to stand steady and keep blasting away.
"These guys are pretty good shots, captain!"
"Roger that," replied the leader of the soldiers.
"Just concentrate and keep your guard up. We'll
get out of this. Gibbs! Why aren't you shooting?"
"I am shooting!" shouted Gibbs.
"Well, you aren't shooting enough. Get trigger
happy or we'll be taken out in a heartbeat!"
"I'm trying! It's just that..."
"What?" asked the captain with an impatient
tone as he aimed and fired his machine gun.
"I have to go to the bathroom."
Momentarily, the captain dropped his firearm
to his side and looked in the direction of his fellow
warrior. "You've got to be kidding me."
Gibbs shook his head and looked at the ground.
"I wanted to take care of business before we left
the spaceship. But, this body armor is just too
difficult to get off and back on quickly."
"Sometimes, I think I lead some of the most
incompetent soldiers in our platoon," said the
captain. "Just go ahead and relieve yourself in the
suit. We'll clean it out when we return to the ship."
"But, if I do that, won't my metal pants rust?"
asked Gibbs as he jumped up and down.
"You go to the bathroom and you do it now!
Archie and I will cover you. That's an order!"
(v) ricocheted
(adj) impatient
Assessment Questions:
1. The word fortunate, as used in
the first paragraph, could best
be replaced by the word—
A.
B.
C.
D.
A
disastrous.
lucky.
happy.
unlucky.
B
C
D
2. Which of the following terms is
an antonym for impatient, as it is
used in the 7th paragraph?
A.
B.
C.
D.
A
Hasty.
Eager.
Hotheaded.
Tolerant.
B
A
C
D
A.
B.
C.
D.
C
D
Capable.
Proficient.
Skilled.
Inept.
B
C
D
5. The word ricocheted appears in
the fifth sentence of the story's
first paragraph. Which of these
following phrases has the same
meaning as ricocheted in the way
that it is used in the story?
A.
B.
C.
D.
numerous.
hardly any.
few.
a small amount of.
B
"Sometimes, I think I lead some
of the most incompetent soldiers
in our platoon."
A
3. The best definition for the word
multiple, as used in paragraph 1,
would be—
A.
B.
C.
D.
4. Which of these words could be
used in substitution for the term
incompetent, as chosen for use
by the author in the following
excerpt from the story:
A
A.
B.
C.
D.
A
C
D
fleetingly.
for a moment.
temporarily.
for a long while.
B
C
D
7. The term mechanized is used to
describe the suits of armor worn
by the soldiers. What does this
word likely mean?
A.
B.
C.
D.
A
Mechanical.
Motorized.
Computerized.
All of the above.
B
C
D
8. A synonym for concentrate, a
word from paragraph 3, is—
A.
B.
C.
D.
Melted into.
Bounced off.
Broke apart.
Got stuck in.
B
6. The opposite of momentarily, as
the word is used in the ninth
paragraph, is—
A
focus.
gather.
collect.
accumulate.
B
C
D
Overview of JARGON:
Jargon Vocabulary Study In Disguise exercises give your students a brief passage of text to read that includes the
use of eight targeted terms. Your students first research the definitions of these terms. This way, as they encounter
these words during reading, they’ll better comprehend the text as a whole. After students complete the reading
assignment, they then answer a barrage word usage assessment questions that directly involve the eight targeted
terms of the lesson. Jargon Vocabulary Study In Disguise exercises are best used as an addition to your formal word
work or spelling lessons—adding a little advanced vocabulary development when students least expect it.
Readability Level:
This free sample of Jargon has a 4th grade level of readability.
Answer Key for This Version of JARGON:
1: B / 2: D / 3: A / 4: D / 5: B / 6: D / 7: D / 8: A
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