Name _____________________________ Class _________________ Date __________________
Unit 1: Collection 2
Vocabulary Development
SKILL BUILDER
Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy? Tim O’Brien
Activity 1: Semantic Mapping
Creating a semantic map can help you represent different types of word
knowledge in graphic form. Based on the example, create a semantic map for
each of these vocabulary words from “Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?”
on your own paper: stealth, diffuse, skirted, inert, valiantly.
Example
Activity 2: Exploring Deeper Meanings
Choose the statement that provides an accurate example of the meaning of each
vocabulary word.
1. stealth
A) The soldiers moved toward the enemy lines with great care so as not to be
discovered.
B) The soldiers moved across the open field in a wide line.
2. diffuse
A) After the soccer game, Mike’s soreness was a dull ache throughout his back
and legs.
B) After the soccer game, Mike’s broken ankle throbbed with a sharp, stabbing
pain.
3. skirted
A) Bruce veered to the outside of the other pedestrians walking on the sidewalk.
B) Bruce pushed right through the other pedestrians walking on the sidewalk.
4. inert
A) The ant lay motionless on the counter.
B) The ant scrambled across the counter.
Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
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Unit 1 Resources
Name _____________________________ Class _________________ Date __________________
Unit 1: Collection 2, Vocabulary Development continued
5. valiantly
A) Although heavily outnumbered, the knights charged the enemy lines.
B) The knights charged the retreating army.
Activity 3: Changing Contexts
Each vocabulary word from “Where Have You Gone, Charming Billy?” is used
at least once in the following sentences. Fill in each word where it best fits the
context.
Example Ryan skirted his uncle to get to the buffet table.
stealth
diffuse
skirted
inert
valiantly
6. The water buffalo fought _______________________ against the lion.
7. Paolo _______________________ the large rock blocking the path.
8. Bryan felt_______________________ muscle pain after the long hike.
9. The dog sniffed at the _______________________ possum lying on the back porch.
10. The panther crept with _______________________ toward its prey.
Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
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Unit 1 Resources