Study Island - Context Clues
Standard
GA Grade 7, ELA Standard
ELACC7RL4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative
meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or
stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
GA Grade 7, ELA Standard
ELACC7RI4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and
technical meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
GA Grade 7, ELA Standard
ELACC7L4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading
and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a
clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., belligerent,
bellicose, rebel).
Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and
digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning or its part of speech.
Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in
context or in a dictionary).
GA Grade 7, ELA Standard
ELACC7L6
Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather
vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
Copyright © 2014 Edmentum - All rights reserved.
Generation Date: 02/04/2014
Generated By: Shenica Bridges-Mathieu
1.
The Japanese ghost story was set in a creepy, ancient shrine. It was in disrepair,
having been abandoned long ago by the original worshippers.
What is the meaning of the word shrine in the selection above?
A. a musical chamber
B. a house on the lake
C. an old factory
D. a place of worship
2.
John was an extrovert who enjoyed being with crowds of people and seemed to
feed off their energy. The more people he was around, the louder, friendlier, and more
lively he became.
What is the meaning of the word extrovert in the selection above?
A. someone who is outgoing
B. someone who is soft-spoken
C. someone who is strange
D. someone who is cruel
About Hurricanes
Miami Museum of Science
A tropical cyclone is a storm system that has several thunderstorms and a low pressure
center. Depending upon where they are located and their severity, these storms can
also be called typhoons, tropical depressions, or hurricanes.
A hurricane is a powerful storm that measures several hundred miles in diameter.
Hurricanes have two main parts. The first is the eye of the hurricane; the eye is a calm
area in the center of the storm. Usually, the eye of a hurricane measures about 20 miles
in diameter, and has very few clouds. The second part is the wall of clouds that
surrounds the calm eye. This is where the hurricane's strongest winds and heaviest rain
occur.
Hurricanes are born over warm, tropical oceans. Hurricanes are fueled by water
vapor that is pushed up from the warm ocean surface, so they can last longer and
sometimes move much further over water than over land. The combination of heat and
moisture, along with the right wind conditions, can create a new hurricane.
The colors in hurricane radar images show the amount of rain falling in a given area.
Each raindrop reflects the energy from the radar. The more raindrops in a certain area,
the brighter the color in the radar image of that area. Radar images measure the
amount of moisture in the air. The brighter the color on the radar image, the more
moisture in the air. The bright red color around the eye indicates the area of heaviest
rainfall. The green-colored area has a moderate amount of rain, while the blue areas
represent the least amount of rain.
3. What does the word depressions mean in the passage?
A. violent, tropical, cyclonic storms with high wind speeds
B. a storm that exerts little power or force
C. the wall of clouds that surrounds the calm eye
D. violent thunderstorms with a large rectangular cloud wall
4.
Daly was hurt while scouting in the snowstorm. His fellow explorers rescued him
and brought him back to the base camp to recuperate. His injuries were nothing that a
little rest couldn't mend.
What is the meaning of the word recuperate in the selection above?
A. to eat
B. to recover
C. to dry off
D. to call home
5.
Carmen won't stop using hackneyed expressions. Her teachers encourage her to
speak plainly using her own words instead of using familiar phrases such as "an ace up
his sleeve."
What is the meaning of the word hackneyed in the selection above?
A. unoriginal
B. comedic
C. athletic
D. vulgar
Warthog
by Jennifer Kirkpatrick
Under a blazing African sun a female warthog, a kind of wild pig, kneels on a
grassy plain. With her wide snout the warthog digs grass roots and eats them while her
two piglets stand nearby. Scrambling onto the mother's back, birds called oxpeckers eat
bloodsucking ticks and other insects that feed on the warthog's skin.
Suddenly the oxpeckers raise their beaks and hiss. A lion dashes from its hiding
place toward them. The birds scatter, and the mother warthog, alerted to danger, grunts
loudly. Her piglets squeal and scurry away.
The mother waits a second, then speeds toward her offspring with her tail stiffly
erect. The piglets run headfirst into a burrow, then the mother whirls around and backs
in. Her large head and tusks block the entrance. The lion circles and soon leaves.
With four tusks and large shovel-shaped heads, warthogs look fierce, but they
often avoid fighting predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, or hyenas by
running away or dodging into a burrow. Warthogs can run as fast as 30 miles (48
kilometers) an hour, often outdistancing a pursuer.
When cornered by predators, warthogs will attack with their sharp lower tusks,
which can measure 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. Older warthogs have long curved
upper tusks that can grow as long as 2 feet (61 centimeters). These too serve as
weapons. Warthogs are generally peaceful, but sometimes a male may attack another
male during mating season. The snarling attacker, with his mane and tail erect, charges
into his opponent's lowered head. The fleshy, wartlike bumps that cover male warthogs'
heads may cushion the blows.
The warthogs butt each other with their snouts and try to push each other down.
Most often the weaker male will give up and walk away. Very rarely will a warthog be
wounded in these attacks.
6. What is the best meaning for outdistancing in the passage?
A. to leave someone or something behind
B. a final or decisive result
C. to run a distance of 48 kilometers
D. characteristic of, or belonging outdoors
About Hurricanes
Miami Museum of Science
A tropical cyclone is a storm system that has several thunderstorms and a low pressure
center. Depending upon where they are located and their severity, these storms can
also be called typhoons, tropical depressions, or hurricanes.
A hurricane is a powerful storm that measures several hundred miles in diameter.
Hurricanes have two main parts. The first is the eye of the hurricane; the eye is a calm
area in the center of the storm. Usually, the eye of a hurricane measures about 20 miles
in diameter, and has very few clouds. The second part is the wall of clouds that
surrounds the calm eye. This is where the hurricane's strongest winds and heaviest rain
occur.
Hurricanes are born over warm, tropical oceans. Hurricanes are fueled by water
vapor that is pushed up from the warm ocean surface, so they can last longer and
sometimes move much further over water than over land. The combination of heat and
moisture, along with the right wind conditions, can create a new hurricane.
The colors in hurricane radar images show the amount of rain falling in a given area.
Each raindrop reflects the energy from the radar. The more raindrops in a certain area,
the brighter the color in the radar image of that area. Radar images measure the
amount of moisture in the air. The brighter the color on the radar image, the more
moisture in the air. The bright red color around the eye indicates the area of heaviest
rainfall. The green-colored area has a moderate amount of rain, while the blue areas
represent the least amount of rain.
7. What is the meaning of the word diameter?
A. measurement around a circle
B. a large, clear, valuable stone
C. measurement across a circle
D. measurement across a meter
8.
The seventh grade was full of precocious students. One student learned to read at
age three and another could do algebra at age eight.
What is the meaning of the word precocious in the sentence above?
A. enthusiastic
B. well-behaved
C. intelligent
D. doubtful
9.
The harp, fiddle, flute, pipes, and bodhrán are all popular among the Irish who
keep the Celtic traditions.
What type of object is a bodhrán in the sentence above?
A. a bow
B. a hat
C. an animal
D. an instrument
10.
The committee voted to augment the training program budget because there
were still items that needed to be purchased. The committee would then be able to
purchase the necessary supplies.
What is the meaning of the word augment in the selection above?
A. to leave alone
B. to add to
C. to combine
D. to scrap
11. What is the best meaning for the word tropical?
A. dry and hot
B. hot and humid
C. cloudy and rainy
D. cool and windy
12. Which is the best definition for vapor?
A. heavy clouds
B. moisture or mist
C. the center of the storm
D. dry, hot air
13.
The launch of the High Energy Solar Imager has been delayed indefinitely
because of ongoing concerns about the satellite's launch vehicle—a Pegasus rocket. A
NASA spokesperson said that the launch will still happen, but they are not sure when.
What is the meaning of the word indefinitely in the selection above?
A. for a second time
B. for an uncertain amount of time
C. for the absolutely last time
D. forever and ever and ever
Warthog
by Jennifer Kirkpatrick
Under a blazing African sun a female warthog, a kind of wild pig, kneels on a
grassy plain. With her wide snout the warthog digs grass roots and eats them while her
two piglets stand nearby. Scrambling onto the mother's back, birds called oxpeckers eat
bloodsucking ticks and other insects that feed on the warthog's skin.
Suddenly the oxpeckers raise their beaks and hiss. A lion dashes from its hiding
place toward them. The birds scatter, and the mother warthog, alerted to danger, grunts
loudly. Her piglets squeal and scurry away.
The mother waits a second, then speeds toward her offspring with her tail stiffly
erect. The piglets run headfirst into a burrow, then the mother whirls around and backs
in. Her large head and tusks block the entrance. The lion circles and soon leaves.
With four tusks and large shovel-shaped heads, warthogs look fierce, but they
often avoid fighting predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, or hyenas by
running away or dodging into a burrow. Warthogs can run as fast as 30 miles (48
kilometers) an hour, often outdistancing a pursuer.
When cornered by predators, warthogs will attack with their sharp lower tusks,
which can measure 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. Older warthogs have long curved
upper tusks that can grow as long as 2 feet (61 centimeters). These too serve as
weapons. Warthogs are generally peaceful, but sometimes a male may attack another
male during mating season. The snarling attacker, with his mane and tail erect, charges
into his opponent's lowered head. The fleshy, wartlike bumps that cover male warthogs'
heads may cushion the blows.
The warthogs butt each other with their snouts and try to push each other down.
Most often the weaker male will give up and walk away. Very rarely will a warthog be
wounded in these attacks.
14. What does the word pursuer mean in the passage?
A. a mother warthog that is being chased by a lion
B. one who is being pursued
C. one who chases in order to overtake or catch
D. an animal with sharp lower tusks that can be used as weapons
15.
The lake was full of noxious materials such as cleaning agents and pesticides
from the nearby factories and farms.
What is the meaning of the word noxious in the sentence above?
A. cleansing
B. delightful
C. harmful
D. annoying
16. With his feature-length Straight Out of Brooklyn, Matty Rich stepped forward as
the youngest of the new wave of African-American box office filmmakers. He proved
wrong the local naysayers. They didn't think a poor kid of seventeen could make a
movie.
What is the meaning of the word naysayer in the selection above?
A. someone who is helpful and encouraging
B. someone who has never made a movie
C. someone with a degree in journalism
D. someone with a negative attitude
About Hurricanes
Miami Museum of Science
A tropical cyclone is a storm system that has several thunderstorms and a low pressure
center. Depending upon where they are located and their severity, these storms can
also be called typhoons, tropical depressions, or hurricanes.
A hurricane is a powerful storm that measures several hundred miles in diameter.
Hurricanes have two main parts. The first is the eye of the hurricane; the eye is a calm
area in the center of the storm. Usually, the eye of a hurricane measures about 20 miles
in diameter, and has very few clouds. The second part is the wall of clouds that
surrounds the calm eye. This is where the hurricane's strongest winds and heaviest rain
occur.
Hurricanes are born over warm, tropical oceans. Hurricanes are fueled by water
vapor that is pushed up from the warm ocean surface, so they can last longer and
sometimes move much further over water than over land. The combination of heat and
moisture, along with the right wind conditions, can create a new hurricane.
The colors in hurricane radar images show the amount of rain falling in a given area.
Each raindrop reflects the energy from the radar. The more raindrops in a certain area,
the brighter the color in the radar image of that area. Radar images measure the
amount of moisture in the air. The brighter the color on the radar image, the more
moisture in the air. The bright red color around the eye indicates the area of heaviest
rainfall. The green-colored area has a moderate amount of rain, while the blue areas
represent the least amount of rain.
17. What is the meaning of radar in the passage?
A. a device that collects and purifies hurricane waters
B. a device used by the highway patrol to catch speeding cars
C. a device that flies into the hurricane to determine which way the storm will move
D. a device for determining the presence and location of an object
18.
The newspaper report of the fire was succinct; that is, it included only the most
important information.
What is the meaning of the word succinct in the sentence above?
A. to the point
B. difficult to understand
C. interesting
D. detailed and involved
19.
The Arctic explorers watched carefully for crevasses, deep cracks that form in
glaciers.
What is the meaning of crevasses in the sentence above?
A. arctic explorers
B. bad storms
C. glaciers
D. deep cracks
20.
I have always lived in cubbyholes. My first home was no more than 8' by 12', and
my second home was merely a room with only a kitchen and bathroom.
What is the meaning of the word cubbyhole in the sentence above?
A. an outdoor area
B. a town
C. a small space
D. a clean apartment
Warthog
by Jennifer Kirkpatrick
Under a blazing African sun a female warthog, a kind of wild pig, kneels on a
grassy plain. With her wide snout the warthog digs grass roots and eats them while her
two piglets stand nearby. Scrambling onto the mother's back, birds called oxpeckers eat
bloodsucking ticks and other insects that feed on the warthog's skin.
Suddenly the oxpeckers raise their beaks and hiss. A lion dashes from its hiding
place toward them. The birds scatter, and the mother warthog, alerted to danger, grunts
loudly. Her piglets squeal and scurry away.
The mother waits a second, then speeds toward her offspring with her tail stiffly
erect. The piglets run headfirst into a burrow, then the mother whirls around and backs
in. Her large head and tusks block the entrance. The lion circles and soon leaves.
With four tusks and large shovel-shaped heads, warthogs look fierce, but they
often avoid fighting predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, or hyenas by
running away or dodging into a burrow. Warthogs can run as fast as 30 miles (48
kilometers) an hour, often outdistancing a pursuer.
When cornered by predators, warthogs will attack with their sharp lower tusks,
which can measure 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. Older warthogs have long curved
upper tusks that can grow as long as 2 feet (61 centimeters). These too serve as
weapons. Warthogs are generally peaceful, but sometimes a male may attack another
male during mating season. The snarling attacker, with his mane and tail erect, charges
into his opponent's lowered head. The fleshy, wartlike bumps that cover male warthogs'
heads may cushion the blows.
The warthogs butt each other with their snouts and try to push each other down.
Most often the weaker male will give up and walk away. Very rarely will a warthog be
wounded in these attacks.
21. In the passage, opponent means
A. assistant.
B. opposite.
C. rival.
D. advocate.
22.
As soon as he got his brand new car, Jerry drove over to Mark's house to flaunt
it. He didn't often get the opportunity to make his buddy jealous.
What is the meaning of the word flaunt in the selection above?
A. to try out
B. to show off
C. to see
D. to wash
The Aristocrats
by C. Safos
During the storm, Evan took all the oxygen tanks below deck and tied them together.
He wished he had completed the task earlier as his skipper had asked, but now they
were all in the thick of it.
The lightning crawled across the sky like roadways on an atlas. The thunder was
shaking loose what courage the crew had managed to muster after the skipper's big
speech. Now Evan could see it in the faces of each of his shipmates. They were
floundering in the middle of the Atlantic with no direction, like a leaf on the wind. They
couldn't even follow the North Star, a natural compass. The black clouds above them
billowed like lungs taking in air. As they bulged, they blotted out everything but lightning.
The ship dipped back and forth, bow first, into the tide, like a needle on a sewing
machine. The spray from the storm and the push of the tide doused everyone on the
ship's deck right down to their socks.
Then, off the starboard side, Evan saw the whisper of a light nearly obscured by the
confusion of dark clouds merging with the black of the sea. As the sky shifted with the
storm, the light began to open itself up to the crew of the Emoke Pulay. Suddenly, the
separation of the sea and sky became apparent. The skipper howled like a madman,
"Steady as she goes, boys!"
23. In paragraph 4, the word obscured means
A. hidden.
B. uncovered.
C. brightened.
D. heated.
24.
Lobbyists get their name because they used to stand in a hall or lobby, outside
the room where laws were being passed. They try to influence members of Congress to
vote a certain way for a new law.
Which person listed below would most likely work with a lobbyist?
A. carpenter
B. congressman
C. historian
D. actor
25.
My sister is parsimonious, but she is not as cheap as my mother. My mother
hasn't bought a pair of new shoes in 20 years!
What is the meaning of the word parsimonious in the selection above?
A. thrifty
B. thoughtless
C. intelligent
D. unclean
26. In paragraph 2, the word billowed means
A. followed.
B. disappeared.
C. sunk.
D. swelled.
27.
Scientists have yet to figure out how deep the abyss is. Staring into it, I could see
only darkness.
What is the meaning of the word abyss?
A. a small and sandy mound
B. a gigantic piece of rock
C. a vast and limitless space
D. a large man-made lake
28.
The new video game Skateboarding Skills is up and running and is set to hit
stores in time for the holidays. In addition to body-language taunts, if two skaters collide,
the one moving faster pushes the other out of the way.
What is the meaning of the word collide in the sentence above?
A. to move very fast in a circular motion
B. to move side by side, never touching
C. to be severely injured and angry
D. to come together with direct impact
Warthog
by Jennifer Kirkpatrick
Under a blazing African sun a female warthog, a kind of wild pig, kneels on a
grassy plain. With her wide snout the warthog digs grass roots and eats them while her
two piglets stand nearby. Scrambling onto the mother's back, birds called oxpeckers eat
bloodsucking ticks and other insects that feed on the warthog's skin.
Suddenly the oxpeckers raise their beaks and hiss. A lion dashes from its hiding
place toward them. The birds scatter, and the mother warthog, alerted to danger, grunts
loudly. Her piglets squeal and scurry away.
The mother waits a second, then speeds toward her offspring with her tail stiffly
erect. The piglets run headfirst into a burrow, then the mother whirls around and backs
in. Her large head and tusks block the entrance. The lion circles and soon leaves.
With four tusks and large shovel-shaped heads, warthogs look fierce, but they
often avoid fighting predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, or hyenas by
running away or dodging into a burrow. Warthogs can run as fast as 30 miles (48
kilometers) an hour, often outdistancing a pursuer.
When cornered by predators, warthogs will attack with their sharp lower tusks,
which can measure 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. Older warthogs have long curved
upper tusks that can grow as long as 2 feet (61 centimeters). These too serve as
weapons. Warthogs are generally peaceful, but sometimes a male may attack another
male during mating season. The snarling attacker, with his mane and tail erect, charges
into his opponent's lowered head. The fleshy, wartlike bumps that cover male warthogs'
heads may cushion the blows.
The warthogs butt each other with their snouts and try to push each other down.
Most often the weaker male will give up and walk away. Very rarely will a warthog be
wounded in these attacks.
29. The best meaning for the word predator in this passage is
A. an animal that preys on other animals.
B. an animal who befriends other animals.
C. a bloodsucking tick.
D. an animal with four tusks and a large shovel-shaped head.
30.
The scene was melancholy. The mourners wore various shades of black, and
they had tears in their eyes.
What is the meaning of the word melancholy in the selection above?
A. gloomy
B. still
C. victorious
D. loud
31.
Bob was surprised by the rigid routine of the military. Every daily activity was
scheduled to the minute. Wake-up time was at promptly 6:00 a.m. Roll call was at 6:30
a.m., followed by breakfast at 6:45 a.m.
What is the meaning of the word rigid in the selection above?
A. strict
B. difficult
C. exciting
D. late
The Aristocrats
by C. Safos
During the storm, Evan took all the oxygen tanks below deck and tied them together.
He wished he had completed the task earlier as his skipper had asked, but now they
were all in the thick of it.
The lightning crawled across the sky like roadways on an atlas. The thunder was
shaking loose what courage the crew had managed to muster after the skipper's big
speech. Now Evan could see it in the faces of each of his shipmates. They were
floundering in the middle of the Atlantic with no direction, like a leaf on the wind. They
couldn't even follow the North Star, a natural compass. The black clouds above them
billowed like lungs taking in air. As they bulged, they blotted out everything but lightning.
The ship dipped back and forth, bow first, into the tide, like a needle on a sewing
machine. The spray from the storm and the push of the tide doused everyone on the
ship's deck right down to their socks.
Then, off the starboard side, Evan saw the whisper of a light nearly obscured by the
confusion of dark clouds merging with the black of the sea. As the sky shifted with the
storm, the light began to open itself up to the crew of the Emoke Pulay. Suddenly, the
separation of the sea and sky became apparent. The skipper howled like a madman,
"Steady as she goes, boys!"
32. In paragraph 2, the word muster means
A. to awaken.
B. to trouble.
C. to gather.
D. to confuse.
33.
Mr. Petrie has a way of making Algebra seem easy. His lucid explanations make
even the most difficult problems simple to understand.
What is the meaning of the word lucid in the selection above?
A. clear
B. humorous
C. relaxed
D. interesting
34. In paragraph 2, the word floundering means
A. dampening.
B. cleaning.
C. fishing.
D. struggling.
35. In paragraph 3, the word doused means
A. slept.
B. dried.
C. scared.
D. drenched.
36.
The archaeologists discovered an empty sarcophagus deep within the tomb.
They were disappointed because Egyptian burial sites often contained well-preserved
mummies.
What is the meaning of the word sarcophagus in the selection above?
A. a beetle
B. a robe
C. a stone coffin
D. a small jar
37.
The contractor was always reimbursed well for his work. He received $10,000 for
a small addition to a house, and last year he received $5,000 for reconstructing a
stairway.
What is the meaning of the word reimbursed in the selection above?
A. paid
B. fed
C. employed
D. criticized
38.
The first total solar eclipse of the year created a spectacle over central Africa.
Hundreds of people, including astronomers, gathered to watch this extraordinary event.
What is the meaning of the word spectacle in the sentence above?
A. something frightening to watch
B. something amazing that can be seen
C. something not possible to see
D. something bright that is in the sky
39.
It was unacceptable for the moderator to berate the panel members for no
reason. The members were very displeased with his disrespectful criticism.
Which word from the sentence helps the reader understand the meaning of berate?
A. reason
B. criticism
C. very
D. members
40.
Marisol was persnickety about her living arrangements. She did not allow friends
or family members in her bedroom, office, or kitchen. Visitors could only go into
Marisol's living room, and even there, they could only sit down if they took off their
shoes.
What is the meaning of the word persnickety in the selection above?
A. fashionable
B. unconcerned
C. fussy
D. messy
41.
The floors of the cafeteria were squalid. They were covered with spilled grease,
crumbs of food, and bits of notebook paper.
What is the meaning of the word squalid in the selection above?
A. dirty
B. proper
C. colorful
D. maintained
42.
The nation's armaments included tanks, missiles, cannons, and flamethrowers.
Their line of defense was well-prepared.
What is the meaning of armaments in the sentence above?
A. military
B. hand grenades
C. armed forces
D. weapons
The contusion on the patient's arm was one of several bruises on his body.
43.
What is the meaning of the word contusion in the selection above?
A. picture
B. tattoo
C. brace
D. injury
Warthog
by Jennifer Kirkpatrick
Under a blazing African sun a female warthog, a kind of wild pig, kneels on a
grassy plain. With her wide snout the warthog digs grass roots and eats them while her
two piglets stand nearby. Scrambling onto the mother's back, birds called oxpeckers eat
bloodsucking ticks and other insects that feed on the warthog's skin.
Suddenly the oxpeckers raise their beaks and hiss. A lion dashes from its hiding
place toward them. The birds scatter, and the mother warthog, alerted to danger, grunts
loudly. Her piglets squeal and scurry away.
The mother waits a second, then speeds toward her offspring with her tail stiffly
erect. The piglets run headfirst into a burrow, then the mother whirls around and backs
in. Her large head and tusks block the entrance. The lion circles and soon leaves.
With four tusks and large shovel-shaped heads, warthogs look fierce, but they
often avoid fighting predators such as lions, cheetahs, leopards, wild dogs, or hyenas by
running away or dodging into a burrow. Warthogs can run as fast as 30 miles (48
kilometers) an hour, often outdistancing a pursuer.
When cornered by predators, warthogs will attack with their sharp lower tusks,
which can measure 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. Older warthogs have long curved
upper tusks that can grow as long as 2 feet (61 centimeters). These too serve as
weapons. Warthogs are generally peaceful, but sometimes a male may attack another
male during mating season. The snarling attacker, with his mane and tail erect, charges
into his opponent's lowered head. The fleshy, wartlike bumps that cover male warthogs'
heads may cushion the blows.
The warthogs butt each other with their snouts and try to push each other down.
Most often the weaker male will give up and walk away. Very rarely will a warthog be
wounded in these attacks.
44. In the passage what does burrow mean?
A. a small donkey used as a pack animal
B. to dig a hole in the ground
C. a hole or tunnel dug in the ground for refuge
D. making a hiding place for warthogs
45.
Considering the exorbitant prices of tropical marine animals, it is not surprising
that newcomers to this hobby question the advantages of setting up such a costly
marine aquarium.
What is the meaning of the word exorbitant in the sentence above?
A. various
B. typical
C. expensive
D. reasonable
Answers
1. D
2. A
3. A
4. B
5. A
6. A
7. C
8. C
9. D
10. B
11. B
12. B
13. B
14. C
15. C
16. D
17. D
18. A
19. D
20. C
21. C
22. B
23. A
24. B
25. A
26. D
27. C
28. D
29. A
30. A
31. A
32. C
33. A
34. D
35. D
36. C
37. A
38. B
39. B
40. C
41. A
42. D
43. D
44. C
45. C
Explanations
1. The second sentence provides the major clue to one meaning of the word "shrine." Because
the structure was abandoned by the original worshippers, it follows that a shrine is place of
worship.
2. From the passage, the reader can tell John is an outgoing person. He enjoys being with crowds
of people. He is also loud, friendly, and lively. In the selection, "extrovert" means "someone who
is outgoing."
3. This first paragraph of this passage talks about storm systems called tropical cyclones. The
passage says, "Depending upon where they are located and their severity, these storms can also
be called typhoons, tropical depressions, or hurricanes." The reader can tell that in this passage,
depression refers to a type of violent tropical storm.
4. The last sentence provides clues to the meaning of the word "recuperate." Daly's injuries could
be healed by resting. Recuperate means to recover health or strength to regain a former state or
condition.
5. Hackneyed means lacking in freshness or originality. The second sentence explains that
hackneyed expressions are familiar phrases and gives an example of a common one. Also, her
teachers want her to be original instead of using old phrases.
6. The passage says that even though they look fierce, warthogs often avoid fighting predators.
They avoid fighting by outdistancing their predators.
7. If you can't find clues to the word's meaning in the passage, you could look the word up in a
dictionary. Your computer's word processing program may have a dictionary or thesaurus.
8. From this passage, we know that these seventh graders are not typical students. These children
are precocious because they have learned to read and do algebra at early ages. In order to have
advanced skills at a young age, the students must be intelligent.
9. In this sentence, all of the items in the series—harp, fiddle, flute, and pipes—are examples of
instruments used in Celtic music. You can guess from these examples that the bodhrán is an Irish
musical instrument; it is a goatskin drum.
10. From this passage, the reader can tell that augmenting has to do with increasing or adding to
something. If the committee increased the budget, they "would then be able to purchase the
necessary supplies."
11. You already know that hurricanes occur near warm, damp areas like Florida and islands in
the Caribbean. Use that knowledge, as well as the passage, to help you figure out the meaning of
tropical. In the passage, the word tropical is used with "warm" and "oceans." Oceans cannot be
dry, and since the passage talks about warm water and air, it cannot be cool. Therefore, tropical
means hot and humid.
12. The passage tells you that hurricanes are fueled by water vapor that is pushed up from the
warm ocean surface, so they can last longer and sometimes move much further over water than
over land. Which answer makes sense when you use it in the place of vapor?
13. The paragraph concludes with: "A NASA spokesperson said that the launch will still happen,
but they are not sure when." If something is indefinite it is not definite. This answer choice
makes the most sense in light of the last sentence.
14. The passage tells you that the warthog runs or goes into a burrow to avoid fighting. Also, you
probably already know the base word pursue, and you know that the suffix -er means one who
does something.
15. From the sentence, we know that the noxious materials include chemicals from nearby
factories and farms. Chemicals and pesticides are typically very harmful.
16. The people described as "naysayers" did not think that Matty Rich could make a movie. They
doubted him. This shows that they have negative attitudes.
17. Many clues from the passage can help you figure out the meaning of the word "radar." For
example, in the sentence, "The colors in hurricane radar images show the amount of rain falling
in a given area," you learn that radar images help scientists locate where rain is falling. If a radar
can do this, you can guess that a radar determines "the presence and location of an object."
18. The meaning of "succinct" is directly explained in this sentence. The semicolon (;) followed
by the words "that is", signal the definition of "succinct." Only the most important information is
to the point, or succinct.
19. In this sentence, the definition of "crevasses" is given after the comma. Crevasses are deep
cracks.
20. The measurements and number of rooms of the narrator's previous homes suggest that he or
she has lived in small spaces. From these clues, the reader can guess that cubbyholes are small
spaces.
21. The passage says that the snarling attacker charges into his opponent's head. The words
snarling and charges are clues that the attacker and the opponent are enemies. Opponent and
enemy are synonyms.
22. The selection tells you that Jerry is going to flaunt his brand new car, which is going to make
his buddy jealous. Jerry must be showing off his new car. This is the only action that would
cause Mark to be jealous. Therefore, "flaunt" means "to show off."
23. From the sentence in which the word "obscured" appears, the reader can tell that Evan can
barely see the light. The narrator states that the light is "nearly obscured by the confusion of dark
clouds merging with the black of the sea." The darkness, in fact, hides the light from being seen.
In this case, "obscured" means the same thing as "hidden."
24. Authors often realize that students may not know a word and directly explain its meaning.
Lobbyists try to influence the way a representative might vote. Our experience tells us that a
congressman would most likely be concerned with how someone should vote.
25. Finding synonyms of an unknown word in a sentence is one strategy for finding out the
meaning of the unknown word. The writer states that his or her sister is not as cheap as his or her
mother. "Cheap" is functioning as synonym for "parsimonious." "Thrifty" is a synonym of both
words.
26. From the sentence in which the word "billowed" appears, the reader can tell that the
description is one of a swelling. One need only look at the end of the description "like lungs
taking in air." When lungs take in air, they swell as they inflate. Saying that something "billows"
is the same as saying it "swells."
27. The reader can tell from the word's context that an abyss is something dark. It is also so deep
that no one has figured out how deep. Based on these clues, "a vast and limitless space" is the
most logical answer.
28. From the sentence, we know that the result of two skaters "colliding" is for one skater to be
pushed out of the way. Which answer choice could cause a skater to be pushed out of the way?
"Coming together with direct impact" is the answer that makes the most sense.
29. The passage gives you several clues about the meaning of predator. It tells you that the
mother warthog grunts loudly when a lion appears, the piglets run into a burrow, and the mother
backs in behind them. It also says that a warthog can often avoid predators by running away or
dodging into a burrow. These are clues that a predator is something that is dangerous.
30. Clues like "shades of black" and "tears" paint a picture of sadness. With these clues, the
reader can determine that "melancholy" means the same thing as "gloomy."
31. All of Bob's daily activities are tightly scheduled. The word rigid is used to describe the
routine. After reading about Bob's routine, the reader knows that it's tight and structured;
therefore, the reader can guess that "rigid" means "strict."
32. From the passage, the reader can tell that the crew is in a dangerous situation. It's safe to say
that the crew is scared. If the thunder was shaking loose the courage the crew had mustered after
the skipper's speech, the crew must not have had courage before the skipper's speech. The crew
would have had to have gathered the courage from the skipper's words. Therefore, "muster"
means the same thing as "to gather."
33. The general idea of this selection provides the clues to the meaning of the word "lucid." Mr.
Petrie is described as a teacher who makes difficult ideas easy to understand. It would make
sense that his explanations would be clear, or lucid.
34. From the passage, the reader can tell that the crew and its ship are stuck out on the sea in the
middle of a storm. According to the sentence in which the word "floundering" appears, the ship
had "no direction, like a leaf on the wind." A leaf on the wind has no direction. It struggles
against the wind much the same way the ship struggles on the waves of the sea. Therefore, it's
safe to assume that "floundering" means the same thing as "struggling."
35. From the sentence in which the word "doused" appears, the reader can tell that the
description is one of drenching. It talks about the rain from the storm and the water from the tide
dousing people to their socks. This is clearly an act of drenching that takes places. Therefore,
"douse" means the same thing as "to drench."
36. The second sentence provides clues to the meaning of the word "sarcophagus." The
archaeologists are disappointed that they didn't find a mummy within the burial site. A
sarcophagus is a stone coffin.
37. The sentences tell us the contractor received money each time he did a task; therefore,
"reimbursed" must mean "paid."
38. You can tell that the solar eclipse was something that was amazing to see because hundreds
of people gathered to watch it.
39. The moderator berated the panel members, and the panel members felt that they were
disrespectfully criticized; therefore, the reader can conclude that "berate" and "criticism" are
connected in meaning. The word "berate" means "to scold or criticize."
40. From the passage, the reader can tell that Marisol does not like people in many parts of her
home. Even though Marisol allows people in her living room, they must take off their shoes.
Therefore, it is safe to assume that "persnickety" means the same thing as "fussy."
41. The fact that the floors were covered with spilled grease, crumbs of food, and bits of paper
suggests that the floor was very filthy or untidy. You can guess from the context that "squalid"
means the same thing as "dirty."
42. In this sentence, tanks, missiles, cannons, and flamethrowers are given as examples of
armaments. You can guess from these examples that armaments are weapons.
43. In this sentence, the reader can determine that a contusion is like a bruise. Another word for
"bruise" is "injury."
44. Your knowledge of sentence structure gives you a clue that burrow is a noun. The passage
gives you several clues that the warthogs are in a dangerous situation. A lion dashes from its
hiding place, the birds scatter, the mother warthog is alerted to danger and grunts loudly.
45. The word "exorbitant" means "excessively expensive." The word "costly" later in the
sentence helps the reader understand the meaning of the word.