Multiple-Meaning Words

​Multiple-Meaning Words

SOL5.4b

​Multiple-Meaning Words

Sometimes, context clues are not enough.

Have you ever read a word that you already knew, but it didn't make sense in the con​ext of the sentence?

​

Some words have more than one meaning. In these instances, we may need to use a dictionary to understand the author's intended meaning.​

Multiple Choice

According to the dictionary entry, what are the words that begin and end this page in the dictionary called?

• Guide Words

• Introduction and Conclusion

• Spot Words

• Parts of Speech

Multiple Select

According to the dictionary entry, the word intent can be used as which two parts of speech?

• Noun

• Adjective

• Adverb

• Verb

Multiple Choice

According to the dictionary entry, the word intent has how many syllables?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

According to the dictionary entry, what is the plural version of the word intent?

• intentes

• intended

• intents

• intensive

​Consider the three possible meanings of the word intent. How might each be used in another sentence?

Multiple Choice

According to the dictionary entry, which sentence uses intent as a noun?

• Mrs. Cosgriff and Ms. Perkins' intent is for all of their students to excel in 5th grade.

• The driver was intent on the road and was able to avoid the deer.

​Practice

As we read through the following sentences from The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, consider which meaning most fits the sentence.

​

Take your time and choose carefully. It is not a race.​

​

​Consider the possible meanings of the word pointless. How might each be used in a sentence?

Multiple Choice

According to the dictionary entry, how many possible definitions are there for the word pointless?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

"The story, he thought, had been pointless."

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses definition #2?

• Troy was distressed when the game ended in a pointless draw.

• The kitchen knife was dull and pointless after my brother used it to whittle a stick.

Open Ended

Write your own sentence using definition #1.

​Consider the possible meanings of the word tremendous. How might each be used in a sentence?

Multiple Choice

"And then Abilene disappeared from view and the rabbit hit the water with such tremendous force that his hat blew off his head."

• 1

• 2

• 3

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses definition #1?

• My mom did a tremendous job with dinner; it was so delicious!

• The tremendous roller coaster was the tallest one ever built.

Open Ended

Write your own sentence using definition #2.

​Consider the possible meanings of the word witness. How might each be used in a sentence?

Multiple Choice

"His painted-on eyes witnessed the blue water turning to green and then blue again."

• 1

• 2

• 5

• 6

• 8

Multiple Choice

"His painted-on eyes witnessed the blue water turning to green and then blue again."

According to the dictionary, what part of speech is the word witnessed in the above sentence?

• Verb (used with object)

• Verb (used without object)

• Noun

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses definition #8?

• I witnessed the car crash happen right outside my house.

• My sister was a witness at the trial.

• The police wanted to interview anyone who was a witness to the crime.

Open Ended

Write your own sentence for definition #7.

​Consider the possible meanings of the word crooked. How might each be used in a sentence?

Multiple Choice

"The house in which Bryce and Sarah Ruth lived was so small and crooked that Edward did not believe, at first, that it was a house."

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 5

Multiple Choice

Which sentence uses definition #4?

• My grandma's fingers are crooked from arthritis.

• I became carsick after riding on the crooked road for hours.

• My crooked uncle is always cheating when we play cards.

Open Ended

Pick one definition and write your own sentence. Include the number of the definition you picked.