Analyzing Vocabulary Words and Figurative Language

Match

Match the following with their corresponding TYPE of context clue. While completing the matching activity, pay attention to how punctuation is used.

• Definition Context Clue

• Synonym Context Clue

• Antonym Context Clue

• Example Context Clue

• Inference Context Clue

His emaciation, that is, his skeleton-like appearance, was frightening to see.

The annual bazaar is scheduled for the last day of school. It's always a fun festival.

He was opposed to the idea, although his best friend was completely supportive of it.

Constellations, such as The Little Dipper and The Big Dipper, can be seen in the night sky.

The duck was so famished that a sympathetic woman stopped and gave it something to eat.

• His emaciation, that is, his skeleton-like appearance, was frightening to see.

• The annual bazaar is scheduled for the last day of school. It's always a fun festival.

• He was opposed to the idea, although his best friend was completely supportive of it.

• Constellations, such as The Little Dipper and The Big Dipper, can be seen in the night sky.

• The duck was so famished that a sympathetic woman stopped and gave it something to eat.

Objective

Apply knowledge of context clues, figurative language, word relationships, reference materials, and/or background knowledge to determine the connotative and denotative meaning of words and phrases, appropriate to grade level. 

​Excerpt from "The Heroes Every Child Should Know"

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Use context clues in the surrounding area of the text of the underlined vocabulary term. Then, determine what it's denotative/connotative meaning. ​​

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"You shall take this polished shield," said Athene, "and when you come near her look not at her yourself, but at her image in the brass; so you may strike her safely. And when you have struck off her head, wrap it, with your face turned away, in the folds of the goatskin on which the shield hangs. So you will bring it safely back to me, and win to yourself renown, and a place among the heroes who feast with the Immortals upon the peak where no winds blow."

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Multiple Choice

Which definition best matches the way the word precious is used in paragraph 6? Remember to pay attention to the word’s part of speech as you make your decision.

6 Now beside Athene appeared a young man more light-limbed than the stag, whose eyes were like sparks of fire. By his side was a scimitar of diamond, all of one clear precious stone, and on his feet were golden sandals, from the heels of which grew living wings.

precious \ˈpreSHəs\

adjective 1. of great value; not to be wasted 2. seeming overly refined, or well-mannered

noun 3. a term used to address a beloved person

adverb 4. very; extremely

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

Match

Match the following examples to their corresponding types of figurative language: f

• "It is better to die like a hero than to live like an ox in a stall" (paragraphs 30-33).

• "Neither seal nor sea gull dare come near, lest the ice should clutch them in its claws" (Paragraph 19).

• "Grover blushed right down to his Adam's apple" (Riordan 24).

• "And she was about to slice me into ribbons" (Riordan 12).

Simile

Personification

Hyperbole

Metaphor

• Simile

• Personification

• Hyperbole

• Metaphor

Multiple Choice

Which definition best matches the way the word bear is used in paragraph 7? Remember to pay attention to the word’s part of speech as you make your decision.

7 Then the young man spoke: "These sandals of mine will bear you across the seas, and over hill and dale like a bird, as they bear me all day long; for I am Hermes, the far-famed Argus-slayer, the messenger of the Immortals who dwell on Olympus."

bear \ber\

verb 1. to assume or accept 2. to carry

noun

3. a large, heavy mammal 4. something difficult to deal with

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

Multiple Choice

PART A: Based on these excerpts, what is one difference between the way that the authors have developed the characteristics of their main characters?

• A. Both characters are forced to travel.

• B. Percy Jackson is confident, while Perseus is afraid of the strange things that happen to him.

• C. Percy Jackson is confused about why he is constantly on the move, while Perseus is confident when he has to go on a journey.

• D. Percy Jackson is happy to move, while Perseus is upset at having to go on a journey.

Multiple Choice

PART B: Which evidence from "Heroes Every Child Should Know" best supports the answer to Part A?

• A. Then Perseus looked down the cliff and shuddered; but he was ashamed to show his dread.

• B. And behold, instead of falling he floated, and stood, and ran along the sky.

• C. So Perseus started on his journey, going dry-shod over land and sea; and his heart was high and joyful, for the winged sandals bore him each day a seven days' journey.

• D. And seven days he walked through it on a path which few can tell, till he came to the edge of the everlasting night.

Reorder

Reorder the following stages of the PLOT arc into the correct order.

• Exposition (setting/characters)

• Rising action (tensions rise)

• Climax (turning point)

• Falling Action (last few details)

• Resolution (narrative closure)

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Multiple Choice

QUIZ QUESTION

Using context clues, what is the meaning of the word flailed as it is used in this excerpt? Then check the meaning in a dictionary.

He flailed, clawing at his chest, then began to disintegrate – not like my mother, in a flash of golden light, but like crumbling sand, blown away in chunk by the wind, the same way Mrs. Dodds had burst apart.

• Verb: To be unsuccessful at achieving one's goal

• Verb: To wave or to swing

• Verb: To peel, usually skin

• Verb: To move downward