Language Usage

4A. RP Use of Language: Interpreting Word Meaning

Basic Lessons 1 and 2 Combined

Read paragraph and answer question.

1.Have you ever been to a World’s Fair? They are huge events. World’s Fairs take place every five years. They last for about six months. The fairs are usually held in large cities. People from around the world come together for a fair. They come together to learn new things.

Based on how it is used in the paragraph above, what does the word “last” most closely mean?

A. lowest in importance

B. single

C. go on or continue

D. final

Multiple Choice

Have you ever been to a World’s Fair? They are huge events. World’s Fairs take place every five years. They last for about six months. The fairs are usually held in large cities. People from around the world come together for a fair. They come together to learn new things.

Based on how it is used in the paragraph above, what does the word “last” most closely mean?

• lowest in importance

• single

• go on or continue

• final

Open Ended

Have you ever been to a World’s Fair? They are huge events. World’s Fairs take place every five years. They last for about six months. The fairs are usually held in large cities. People from around the world come together for a fair. They come together to learn new things.

What word or clues in the text helped you to figure out the answer to the previous question?

Read and answer following question

2.Have you ever had a mood swing? That’s when you feel sad. And then you feel happy. And then sad again. And then... you get the idea. A mood swing can seem to come out of nowhere. But many times it has to do with the foods you eat.

Based on how it is used in the paragraph above, what does the word “swing” most closely mean?

A. to win

B. a change

C. to strike or hit

D. an act

Multiple Choice

Have you ever had a mood swing? That’s when you feel sad. And then you feel happy. And then sad again. And then... you get the idea. A mood swing can seem to come out of nowhere. But many times it has to do with the foods you eat.

Based on how it is used in the paragraph above, what does the word “swing” most closely mean?

• to win

• a change

• to strike or hit

• an act

Open Ended

Have you ever had a mood swing? That’s when you feel sad. And then you feel happy. And then sad again. And then... you get the idea. A mood swing can seem to come out of nowhere. But many times it has to do with the foods you eat.

What words or clues in the text helped you figure out the previous question?

Read and answer following question

3.Certain things happen to your body when you feel stress. Your heart beats faster and your brain feels sharper. Your eyes work better. You’re full of energy. Long ago, stress evolved to help people get away from bad things. Picture this: a man came out of his cave to look for food. He saw something scary: a tiger! His stress level went way up. His brain got sharp. Stress made him think fast. Stress gave him the energy to run fast. He got to his cave. The man was safe.

Based on how it is used in the paragraph, the word “evolved” most closely means

A. happened long ago. B. stopped or left.

C. looked for food. D. grew or developed.

Multiple Choice

Certain things happen to your body when you feel stress. Your heart beats faster and your brain feels sharper. Your eyes work better. You’re full of energy. Long ago, stress evolved to help people get away from bad things. Picture this: a man came out of his cave to look for food. He saw something scary: a tiger! His stress level went way up. His brain got sharp. Stress made him think fast. Stress gave him the energy to run fast. He got to his cave. The man was safe.

Based on how it is used in the paragraph, the word evolved most closely means

• happened long ago.

• stopped or left.

• looked for food.

• grew or developed.

Open Ended

Certain things happen to your body when you feel stress. Your heart beats faster and your brain feels sharper. Your eyes work better. You’re full of energy. Long ago, stress evolved to help people get away from bad things. Picture this: a man came out of his cave to look for food. He saw something scary: a tiger! His stress level went way up. His brain got sharp. Stress made him think fast. Stress gave him the energy to run fast. He got to his cave. The man was safe.

What clues in the paragraph helped you figure out the answer to the previous question?

Read paragraph and answer question

4.The first English colony in the New World was off the coast of North Carolina. It was on an island called Roanoke Island. But the Roanoke colony disappeared without a trace. It has been a mystery for over four centuries. Many have tried to find answers. They have dug up the soil, hoping to find clues. Others have read old documents in museums. But thus far, we are no closer to finding out what happened at Roanoke than the man who first found the colony empty in 1590.

Based on how it is used in the paragraph, the word “document” means something that

A. is written. B. is old.

C. is a mystery. D. is found in the ground. 

Multiple Choice

The first English colony in the New World was off the coast of North Carolina. It was on an island called Roanoke Island. But the Roanoke colony disappeared without a trace. It has been a mystery for over four centuries. Many have tried to find answers. They have dug up the soil, hoping to find clues. Others have read old documents in museums. But thus far, we are no closer to finding out what happened at Roanoke than the man who first found the colony empty in 1590.

Based on how it is used in the paragraph, the word “document” means something that

• is written

• is old

• is a mystery

• is found

Open Ended

The first English colony in the New World was off the coast of North Carolina. It was on an island called Roanoke Island. But the Roanoke colony disappeared without a trace. It has been a mystery for over four centuries. Many have tried to find answers. They have dug up the soil, hoping to find clues. Others have read old documents in museums. But thus far, we are no closer to finding out what happened at Roanoke than the man who first found the colony empty in 1590.

What clues in the paragraph helped you figure out the answer to the previous question?