Word Meaning

Read the sentence.

The small house cat moved cautiously across the floor, making sure to be as silent and slow as possible so that the tiny gray mouse did not notice it.

Which of the following phrases in this sentence provides the best clue for the meaning of “cautiously”?

• small house cat

• across the floor

• tiny gray mouse

• silent and slow

Read the sentence.

The microphone refused to work, and as a result, the musical group had to sing as loud as they could to be heard by the audience.

Which of the following phrases in this sentence provides a clue to the meaning of “microphone”?

• to be heard

• by the audience

• refused to work

• None of these

Read the sentences.

Gizmo went grocery shopping for Mrs. Kim. As a result, Mrs. Kim showed her gratitude by making Gizmo a snack.

Based on these sentences, “gratitude” is the feeling of being ________.

• thankful

• hungry

• excited

• lonely

Read the sentence.

Julia was very excited to learn that her poem had been chosen as a winner in the magazine competition she had entered.

Which of the following phrases provides a clue to the meaning of the word “competition”?

• her poem

• as a winner

• very excited

• in the magazine

Read the sentences.

Juan promised his mother that if she got him a puppy, he would take care of it. After Juan walked and fed the puppy every day for two weeks, and cleaned up its messes, his mother told him he was being very responsible.

Based on these sentences, the word “responsible” means that Juan _______.

• is lazy

• loves all animals

• None of these

• can be trusted

Read the sentences.

Jessica had lived all her life in New York City. When she took a trip to visit her friend Anna, who lived on a farm in Illinois, she was surprised by how rural Anna’s home was.

Based on these sentences, the word “rural” means that Anna’s home is _____.

• by the seashore

• in the desert

• on a river

• in the country

Read the sentence.

Unlike our pet cat at home, the feral cat we saw in the park would not let us come near it or touch it.

Based on this sentence, the word “feral” means that the cat is_____.

• lonely

• ugly

• wild

• friendly

Read the sentence.

After cleaning out the refrigerator, Michael found that the source of the putrid smell was a rotten steak in the very back of the shelf.

Which of the following phrases provides the best clue to the meaning of the word “putrid”?

• the source of

• None of these

• after cleaning

• a rotten steak

Read the sentences.

A number of college students were arrested yesterday. A protest at their college started out peaceful, but when the police asked them to stop, it turned into a riot.

Based on these sentences, the word “riot” means that the protest _______.

• stopped being peaceful

• was being held for the wrong reasons

• grew too big

• had the wrong people

Read the sentences.

At the cottage, the hospitable owners brought fresh towels each day, provided delicious meals, and were helpful with directing us to local attractions.

Based on these sentences, the word “hospitable” means:

• interfering

• good at cooking

• rich

• None of these