word meaning/context

Marie Curie made history when she won the Nobel Prize in 1903. The Nobel Prize is the most meaningful award in the world. It honors people who have made major achievements. Curie was awarded the Nobel Prize for her research on radioactivity. Radioactivity is an intense and dangerous energy. Her work helped the world understand an important part of science. Curie even won a second Nobel Prize in 1911 for discovering two new scientific elements.

What does the word “radioactivity” mean?

• Someone who records audio for a radio station

• The release of energy waves and high-energy particles

• Things that are very loud

• The discovery of new scientific elements

Hip-hop began in the early 1970s in the Bronx of New York City. It comes from many different African-influenced musical styles, including gospel, folk, blues, jazz, and R&B. Hip-hop is more than just a style of music, though. It is a whole culture. There are four main parts of hip-hop culture: DJing, b-boying, graffiti art, and rap music. Together these four pieces have a huge cultural impact. Hip-hop has influenced fashion. It has even helped protest racism and poverty.

Which detail from the text shows the impact of hip-hop?

• “[Hip-hop] comes from many different African-influenced musical styles.”

• “Hip-hop began in the early 1970s.”

• “Hip-hop has influenced fashion. It has even helped protest racism and poverty.”

• Together these four pieces have had a huge cultural impact.”

Crêpes are like thinly cooked pancakes. They are made from wheat flour and stuffed with various fillings. Their popularity in France has led them to become the country’s national dish. Today, they are eaten in many countries outside of France too.

Over time, the art of crêpe making has changed significantly. These treats used to be cooked on cast-iron hot plates over wood fires. Today, however, they can simply be cooked on the stove. As is the case with many other great foods, crêpes have developed around the world into countless varieties. Different countries have added their own twist on the classic crêpe.

Based on clues in the text, what does the word “crêpes” probably mean?

• A thick pancake popular only in France

• A thin pancake stuffed with a filling

• A special type of wheat flour from France

• A collection of various fillings

Fireworks are used to celebrate a number of important occasions, from New Year’s Eve to summer carnivals. These shows are mesmerizing to watch. Colorful displays light up the night skies like brilliant flowers blooming at high speeds. But how do these magical displays of light work?

The basic foundation of a modern firework contains a shell, an explosive, and a fuse. Today’s firework technology also focuses on creating extravagant and colorful displays.

An exploding firework is a carefully constructed blend of chemistry and physics. Heat kickstarts chemical reactions to create a combustion in the air. Adding metal compounds to fireworks creates colors. Sodium can be added for yellow and copper for green.

Why does the author include the following analogy in the text? “Colorful displays light up the night skies like brilliant flowers blooming at high speeds.”

• To emphasize how beautiful fireworks are when they burst

• To give the scientific explanation of how fireworks work

• To show that fireworks are not that impressive

• To describe why flowers bloom

The Titanic set sail from England on April 10, 1912. It was deemed, or said, to be unsinkable. The large and powerful ship hit an iceberg on April 14. An iceberg is a large piece of ice floating in the ocean. The iceberg slashed a hole in the side of the ship. Water began to pour into the ship. The Titanic sunk in just three hours. Thousands of passengers died.

Based on the clues in the text, what does the word “deem” probably mean?

• To say or state something as true

• To disbelieve

• A ship or boat

• To set sail or leave in a large boat

The Treaty of Versailles was signed by Germany and the Allied powers. It officially ended World War I on June 28, 1919. Allied leaders first signed an armistice to end the fighting on November 11, 1918. The treaty came next. Germany had no choice but to accept it.

In the Treaty of Versailles, Allied leaders made decisions about how Germany had to repay countries. They also changed German borders. The Treaty of Versailles ended the war. However, it was only a temporary solution. Negative feelings that were born from this treaty would only grow. Soon a second conflict would arise that was far more deadly than World War I.

Which piece of evidence does not support the inference that Germany lost World War I?

• “The Treaty of Versailles officially ended World War I on June 28, 1919.”

• “The Allied leaders also changed German borders.”

• “Allied leaders made decisions that defined how Germany must repay countries.”

• “Germany had no choice but to accept this treaty.”

Reducing, reusing, and recycling, are three ways you can eliminate waste. Waste is trash. Keeping a clean environment is helpful for our own health! If we keep our air, water, and land waste-free, we will lead happier and healthier lives. What we choose to do with our waste influences our Earth. Take control of keeping our environment clean. Reducing, reusing, and recycling are important for our environment.

Which detail supports the inference that our health is directly connected to the earth’s health?

• “Reducing, reusing, and recycling are important for our environment.”

• “What we choose to do with our waste influences our Earth.”

• “Waste is trash.”

• “If we keep our air, water, and land waste-free, we will lead happier and healthier lives.”