Amplify Subunit2: Vocabulary 6th Grade

Which of these sentences uses the word “gruff” correctly?

• The students’ gruff artwork hung quietly in the room.

• The art critic’s gruff response upset the students.

Answer explanation

If you picked “B,” you are correct!

“Gruff” is an adjective that means “no-nonsense, blunt and maybe a little rude.” The art critic’s gruff, or blunt and rude, response upset the students. Option A is incorrect because it doesn’t make sense for artwork to be gruff, or blunt and rude.

Which of the following is a description of a "gruff" person?

• A ballerina who dances gracefully across the stage

• A manager who growls at a waiter for dropping a plate

• A doctor who patiently explains a procedure to a patient

Answer explanation

If you picked “B,” you are correct!

“Gruff” is an adjective that means “no-nonsense, blunt and maybe a little rude.” A manager who growls at a waiter for dropping a plate is gruff, or blunt and rude. Option A is incorrect because a graceful ballerina is lovely, not blunt or rude. Option C is incorrect because a doctor who patiently explains a procedure is kind and professional, not blunt or rude.

Which of these sentences uses the word “cacophony” correctly?

• She protected her ears from the wild cacophony.

• The pleasant cacophony filled her eyes.

Answer explanation

If you picked “A,” you are correct!

“Cacophony” is a noun that means “a harsh mixture of sounds.” She protected her ears from the wild cacophony, or harsh mixture of sounds. Option B is incorrect because the cacophony, or harsh mixture of sounds, would fill her ears instead of her eyes.

In which setting would you hear a “cacophony”?

• A garden overflowing with colorful and sweet smelling flowers.

• A library filled with students reading and writing.

• A construction site busy with tractors and jackhammers.

Answer explanation

If you picked C, you are correct!

“Cacophony” is a noun that means “a harsh mixture of sounds.” You would hear a cacophony, or harsh mixture of sounds, at a construction site filled with tractors and jackhammers. Options A and B are incorrect because a garden full of colorful flowers and a library filled with reading students would be peaceful, not places to hear a cacophony, or a harsh mixture of sound.

Which of these sentences uses the word “irate” correctly?

• The man’s ice cream tasted irate, so he returned it.

• The irate man screamed and stomped his foot.

Answer explanation

If you picked “B,” you are correct!

“Irate” is an adjective that means “angry.” The irate, or angry, man screamed and stomped his foot. Option A is incorrect because ice cream might taste delicious, but it can’t taste irate, or angry.

Which of the following would make you “irate”?

• Discovering that your brother has broken your bicycle

• Learning about different kinds of minerals at the library

• Finding your lost cat after searching for him for a week

Answer explanation

“Irate” is an adjective that means “angry.” Discovering that your brother has broken your bicycle might make you irate, or angry. Option B is incorrect because learning about minerals might be interesting, but it probably won’t make you irate, or angry. Option C is incorrect because you are likely to feel happy about finding your cat, not irate, or angry.

Which sentence uses the word “covert” correctly?

• The agent tried to keep his mission covert by hiding behind a tree.

• The man’s newspaper was too covert so he stopped reading it.

Answer explanation

“Covert” is an adjective that means “secret.” The agent tried to keep his mission covert, or secret, by hiding behind a tree. Option B is incorrect because it doesn’t make sense for the man’s newspaper to be covert, or secret.

Which of the following people is performing a “covert” action?

• A dedicated weather person tracks a major hurricane.

• A cowboy tries to wrangle a frightened horse into a stall.

• A little sister snoops through her older brother’s backpack.

Answer explanation

“Covert” is an adjective that means “secret.” A little sister who snoops through her brother’s backpack would make sure her actions are covert, or secret. Options A and B are incorrect because the weather person’s and the cowboy’s actions are dedicated and brave, not covert.

Which sentence uses the word “lurk” correctly?

• Creatures lurk behind every corner waiting to jump on her.

• The stairs lurk with harmless creatures wanting to play.

Answer explanation

“Lurk” is a verb that means “to be or remain hidden so as to wait in ambush for someone or something.” Creatures lurk, or remain hidden waiting in ambush, behind every corner. Option B is incorrect because it wouldn’t make sense for the stairs to lurk, or remain hidden waiting in ambush.

Which of these animals could be described as “lurking”?

• Lobsters walk across the ocean floor, trying not to get tangled in seaweed.

• A shark sneaks around a sunken ship and waits for a surprise attack on divers.

• Dolphins jump in and out of waves because they enjoy playing in the sun.

Answer explanation

“Lurk” is a verb that means “to be or remain hidden so as to wait in ambush for someone or something.” A shark waiting to make a surprise attack is lurking, or hidden so as to wait in ambush. Options A and C are incorrect because lobsters that walk carefully and dolphins that jump in and out of waves are not lurking, or hiding so as to wait in ambush for someone or something.