English 10 #1

What does the following word mean?

Contingent

• dependent on other things

• located within the main part of the United States

• difficult to believe

• having a natural tendency toward something

Answer explanation

Their plans were contingent upon the weather; if it was warm and sunny, they would be able to go to the beach.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

What does the following word mean?

implausible

• habitual; repeatedly acting the same way

• changeable; moving from one form to another

• not likely; difficult to believe

• varying widely

Answer explanation

It seems rather implausible that Bigfoot would live in Holcombe; there has been no evidence found to support such a belief.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

What does the following word mean?

preposterous

• capable of being formed or shaped by persuasion

• absurd; contrary to common sense

• anxiety arising from awareness of guilt

• using coarse or vulgar language

Answer explanation

It is preposterous to think that an ant could carry an elephant.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

What is the meaning of the following word?

proclivity

• a state of temporary suspension

• a natural tendency toward a behavior or characteristic

• varying widely in price or characteristics

• thinking carefully about something

Answer explanation

Because he has a proclivity to spend more money than he saves, John has nice clothes and fun gadgets, but he can never go do fun things because he has no money.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

What does the following word mean?

prone

• easily changed or molded

• difficult to believe

• to develop gradually

• likely to behave a certain way

Answer explanation

The student is prone to talking a lot, so they have to b careful who they sit by in class so that they don't get in trouble.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

What does the following word mean?

evolve

• to develop gradually

• to develop quickly

• to develop or morph into something dangerous

• to fail to develop in any way

Answer explanation

Scientists have been able to determine how fish evolved from their more basic ancestors by looking at fossils over a long period of time.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

What does the following word mean?

malleable

• thinking carefully about something

• likely to behave a certain way

• easily controlled or influenced

• still in development

Answer explanation

The clay was quite malleable, so I was able to mold a raven rather easily.

* * *

The teenager was very trusting and malleable, which made them an easy target for the online scammers.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

What does the following word mean?

volatile

• being absurd in a funny way

• tending toward violence

• violating the law

• developing negatively

Answer explanation

The situation turned volatile at the hockey game after several players exchanged heated jabs at one anther.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

What does the following word mean?

serene

• lacking in any emotion

• upsetting and creating an uproar

• cooked rapidly at a high temperature

• calm, peaceful, tranquil

Answer explanation

The summer day was serene and perfect for a picnic.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

What does the following word mean?

resilient

• recovering quickly from illness or adversity

• brave and ready to jump into action

• not able to face challenges successfully

• able to always be on time for scheduled events

Answer explanation

The student was resilient; despite having scored a 40% on the first test, they worked hard and ended the semester with 90%.

Tags

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

CCSS.RI.8.4