Vocabulary

John Wesley Powell (1834-1902) was perhaps the greatest in a long line of fearless and dynamic American explorers of the nineteenth century. To Powell, the pursuit of science and the expansion of human knowledge were of the utmost importance. Whether he sought to be anonymous or not, Powell's achievements brought him glory - and the fact that he achieved them with one arm (he lost the other at the Battle of Shiloh in 1862) made them all the more glorious.

What does dynamic most likely mean as it is used in the above paragraph?

• wildly curious

• sturdy and reliable

• uncontrollably explosive

• intensely energetic

Tags

CCSS.L.3.2F

John Wesley Powell (1834-1902) was perhaps the greatest in a long line of fearless and dynamic American explorers of the nineteenth century. To Powell, the pursuit of science and the expansion of human knowledge were of the utmost importance. Whether he sought to be anonymous or not, Powell's achievements brought him glory - and the fact that he achieved them with one arm (he lost the other at the Battle of Shiloh in 1862) made them all the more glorious.

What does utmost most likely mean as it is used in the above paragraph?

• extreme

• least

• greatest

• strangest

Tags

CCSS.L.1.5D

CCSS.L.2.5B

CCSS.L.3.5C

CCSS.L.K.5D

John Wesley Powell (1834-1902) was perhaps the greatest in a long line of fearless and dynamic American explorers of the nineteenth century. To Powell, the pursuit of science and the expansion of human knowledge were of the utmost importance. Whether he sought to be anonymous or not, Powell's achievements brought him glory - and the fact that he achieved them with one arm (he lost the other at the Battle of Shiloh in 1862) made them all the more glorious.

Anonymous comes from the Greek word anonumos. Anonumos most likely means...

• nameless

• learned

• charming

• heroic

Tags

CCSS.L.1.4C

CCSS.L.2.4C

CCSS.L.3.4C

CCSS.L.4.4B

CCSS.L.5.4B

In 1869, Powell and nine companions set out in four boats to explore the canyons of the Green and Colorado Rivers. The expedition was not equipped to deal with whitewater rapids, and the grim 1000-mile journey was made harder by a shortage of rations. Native Americans in the Grand Canyon River Gorge were astonished to see Powell and his team taking on waters that even they were reluctant to navigate. Two years later, Powell led a second - and better equipped - expedition into the region.

What is the meaning of grim as it is used in the paragraph above?

• short

• frightful

• dirty

• merciful

Tags

CCSS.L.1.5D

CCSS.L.2.5B

CCSS.L.3.5C

CCSS.L.K.5D

In 1869, Powell and nine companions set out in four boats to explore the canyons of the Green and Colorado Rivers. The expedition was not equipped to deal with whitewater rapids, and the grim 1000-mile journey was made harder by a shortage of rations. Native Americans in the Grand Canyon River Gorge were astonished to see Powell and his team taking on waters that even they were reluctant to navigate. Two years later, Powell led a second - and better equipped - expedition into the region.

Which word means the opposite of reluctant in the above paragraph?

• eager

• thoughtful

• patient

• persistent

Tags

CCSS.L.1.4A

CCSS.L.2.4A

CCSS.L.3.4A

CCSS.L.4.4A

CCSS.L.K.5B

Select the item that means the same as the underlined word.

A preview of the storm.

• result

• warning

• shadow

• report

Tags

CCSS.L.5.5C

Select the item that means the same as the underlined word.

a prominent author

• well-known

• unknown

• young

• forgotten

Tags

CCSS.L.1.4A

CCSS.L.2.4A

CCSS.L.3.4A

CCSS.L.4.5C

CCSS.L.K.5B

Select the item that means the same as the underlined word.

Cattle grazing in the field.

• eating

• sleeping

• plowing

• stampeding

Tags

CCSS.L.5.5C

Select the item that means the same as the underlined word.

Back with a vengeance!

• mercy

• assistance

• shelter

• revenge

Tags

CCSS.L.1.4A

CCSS.L.2.4A

CCSS.L.3.4A

CCSS.L.4.4A

CCSS.L.K.5B

Select the item that means the same as the underlined word.

Eradicate the species.

• adapt to

• investigate

• destroy

• preserve

Tags

CCSS.L.1.4A

CCSS.L.2.4A

CCSS.L.3.4A

CCSS.L.4.4A

CCSS.L.K.5B