8th Grade Vocabulary in Context Passages

The shark circled closer to the interlopers who had invaded his domain.  Stacey and Kelly pivoted as the shark turned. They never took their eyes off the gray mass that was now shadowing them.  The inexperienced divers soon realized they were not where they should be.

What does interloper mean?

• a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task.

• a person who betrays a friend, country, principle, etc.

• one that intrudes in a place or sphere of activity.

• a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection,

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Peering through the swinging doors that led to the restaurant’s kitchen, Aaron could see the shining copper cooking pots and gleaming utensils.  The floors were spotless, with not a crumb of food in sight.  He was pleased to see that the kitchen was immaculate. What does immaculate mean? 

• not properly planned and controlled.

• perfectly clean, neat, or tidy.

• having much or varied color; bright.

• having a muffled sound as a result of being fitted with a mute.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

The gypsies took their caravan south in the winter and north in the summer, stopping wherever they chose.  They did not enroll their children into school, and they seldom visited a doctor for medical care.  Leading such a vagrant lifestyle, they did not establish any permanent ties. What does vagrant mean? 

• a person without a settled home or regular work who wanders from place to place and lives by begging.

• a famous person.

• a person who is professionally involved in politics, especially as a holder of or a candidate for an elected office.

• a working class person who performs manual labor.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

World War I presented an opportune time for women to prove themselves as men’s equals.  With many men off fighting in the war, the country was faced with a shortage of manpower.  This allowed women to step into farm and factory jobs that were previously off limits to them.  Women were now in a position to prove their competence and reliability. What does opportune mean? 

• contrary to or forbidden by law, especially criminal law.

• not convenient especially in giving trouble or annoyance

• occurring at an appropriate time.

• causing lighthearted laughter and amusement; comic.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Because of his candid approach, the director’s opinions were sought and well received by the actors.  The performers clearly benefited from his direct and sincere style, and they never took his comments personally.  He had the ability to say what he thought without offending. What does candid mean? 

• characterized by indirect resistance to the demands of others and avoidance of direct confrontation.

• truthful and straightforward; frank.

• open to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning.

• causing lighthearted laughter and amusement; comic.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

“I’ll walk ahead,” said Joon, “and find which path is the safest and the most likely to lead back to the cabin.”  Joon then began his reconnaissance, starting out on the trail to the left.  He carefully scanned the terrain for dangerous elements, such as steep cliffs, that he knew the injured hikers would not be able to climb. What does reconnaissance mean? 

• preliminary surveying or research; military observation of a region to locate an enemy or ascertain strategic features.

• the action of defending from or resisting attack.

• the crime of betraying one's country, especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government.

• opportunity afforded by free time to do something

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

In the Gettysburg Address, President Lincoln stated that the brave soldiers who fought so valiantly had already consecrated the ground.  No special ceremony or ritual was really needed to dedicate the land.  The historical importance of the Civil War is what made the battlefields sacred and meaningful to the people of the United States. What does consecrated mean?

• preserve the memory of; commemorate.

• treat with violent disrespect; violate.

• having been made or declared sacred.

• bring (something) into existence.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

The mound of earth proved to contain the remains of not one but several ancient cities, built one atop of the other.  The added expense of labor that this discovery would involve did not deter the archeologist.  On the contrary, he was now more determined than ever to find the City of Troy about which Homer had written. What does deter mean? 

• To prevent the occurrence of.

• To treat with violent disrespect; violate.

• To render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible.

• To give support, confidence, or hope to (someone).

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

I grew up in a family that believed showing emotion was a sign of weakness.  My father was completely contemptuous of people who outwardly expressed their feelings, especially in the case of sadness or grief.  “Only the weak cry,” he would remind me.  “No son of mine is going to be a sniveling wimp.” What does contemptuous mean? 

• render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible.

• causing lighthearted laughter and amusement; comic.

• manifesting, feeling, or expressing deep hatred or disapproval : feeling or showing contempt

• occurring at an appropriate time.

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.L.9-10.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

The audit checks every part of the store’s business activities.  The information contained in the long report provides the I.R.S. with a way to monitor the type and the amount of the store’s business.  The agency will need a copy of all the company’s receipts before it can start the investigation. What does audit mean? 

• To accuse (someone) of something, especially an offense under law.

• To render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible.

• to give support, confidence, or hope to (someone).

• To conduct an official financial examination of (an individual's or organization's accounts)

Tags

CCSS.L.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4