Sound of Thunder vocab context clue sentences

Imagine this! You're on a secret mission and you've been given specific instructions. But beware! If you dare to disobey these instructions, you'll face a stiff penalty of another ten thousand dollars, plus the government might come after you on your return!

Can you guess what stiff means in this thrilling scenario?

• severe or harsh

• simple or easy

• a promise

• a one time thing

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

Imagine you're the owner of a bustling business. Suddenly, you're told you have to pay a hefty graft to keep your franchise running. What a bummer, right?

Now, can you guess what graft means in this context?

• A sneaky term for bribery for political gain

• Some kind of high-tech security system

• Just a fancy word for taxes

• A business term for the hiring of multiple people

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

Imagine you've just built a time machine! But, it's a finicky piece of work.

What do you think finicky could mean in this context?

• meticulous attention to detail

• prone to risks

• highly successful

• widely popular

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.11-12.4

Imagine you're in the Stone Age, and you come across a caveman. But wait, this isn't just any expendable caveman, oh no!

What do you think expendable could possibly mean in this context?

• of little significance

• large or giant in stature

• small or petite

• of great importance

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

Get ready for an adventure! We're about to bisect the trail in a minute. Keep your eyes peeled for the red paint!

Can you guess what bisect means in this context?

• divided in two

• to follow with great detail

• to meet up with another

• to leave or move out of

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Imagine this: Each lower leg was like a mighty piston, encased in thick ropes of muscle, and sheathed over in a gleam of pebbled skin like the mail of a fearsome warrior.

Now, can you guess what mail most likely means in this context?

• Linked armor, like a knight would wear

• Written letters, like you receive in your mailbox

• Rocks, like you'd find on a mountain trail

• Dry and arid, like a desert landscape

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Imagine this: Bones cracked under the immense tonnage of its own flesh, off balance, the dead weight snapping the delicate forearms, caught underneath.

Now, can you guess what tonnage most likely means in this context?

• weight measured in tons

• the size of an elephant

• an excessive or great amount

• weight measured in small amounts

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Imagine you're in a fantasy world, staring at the remains of a defeated Monster. The stagnating mound of the creature is already being explored by peculiar birds and golden insects, who are busy at the steaming armor.

What do you think stagnating could mean in this context?

• to stop growing

• gigantic or large in size

• dead or deceased

• alive and strong in strength

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.11-12.4

Imagine Eckels, slowly turning towards the primeval garbage dump, a hill that could give anyone nightmares and terror.

What could primeval possibly mean in this context?

• Something that resembles the earliest ages in the history of the world

• An entity that is evil beyond comprehension

• Something dirty and most likely disgusting in smell

• Aspects related to future historical events

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

Imagine Eckels, standing there, sniffing the air. There's a chemical scent so faint that only a whisper from his subliminal senses alerts him to its presence.

What could subliminal possibly mean in this context?

• Something that's below the level of consciousness

• A simple misunderstanding

• Referring to instincts

• Something easily known and aware of

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4