Understanding Vocabulary

The islands enjoy mild temperatures largely because of their proximity to the ocean. Ocean water heats up and cools down more slowly than land, so areas by the coast usually experience less extreme temperature swings in summers and winters. Furthermore, the Atlantic Archipelago benefits from being near the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream is an ocean current that begins in the Gulf of Mexico, flows up the east coast of North America, then crosses the Atlantic Ocean and reaches the Atlantic Archipelago.

1.The word proximity in the passage is closest in meaning to

• dependence.

• introduction.

• Significance.

• closeness.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4A

CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.L.7.5B

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

The Atlantic Archipelago is about 54 degrees north of the equator, similar to Russia and Canada. Yet, despite their northern location,the islands have a temperate marine climate that ranges from 32 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.

2. The word temperate in the passage is closest in meaning to

• moderate.

• extreme

• varying.

• humid

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4A

CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.L.7.5B

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

Typically, this strategy is used by larger animals, like the European hedgehog, that are capable of hunting other organisms. In a manner similar to African crested rats, European hedgehogs chew the skins of poisonous toads and slather the remains onto themselves. However, some

small species have developed methods of obtaining toxins from animals larger than them.

3.The word slather in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to

• gather.

• toss

• spread

• drop

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4C

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

This strip of fur is covered with poison that the rat obtains by chewing on the bark and roots of the arrow poison tree and coating the hairs on its spine with the chewed material. Thus, if a predator attacks the rat, it inadvertently ingests the poison, which causes heart attacks in many organisms.

4. The word Inadvertently in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to

• suddenly.

• partially.

• accidentally.

• harmlessly.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4A

CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.L.7.5B

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

These theories were accepted to various degrees among the scientific community and there was much debate among scientists about which one provided the most complete account of how the moon formed. Ultimately the validity of both was undermined in the second half of the twentieth century. At this time, newly available data from lunar missions revealed several inconsistencies between the assumptions of the theories and facts about the moon.

5.The word undermined in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to

• dismissed.

• weakened.

• proven.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4A

CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.L.7.5B

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

Theia was likely about 4,000 miles in diameter, roughly the size of Mars. During Earth's formation, Theia crashed into Earth and disintegrated. Scientists believe that the collision between Earth and Theia caused at least two large chunks of Earth to break off.

6.The word disintegrated in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to

• became larger.

• softened.

• broke apart.

• disappeared.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.3.6

CCSS.L.K.5A

For example, the theory accounts for why there is evidence that the moon was subjected to strong heat while there is no such evidence on Earth. Scientists speculate that when Theia collided with Earth, intense heat was produced at the point of impact.

7.The word speculate in paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to

• theorize.

• confirm.

• overlook.

• reveal.

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.4A

CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.L.7.5B

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.9-10.4A