Vocabulary "The Banana Tree" by James Berry Grade 8

Which sentence best demonstrates the meaning of the word "merciless" as used in the following context: "The merciless sun beat down on the desert, offering no relief to the travelers"?

• The sun was gentle and provided shade to everyone, making the journey comfortable.

• The sun was harsh and showed no pity, making the travelers suffer under its intense heat.

• The sun was hidden behind thick clouds, so the travelers felt cool and refreshed.

• The sun was setting peacefully, casting a soft glow over the desert landscape.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

In the sentence, "She was tormented by her past," what does "tormented" most likely mean?

• Comforted by her past, which brought her peace and happiness.

• Bothered or distressed by her past, causing her emotional pain.

• Ignored her past completely, so it had no effect on her.

• Entertained by her past, which made her laugh and smile often.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which of the following is a synonym for "calamity"?

• Success in overcoming a difficult situation and achieving a positive outcome.

• Disaster, which refers to a sudden event causing great damage or distress.

• Celebration, where people gather to enjoy a happy occasion together.

• Improvement in conditions that leads to a better quality of life for everyone.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which word is an antonym for "tempestuous"?

• Calm, meaning peaceful and free from disturbance or strong emotion.

• Stormy, which describes weather or situations that are violent and full of conflict.

• Violent, referring to something marked by extreme force or intensity.

• Turbulent, which means characterized by conflict, disorder, or confusion.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which sentence uses the word "impeded" correctly?

• The fallen tree impeded the flow of traffic, causing a long delay for all the drivers on the road.

• The river impeded quickly downstream, making it difficult for boats to travel safely.

• The impeded was a type of bird that lived in the forest and sang every morning.

• She impeded her homework with excitement, finishing it faster than usual.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

What does the adverb "relentlessly" suggest about how someone is acting?

• Occasionally, with breaks in between, and not showing much determination.

• Without stopping or giving up, continuing with determination and persistence.

• With hesitation and uncertainty, often pausing to reconsider their actions.

• With kindness and gentleness, always thinking of others’ feelings first.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Which of the following best describes something "unnatural"?

• Occurring in nature, following the usual patterns found in the environment.

• Artificial or not normal, often created by humans or behaving in a strange way.

• Healthy and organic, grown without chemicals or artificial substances.

• Traditional, following customs and practices that have existed for a long time.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which sentence best uses the word "atmosphere"?

• The atmosphere in the room was tense during the debate, making everyone feel nervous and uneasy.

• She atmosphere her homework every night, making sure to finish it before dinner.

• The atmosphere ran quickly down the street, surprising everyone who saw it happen.

• He atmosphere his lunch with friends, enjoying the meal and the conversation.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4

Which of the following is the best definition of "recognition" in the context of an award ceremony?

• Forgetting someone’s name during the ceremony, which can be embarrassing for everyone involved.

• Acknowledgment or praise for achievement, such as giving someone a trophy or certificate.

• Ignoring someone’s efforts and not mentioning their hard work at all.

• Criticizing someone’s work in front of an audience, making them feel uncomfortable.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Which word is most similar in meaning to "turbulent"?

• Peaceful, describing a situation that is calm and free from disturbance or conflict.

• Calm, which means quiet and not easily disturbed by outside forces.

• Chaotic, meaning full of disorder, confusion, or unpredictable changes.

• Quiet, referring to a place or situation with little noise or activity.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4