Unfamiliar words and phrases

In the sentence, 'Even though the movie was long, the plot was so compelling that I couldn't look away,' what does 'compelling' mean?

• Boring and slow

• Very interesting and engaging

• Confusing and complex

• Loud and exciting

Answer explanation

The context clue 'I couldn't look away' suggests that the plot held the speaker's attention, meaning it was very interesting and engaging. The other options are not supported by the context.

Match the sentence to the type of context clue used for the bolded word.

• Example Clue

• The journey was perilous; for example, they had to cross a rickety bridge and climb a steep cliff.

• Definition/Synonym Clue

• She felt elated, or overjoyed, when she won the prize.

• Antonym/Contrast Clue

• He was gregarious, unlike his shy and quiet brother.

Answer explanation

Each sentence uses a different type of clue: 'perilous' is defined by examples, 'gregarious' is defined by its contrast with 'shy,' and 'elated' is directly defined by the synonym 'overjoyed'.

Sort the sentences based on whether the word 'flew' is used in a literal or figurative sense.

Groups:

(a) Literal (Actually Flying)

,

(b) Figurative (Not Actually Flying)

• I flew through my homework to get to the game on time.

• Time flew by while we were having fun.

• The bird flew south for the winter.

• The superhero flew over the city.

Answer explanation

Literal language means the words mean exactly what they say (a bird flying). Figurative language uses words to mean something else (moving quickly through homework or time passing fast).

In the sentence, 'The band played a great set, and the crowd cheered for an encore,' what does the word 'set' mean?

• A group of things that belong together

• To put something in a specific place

• A collection of songs played in a performance

• To become firm or solid, like Jell-O

Answer explanation

The context of a 'band' playing and a 'crowd' cheering indicates that 'set' refers to a musical performance. The other options are different meanings of the word 'set'.

The Latin root 'port' means 'to carry.' Based on this knowledge, what is the most likely meaning of the word transport in the sentence below?

The trucks will transport the goods across the country.

• A) To sell something from a distance

• B) To carry something from one place to another

• C) To create a new product

• D) To support something that is very heavy

Answer explanation

The prefix 'trans-' means 'across,' and the root 'port' means 'to carry.' Therefore, 'transport' means to carry something across from one place to another.

Match each sentence to the correct meaning of the word 'light'.

• Pale in color

• Turn on the light so I can see.

• A source of brightness

• She wore a light shade of blue.

• Not heavy

• The box was surprisingly light.

Answer explanation

The word 'light' has multiple meanings. The context of each sentence determines whether it means not heavy, a source of brightness, or pale in color.

My little brother is so gullible; he believed me when I told him that chocolate milk comes from brown cows. What does 'gullible' mean?

• Easily fooled or tricked

• Very smart and clever

• Mean and unfriendly

• Quiet and shy

Answer explanation

The example clue, 'he believed me when I told him that chocolate milk comes from brown cows,' shows that the brother is easily fooled, which is the definition of 'gullible'.

Sort these words into two groups based on their meaning: 'Words for Happy' and 'Words for Sad'.

Groups:

(a) Words for Happy

,

(b) Words for Sad

• Gloomy

• Melancholy

• Ecstatic

• Cheerful

• Sorrowful

• Jubilant

Answer explanation

This task requires grouping words by their shared meaning (synonyms). 'Jubilant,' 'ecstatic,' and 'cheerful' all relate to happiness, while 'melancholy,' 'gloomy,' and 'sorrowful' all relate to sadness.

After hearing the hilarious joke, my friend said, 'I'm literally dying of laughter!' What does the use of 'literally' imply here?

• The friend was in real medical danger.

• The word is used figuratively to add emphasis to how much they were laughing.

• The joke wasn't funny at all.

• The friend was laughing very quietly.

Answer explanation

In this common phrase, 'literally' is used figuratively (hyperbole) to exaggerate and emphasize a strong feeling. The person is not actually dying.

Match each prefix to its meaning.

• again

• re- (as in 'redo')

• before

• pre- (as in 'preview')

• wrongly

• mis- (as in 'misunderstand')

• not

• un- (as in 'unhappy')

Answer explanation

Prefixes are added to the beginning of words to change their meaning. 'un-' means not, 're-' means again, 'mis-' means wrongly, and 'pre-' means before.