Mars is a frozen red desert whipped by tornadoes and fierce winds. Which word is an antonym for fierce? 

“Forty million years ago, when the earth was much wetter and warmer, huge forests with many kinds of trees thrived in the far north.” What does the word thrived mean in the sentence?

The canal was so parched that the fish lined up with their towels to take turns swimming in the few remaining water holes. What is the meaning of the word parched in this sentence?

“The nearer he got to Father, the more he dreaded asking for a nickel. He was sure Father would not give it to him.” What does dreaded mean in these sentences? 

“Millions of years passed, and the climate of the earth altered dramatically. The northlands turned cold and icy.” What does altered mean in the sentence? 

“Here’s the key,” she would say, retrieving a small brass key from her pocket.” What is a synonym for the word retrieving? 

“One way is to conserve energy. If we burn less fossil fuel, we’ll produce less carbon dioxide.” What is a synonym for conserve? 

A tiny yard is an unsuitable place to keep a big dog. What does the word in red mean?

No matter where you go, the Internet is following you. Almost every portable device is being made with an Internet connection. Most new TVs and many other appliances come with Internet connections as well. The Internet is truly ubiquitous. If something is ubiquitous, __________.

Speaking rudely to the judges was rash behavior. You really hurt your chances of winning! In the above context, what does “rash” mean?

Some people are always bashing the president just like others bashed the one before him. Wouldn't you think that everyone could find something to praise him for, at least once in a while?
What does “bashing” mean in the above selection?

Wherever he goes, the esteemed Dr. Sanchez is applauded for his life saving research. What does “esteemed” mean?

I believe that if you lower taxes so that people can keep more of the money they earn, it will be an incentive for them to work harder. What is the meaning of “incentive”? __________.

Most of America's Founding Fathers did not believe in women's suffrage. Only men could vote in the United states until 1920.
What is “suffrage” ?

Some people are sure that the new health care law will mean better care for everyone. Others argue that the law will mean less care and longer waiting lines for those who need to see doctors. It's a controversy that will not go away soon. A controversy is something that people _______.

Removing seeds from cotton plants was a slow job until Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. What is a cotton gin?

In the early 1600s, a dangerous trip across the Atlantic Ocean was a daunting idea. The Europeans, who would someday be known as the Pilgrims, must have been a very determined and brave group of settlers. A daunting task is one that would _______ someone.

The original Pilgrims called themselves the “Saints” and referred to others who joined with them for the voyage as the “Strangers.” In this context, “original” means _______.

 The Saints and Strangers argued about how they would live in the New World. After much discussion, they came together and signed the Mayflower Compact. The Compact was _______. 

 When the Pilgrims landed in what is now Massachusetts, they were fearful that the Native Americans would attack them. However, the people that they encountered, the Wampanoag Indians, were a peaceful and generous tribe. To encounter, is to _______.

As the summer sun sent scattered rays through the maple and oak leaves overhead, the young deer stood frozen, making it almost impossible for the hikers to see her. In the above passage, the word “frozen” means _______.