post / pohst/ noun 1. a strong piece of timber or metal used to support or hold something 2. a military base with permanent buildings 3. the station where a person is located while on duty such as a soldier or nurse 4. a person who traveled express, especially over a fixed route, carrying mail, currency, etc.

Paragraph: The officer was on duty at the high school basketball game and he received a call from his boss at the police station. Evidently, they were busy, and the officer needed to return to his post at the station.

Which is the best definition of the word post as it is used in this paragraph?

Janelle was upset that her father took away her cell phone when the situation really wasn’t her fault. She was told by her teacher that she could retake her algebra test to bring her grade up and then; when she went to take the test, her teacher said it was too late. It annoyed her that her teacher was the real reason that she lost her phone. Or maybe it was that she didn’t study very hard for algebra all semester? Who knows?

Which word is an antonym for annoyed as used in the paragraph above?

hold (hohld) verb 1. to grasp 2. to set aside 3. to have a belief 4. to keep from doing something

Sentence: The department store told her they would hold her new dress for three days if she couldn’t pick it up right away.

Which is the best definition of the word hold as it is used in the sentence above?

track (trak) noun 1. a path made by people or animals 2. a course or route followed 3. parallel lines of rails for railroads 4. a footprint made by people or animals

Emily was upset at her father and decided to walk to school. She took a shortcut her friend had told her about. Even though she had to cut through the wooded area, it didn’t bother her because she could see the track all the kids had made and just followed it.

Which is the best definition of the word track as it is used in this paragraph?

bend (bend) verb 1. to direct or turn in a particular direction 2. to force from a straight line to a curved or angular one 3. to fasten something 4. to change one’s thoughts

Sentence: Jasmine was positive that she was right about how many miles it was to Colorado; but she decided she could bend a little and for once, let her brother be right.

Which is the best definition of the word bend as it is used in the sentence?

Jerry Spinelli is the author of over 25 children’s books. Some of his most popular works include Maniac Magee, Stargirl, and Wringer. Most of Spinelli’s characters are around middle-school age. They are often people who stand apart from their peers. For example, in Maniac Magee the main character, Jeffrey, is one of the only characters who rejects the segregation of the town he lives in and makes friends with people of all races. Readers get lost in Spinelli’s vivid writing, which enables them to imagine what it is like to be in the characters’ shoes. Read the following dictionary entry for the word vivid:

vivid adjective. 1. bright, easy to see 2. full of life or freshness 3. creates clear images.

Alex sat in the bleachers and looked out over the football field. The stands were full of fans. The smell of nachos and hot dogs filled the air. Alex checked his watch. It was almost seven, the game would begin any minute. A man’s voice boomed over the loud speaker. The voice led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance and everyone stood while a woman sang ‘The Star Spangled Banner.” Finally, the announcer introduced the team. The players ran onto the field while the crowd jumped up and let out a hearty cheer.

hearty adjective 1. strong 2. having a large appetite 3. filling or nourishing 4. enthusiastic, full of energy