Column 1
The boy was very reluctant to try the strange new food, even though everyone said it was delicious.
What does reluctant mean?
A) excited
B) unwilling
C) hungry
D) careful
B) unwilling
The kitten was so timid that it ran away whenever someone came near.
What does timid mean?
A) brave
B) hungry
C) shy
D) fast
C) shy
Despite being warned, Liam continued to behave in a reckless manner, ignoring the consequences of his actions.
What does reckless mean?
A) careful
B) silly
C) dangerous and irresponsible
D) thoughtful
C) dangerous and irresponsible
Marcus was feeling elated after getting a perfect score on his science test.
What does elated mean?
A) nervous
B) excited
C) disappointed
D) tired
B) excited
After hours of hiking, the group finally reached the serene lake, where the water was calm and peaceful.
What does serene mean?
A) noisy
B) angry
C) quiet
D) dirty
C) quiet
The teacher asked the students to summarize the story in just a few sentences.
What does summarize mean?
A) copy
B) retell briefly
C) write down
D) decorate
B) retell briefly
The scientist recorded the gradual changes in the experiment over several weeks.
What does gradual mean?
A) sudden
B) slow and steady
C) confusing
D) quick and dramatic
B) slow and steady
The generous woman gave her time and money to help others in need.
What does generous mean?
A) selfish
B) rich
C) kind and giving
D) happy
C) kind and giving
Jenny tried to conceal the broken vase by hiding it in the closet.
What does conceal mean?
A) display
B) repair
C) hide
D) clean
C) hide
The magician’s trick was so bizarre that the audience didn’t know what to think.
What does bizarre mean?
A) strange
B) simple
C) fun
D) boring
A) strange
Her ambition to become an astronaut kept her studying science late into the night.
What does ambition mean?
A) fear
B) excitement
C) strong desire to achieve something
D) dislike
C) strong desire to achieve something
The room was so cluttered with toys and clothes that we could barely walk through it.
What does cluttered mean?
A) clean and neat
B) filled in an untidy way
C) colorful and bright
D) decorated nicely
B) filled in an untidy way
The frigid wind made everyone pull their coats tighter around them.
What does frigid mean?
A) freezing
B) gentle
C) wet
D) warm
A) freezing
We were surprised by how vivid her dream was — she could remember every detail!
What does vivid mean?
A) confusing
B) exciting
C) clear and detailed
D) short
C) clear and detailed
The old building was declared obsolete, as no one had used it for years and it no longer met safety standards.
What does obsolete mean?
A) unsafe but necessary
B) empty and cold
C) no longer useful
D) very popular
C) no longer useful
After being caught cheating, the student showed remorse and apologized sincerely to the class.
What does remorse mean?
A) pride
B) laughter
C) deep regret
D) confusion
C) deep regret
“It was Charles,” he said. “He was fresh. The teacher spanked him and made him stand in a corner. He was awfully fresh.”
What does fresh mean?
A) silly B) cool C) loud D) sassy
D) sassy
The day my son Laurie started kindergarten he renounced corduroy overalls with bibs and began wearing blue jeans with a belt.
What does renounced mean?
A) loved B) hated C) wore twice D) gave up
D) gave up
He came home the same way, the front door slamming open, his cap on the floor, and the voice suddenly become raucous shouting, “Isn’t anybody here?”
What does raucous mean?
A) loud and harsh B) funny C) rude D) whispered
A) loud and harsh
With the third week of kindergarten Charles was an institution in our family; the baby was being a Charles when she cried all afternoon.
What does institution mean?
A) villain B) constant feature C) name C) hamburger
B) constant feature