What does this word mean?
Sarah abruptly slammed her locker when she heard the bell ring for class.
What does "abruptly" mean?
a) quickly b) slowly c) excitedly
"It's raining cats and dogs outside."
What does "it's raining cats and dogs" mean?
a) cats and dogs are falling out of the sky b) it's raining really hard c) people are giving away free kittens and puppies
What do you picture in your mind when you think of your house?
Any relevant description of the house. For example, "It's white and has a red door. Inside is the kitchen with a fridge and oven."
The teacher said go to your alternative class because I have a meeting.
What does "alternative" mean?
a) the other choice b) gym class c) the same
"Her head was spinning with all the new information."
What does "her head was spinning" mean in this sentence?
a) she was spinning in circles b) she felt confused c) she felt angry
What do you picture in your mind when you think about your favorite sport?
Any relevant description of the sport. For example, "I imagine people kicking a soccer ball into a goal on a grassy field."
The teacher said "We will mix all the components of the experiment together."
What does "component" mean?
a) an experiment b) homework c)parts; ingredients
"She was the shining star of the show."
What does "shining star" mean in this sentence?
a) a real star b) a toy star c) the best person in the show
The castle was on a high hill with forest around it and a stream flowing all around it.
What do you picture in your mind?
Any relevant response. For example, "I picture a really old castle with tall towers and a moat."
All the inhabitants of the state can get a library card at the Boston Public Library.
What does "inhabitants" mean?
a) adults b) children c) people who live in a place
"Waiting for hours was such a pain in the neck."
What does "pain in the neck" mean in this sentence?
a) it made the person's neck hurt b) it was annoying c) it was really confusing
The squirrel scurried up the tree holding an acorn in its mouth. It darted in to a small hole in the tree lined with soft leaves and fur. It snuggled in to the nest and started nibbling on the acorn.
What do you picture in your mind?
During debate club, one student said "I don't find your argument very persuasive."
What does "persuasive" mean?
a) convincing b) true c) easy to understand
"I wasn't surprised when she laughed and cried during the movie. She wears her heart on her sleeve."
What does "she wears her heart on her sleeve mean?"
a) she took her heart out of her body and put it on her sleeve b) she is wearing a shirt with hearts on it c) she shows how she feels
"Hudson had been looking forward to this trip for weeks. This was more than the usual buzz and excitement about end-of-year trips. This was the eighth grade class trip! The last trip before high school. The best field trip, maybe the best thing, that middle school had to offer.
In sixth grade, they had gotten on a sweaty bus and gone to Medieval Times. Watching a bunch of adults play pretend and put on a whole dinner tournament for them was way better than school, even if some of the food was really gross. And in seventh grade, they had all gone to the local pool, which was more fun. But still." (From "The Roller Coaster" by Shelby Ostergaard)
What do you picture in your mind when you read this story?
Any relevant response. For example, "I picture getting on a yellow school bus and I picture swimming in a pool in my friend's backyard."