Vocabulary
My vocabulary tests are ______________, they happen every single week.
a. recurring
b. flammable
c. permanent
recurring
Jamal pulled his hoodie tighter as he stepped off the bus, even though it wasn’t cold outside. He glanced down the street and checked his phone for the third time in a minute. A group of kids laughed loudly near the corner, and Jamal quickly turned the other way, walking faster now. When he reached his house, he didn’t go inside right away. Instead, he sat on the front steps, staring at the ground and tapping his foot. After a long moment, he let out a deep sigh and opened the door slowly.
Why does Jamal seem nervous and avoid the group of kids near the corner?
Jamal likely feels nervous or worried about the group of kids because he might have had a bad experience with them before, or he thinks they might tease or bother him. His actions—checking his phone repeatedly, turning away, walking faster, and hesitating before going inside—suggest he’s anxious and trying to avoid them.
The teacher praised his meticulous work, meaning it was done with great attention to detail and care.
Meticulous means careful
I woke up early on Saturday to help my dad clean up the yard, and my dad said, "the early bird gets the worm!"
People who start things early will be more successful.
If I forget to wear my glasses, I will have trouble seeing all day long.
Define glasses.
a pair of lenses set in a frame used to help vision.
On a hot summer day, it feels refreshing to __________ yourself in a nice cool pool.
a. buoyant
b. submerge
c. recur
b. submerge
Lena opened her lunchbox and frowned. She poked at her sandwich, then quickly closed the lid when her friends sat down next to her. “I’m not really hungry,” she said, even though her stomach growled loudly.
Why might Lena say she’s not hungry?
Lena might feel embarrassed about her lunch or worried her friends will judge it, so she pretends she isn’t hungry.
Her reluctance, or unwillingness, to speak in front of the class was clear from the way she avoided eye contact.
hesitation
When I waited until the morning to do my homework, my mom said, "You're really playing with fire, that's a lot to do in a little bit of time."
taking a foolish risk.
My mom said, "Put your dirty dishes in the sink, please."
Define sink.
a sink in a kitchen, used for washing dishes and preparing food.
My cousin is really _________________ about doing her homework. She does it on the bus on the way to school in the morning.
a. recurring
b. lackadaisical
c. dilligent
b. lackadaisical
Marcus checked the scoreboard again as the final buzzer sounded. His team had lost by one point. He untied his sneakers slowly and avoided looking at his coach. When his teammate tried to give him a high five, Marcus shook his head and walked to the bench.
How is Marcus feeling, and why?
Marcus is likely feeling disappointed or upset because his team lost a close game, and his behavior shows he’s frustrated or blaming himself.
Some renewable resources, such as solar and wind energy, can be replaced naturally over time.
Renewable means replaceable
My cousin let the cat out of the bag about my aunt's surprise party, and now she knows about it.
Ruin a surprise
When the tire went flat on my bike it was not stable at all. I kept falling over.
Define stable.
Steady, balanced
There was an _____________ in the cafeteria. A boy started throwing food and it turned into a food fight.
a recurring
b lackadaisical
c. incident
c. incident
As the teacher handed back the tests, Priya kept her eyes on her desk. When her paper landed in front of her, she hesitated before turning it over. After a quick glance, she smiled slightly and sat up a little straighter in her chair.
How did Priya do on the test? How do you know?
She did well, and I know because she smiled when she looked at her grade. You smile when something makes you happy, and a good grade would make you feel happy.
His answer was vague, or unclear, which confused the audience.
Not clear
Nick was green with envy when his friend got the new videogame that he wanted for a long time.
Jealous
My dog sheds his fur all over the furniture.
Define shed.
to lose.
a. permanent, temporary
b. temporary, permanent
c. lackadaisical/dilligent
b. temporary, permanent
The house was unusually quiet when Daniel walked in. His dog didn’t come running to greet him, and the lights in the living room were off. On the kitchen table, he noticed a folded note next to a set of car keys. Daniel read it quickly, grabbed his backpack, and rushed back out the door without turning on any lights.
What is happening? Why does Daniel have to leave so quickly?
Daniel likely read something urgent or important in the note, such as a family situation or emergency. The quiet house, the note with car keys, and his rushed reaction suggest he needs to leave quickly to deal with something serious.
The region experienced a scarcity of water, meaning a shortage or very small supply, as seen in drought-stricken areas where crops fail.
Not enough
in big trouble.
My family stores our summer clothes in the basement during the winter.
Define store.
something kept for use when needed.