8th Grade Vocabulary
These words mean about the same thing
What are synonyms?
The turning point of a story
What is the climax?
The term used to make an educated guess based on evidence
What is an inference?
The sea lashed out in anger at the ships.
What is personification?
The reporter knew the scandal would infuriate the senator, making him furious and likely to cause a scene.
furious or angry
These small word "parts" are added to the end of a word to change its meaning
What are suffixes?
The primary problem that drives the action of the story; what the protagonist needs to overcome
What is the conflict?
To mark up the text with notes, definitions, or other things to help you understand the text
What are annotations?
I can run as fast as a cheetah.
What is a simile?
After the long hike, our water supply was depleted, leaving us with empty canteens and intense thirst.
empty or used up
These words mean the opposite
What are antonyms?
The introduction to a story, including the characters and setting
What is the exposition?
What is author's purpose?
I planted purple petunias in the park.
What is alliteration?
Unlike his garrulous sister who talks constantly, Mark is very quiet and keeps to himself.
talkative
These small word "parts" are added to the beginning of words to change its meaning
What are prefixes?
What is the resolution?
The character that often creates the conflict in a story
What is the antagonist?
The classroom is an ice box today!
What is a metaphor?
Her tenacious grip on the rope ensured she wouldn't fall, proving she was determined to hold on no matter what.
persistent or determined
The words around a difficult word to help the reader determine the meaning
What are context clues?
All of the events that lead to the eventual climax, including character development and events that create suspense.
What is the rising action?
The lesson or message that can be learned from a story
What is theme?
I can smell pizza from a mile away!
What is hyperbole?
The orator's voice was so mellifluous that the audience sat in silent, peaceful enjoyment of her speech; it sounded like sweet music.
smooth or pleasant-sounding