Synonyms and Antonyms
Before the Declaration of Independence was written, Richard Henry Lee suggested a plan of action for the colonies. He wrote that the colonies “are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states.” He also suggested that a “plan of confederation,” or union, be drawn up.
Which word from the passage is a synonym for confederation?
A independent
B union
C declaration
D constitution
B. Union
The root word seism means “shake.” What does a seismograph measure?
A salt shakers
B the shaking of one’s body
C milk shakes
D the shaking of the earth
D. the shaking of the earth
Inside, you’ll see a 1940s model train. A train resembling this one carried miners inside the mine.
What does resembling mean?
A following
B looking like
C replacing
D coming before
B. looking like
Robert was concerned when the other team won the coin toss. The situation escalated when they scored three runs in the first inning.
What does the word “escalated” mean?
A. Got better
B. Concluded
C. Became worse
D. Began
C. Became worse
Which sentence states an opinion?
A Hundreds of Native American tribes lived in North America.
B The Iroquois League and the Zuni tribe were two of these groups.
C They were also two of the most interesting tribes.
D Although they lived in different parts of North America, they had much in common.
C They were also two of the most interesting tribes.
In July 1776, the Continental Congress read the first draft of the Articles of Confederation. This plan outlined the role of government in the new union.
Which of these sentences uses the word role correctly?
A The ball began to role down the hill.
B After answering six questions correctly, Maxine was on a role.
C The teacher’s assistant has an important role in the classroom.
D Chet placed a role on his plate and reached for the butter.
C. The teacher’s assistant has an important role in the classroom.
If geo means “earth,” what is geology?
A the study of the earth
B a person on Earth
C the center of Earth
D writing about the earth
A. The study of the earth
If you have an avid interest in American history, you will enjoy a trip to the Kentucky Coal Mining Museum.
What does avid mean?
A minor; unimportant
B childish
C keen; eager
D financial
C. keen; eager
Brooke assumed her mother would be waiting for her when she exited the library, but she was wrong.
What does the word “assumed” mean?
A. To believe to be true without proof
B. To become upset with a situation
C. To wish something would happen
D. To expect the worst of a situation
A. To believe to be true without proof
The sentence “Fifty male chiefs, or sachems, ruled the Iroquois League” is a fact. How do you know?
A The author believes the statement is true.
B The statement makes sense.
C The statement has numbers.
D The statement can be proven.
D. The statement can be proven
In 1501, Balboa, Prince of the Salty Seas, had his chance to become rich and famous. He joined an expedition to the north coast of South America. The ship landed on the island of Hispaniola. Balboa was determined to depart from there and continue his journey.
Which word is an antonym of depart?
A leave
B return
C arrive
D retreat
C. arrive
If auto means “self,” what does autobiography mean?
A self-confidence
B a self-centered person
C writing about one’s own life
D a place where one lives
C writing about one’s own life
You can see items from the company hospital and from the commissary, where miners bought goods from the coal company, often at high prices.
What is a commissary?
A a miner
B a model train
C a museum
D a store
D. a store
Jenna was a half-hour late for the movie. Her mother didn’t believe her feeble excuse about washing her hair.
What does the word “feeble” mean?
A. Late
B. Weak
C. Annoying
D. Quiet
B. Weak
Which sentence states an opinion?
A Most of the people of the Iroquois League came from tribes, such as the Mohawk, that lived in what is now New York State.
B The Iroquois lived mainly in large wooden houses called longhouses.
C The houses were quite roomy and comfortable.
D In each longhouse, more than one family lived as a group.
C The houses were quite roomy and comfortable.
In 1924, Native Americans gained citizenship. It was not until the 1960s, however, that Native Americans could vote in every state. In 1971, the law was amended to lower the voting age to 18. Now male and female teenagers could vote!
What is a synonym for the word amended?
A broken
B replaced
C changed
D approved
C. Changed
“Small herds consisted of only a few hundred bulls, cows, and calves.” The word consisted means __________.
A were made up
B produced
C closed in
D allowed
A. were made up
There is even a scale model of a coal tipple that once sifted coal and loaded it for shipping.
Which is the best definition of tipple?
A a machine that sifted and loaded coal
B a scale model
C the train that carried miners underground
D a shipping process for coal
A a machine that sifted and loaded coal
The steak was so sparse that mother wondered if it would feed her family.
What does the word “sparse” mean?
A. Thin
B. Delicious
C. Raw
D. Overdone
A. Thin
Which sentence states a fact?
A Nelson worked long and hard until he found a formula that worked for his candy bar.
B Nelson’s creations were delicious, and people loved them.
C Nelson's bars were a huge hit.
D Nelson went into business making and selling his new treat, which he named “Eskimo Pie.”
D Nelson went into business making and selling his new treat, which he named “Eskimo Pie.”
“In 1924, Native Americans gained citizenship.” Which phrase contains a synonym for gained?
State the phrase AND point out the synonym.
A. Over the years, more people acquired the right to vote.
B. In the 2012 presidential election, only 62% of eligible citizens voted.
C. Women wanted the right to vote, too.
D. In 1776, they declared their independence.
A. Over the years, more people acquired the right to vote.
“The immense buffalo herds of the Great Plains were a natural resource.” The word immense means __________.
A widespread
B scarce
C very large
D hidden
C very large
The museum has a fine collection of photographs. The pictures show miners and their families. The pictures show the buildings where the miners lived and worked. The photos also show the hardships that the miners endured. They worked long, hard hours. They survived in danger. They worked in darkness. The coal they dug kept America warm.
Which clue from the passage helps you figure out the meaning of endured?
A “pictures of miners”
B “hardships”
C “lived and worked”
D “kept America warm”
B "hardships"
Brett was tempted to evade his brother’s question because he was unsure of the answer.
What does the word “evade” mean?
A. Examine
B. Answer
C. Interrupt
D. Avoid
D. Avoid
Shoot Out!
Select 1 person from each team to go up against each other at the "hoop!" We'll go round for round until there's a champion. Then, the prize shall be revealed!
Congratulations! You are the champion of your team! Since you are so noble, you agree to gift the other teams 100 points, IF they can explain what noble means!