Academic Vocabulary in Context
The scientist made a claim, saying her experiment proved plants grow faster with music. She hadn’t shown proof yet, but she strongly stated her idea.
A statement or belief someone says is true.
When the two students disagreed, they explained their reasoning, walking step-by-step through their thoughts.
What does reasoning mean?
The thinking behind your answer.
The class had to compare the two characters by finding what they had in common. Both were brave and cared about helping others.
What does compare mean?
Answer: To find how things are alike.
The teacher asked students to use clues in the chapter to infer how the character was feeling. They had to read between the lines.
What does infer mean?
Answer: To figure something out using clues.
To solve the issue quickly, the group needed to resolve the disagreement by talking calmly and finding a solution everyone could accept.
What does resolve mean?
Answer: To fix or solve a problem.
During the lab, students collected evidence by writing down measurements and observations. They planned to use this information to prove their ideas.
What does evidence mean?
Information or facts that help prove something.
The coach asked the team to analyze the game by breaking it into parts—offense, defense, and communication—to understand what went wrong. What does analyze mean?
To look closely at something to understand it better.
Then they had to contrast them by pointing out how they were different. One character rushed into danger, while the other thought carefully before acting.
What does contrast mean?
Answer: To find how things are different.
The bright setting and cheerful dialogue helped influence the mood of the scene, making readers feel hopeful.
What does influence mean?
Answer: To change or affect something.
The student noticed that one mistake in his work could impact his entire grade, showing how one small thing could change the final result.
What does impact mean?
Answer: To affect or change something.
The teacher asked students to explain how they solved the problem, not just give the answer. She wanted them to describe their steps clearly.
What does explain mean?
To make something clear by describing it.
The outcome of the experiment was surprising—both plants grew the same height. This outcome showed the students that sunlight wasn’t the only important factor.
What does outcome mean?
Answer: The result or what happened in the end.
The student used her project to demonstrate how volcanoes erupt. She showed a model and explained each step clearly.
What does demonstrate mean?
Answer: To show how something works.
The class discussed the conflict, noticing the main problem that pushed the story forward.
What does conflict mean?
Answer: A problem or struggle.
The student decided to revise her schedule because she realized her plan wasn’t working. She rearranged her time to be more productive.
What does revise mean?
Answer: To change something to make it better.
After noticing a mistake in her paragraph, the student decided to revise it. She changed sentences and added better details.
What does revise mean?
To change or improve something.
The weather was a major factor in the canceled trip. Heavy rain made it impossible to drive safely.
What does factor mean?
Answer: Something that causes or affects what happens.
The author included significant details—details that were important enough to affect the story’s meaning.
What does significant mean?
What does significant mean?
Answer: Important or meaningful.
The student had to explain why the setting mattered, describing how the stormy weather affected the characters’ choices.
What does explain mean?
Answer: To make something clear by describing it.
The team had to justify why their idea for a new school rule made sense. They used facts, examples, and logical arguments.
What does justify mean?
Answer: To give good reasons that show something makes sense.
The speaker used charts and stories to support his point about recycling. Everything he shared helped strengthen his argument.
What does support mean?
Answer: To back up or strengthen an idea.
The teacher asked students to evaluate the two articles by judging which one used stronger facts and clearer explanations.
What does evaluate mean?
Answer: To judge how good or strong something is.
The student tried to defend his answer by giving examples and explaining why his solution made sense.
What does defend mean?
What does defend mean?
Answer: To explain why your idea is right.
Two students gave different interpretations of the poem. To support their thoughts, they pointed to specific lines and examples.
What does support mean?
Answer: To give proof or examples that back up your idea.
Before building the bridge, the engineer had to assess its safety by checking measurements, materials, and possible problems.
What does assess mean?
Answer: To check or judge something carefully.