Common Words
The old cottage, with its roof of weathered ________, stood at the edge of a dense forest.
shingles
Fresh water became increasingly scarce as the drought continued to ravage the region.
The scarcity of affordable housing in the city has led to a significant increase in homelessness.
scarce - adjective
scarcity - noun
The ________ creature stumbled through the underbrush, its awkward movements betraying its unfamiliarity with the dense forest terrain.
ungainly
This passage contains which literary device?
Her patience was like an infinite ocean, vast and boundless, absorbing every wave of adversity without a ripple of complaint.
Simile
This adorable salamander is on the brink of extinction because of destruction of its unique habitat found ONLY in Mexico's largest city.
Axolotl
The ________ was a treasure trove of culinary delights, its shelves brimming with exotic spices.
pantry
Tourists flock to the city every spring to witness the stunning cherry blossoms in full bloom.
A flock of birds soared gracefully across the evening sky, creating a mesmerizing silhouette against the setting sun.
Tourists flock = verb
A flock of birds = noun
The ________ of food and other essential resources during the harsh winter months led to widespread hardship and suffering among the isolated villagers.
scarcity
The twilight sky was deep purple and fiery orange, and cast an ethereal glow over the tranquil meadow. Ancient oaks stood sentinel at the field's edge, their gnarled branches whispering secrets to the gentle breeze that carried the scent of blooming wildflowers.
BONUS if you can ID the literary device in the bolded section, too!
setting
bonus = personification
This natural disaster can reach temperature as astoundingly high as 1472 degrees Fahrenheit
Wildfires
As they climbed the steep mountain slope, the hikers worried they would slip and fall on the unstable _________________.
scree
Despite the chaos around him, he remained passive, choosing not to intervene in the heated argument.
His passivity in the face of injustice was surprising, as he was usually very outspoken.
passive - adjective
passivity - noun
His ________ in the face of blatant injustice was both surprising and disappointing, as many had expected him to speak up and take a stand.
passivity
The oppressive heat was a relentless tyrant, ruling over the day with an intolerable grip, squeezing every ounce of energy from the weary travelers.
Metaphor
This natural disaster is a sudden displacement of the ocean, typically caused by either an earthquake, volcanic eruption, or meteorite impact.
Tsunami
The archaeologist uncovered a chunk of beautiful, golden amber, and he was delighted to find a perfectly _____________ mosquito at its center.
preserved
The proliferation of digital devices has transformed the way we communicate and access information.
The invasive species began to proliferate rapidly, overtaking the native plants and disrupting the ecosystem.
proliferation - noun
proliferate - verb
The complex and challenging ________ problem of urban congestion has long plagued city planners, defying numerous attempts at resolution.
intractable
The once-lush forest lay in ruins, the sound of chainsaws and heavy machinery echoing through the air as ancient trees were felled without mercy. The wildlife scattered in panic, their sanctuary destroyed by the relentless advance of human progress, leaving a barren wasteland in its wake.
character vs nature conflict
There are many reasons that trying to climb to the summit of Mt. Everest is dangerous. One reason is that you could die in this sudden and unpredictable natural disaster...
avalanche
The path up the mountain was treacherous, but the dangerous journey was worth it for the ____________________ who sighted a rare, high-altitude snow leopard.
naturalist
The night sky stretched out in an infinite expanse, dotted with countless stars that twinkled like diamonds.
The new technology infinitely improves the efficiency of our workflow.
infinite - adjective
infinitely - adjective
The ________ of the event left everyone in awe, as it was completely unique and unlike anything they had ever experienced before.
singularity
Amidst the relentless hum of the automated factory, Sarah's frustration grew as the malfunctioning robotic arm refused to heed her commands, its erratic movements threatening to derail the entire production line. She felt a surge of helplessness, realizing that her expertise was being challenged by the very technology designed to assist her.
character vs. technology conflict
What year did the Great Auk go extinct?
1844