Word Deconstruction
The scientist studied plants and animals every day. What does the suffix -ist most nearly mean?
A. full of
B. one who studies or practices something
C. without
D. able to
B. one who studies or practices something
Although the rain continued, the team finished the game. What does the word “Although” tell the reader about the sentence?
A. The game ended early
B. The rain caused the game to stop
C. The rain did not stop the team from finishing
D. The team started playing after the rain
C. The rain did not stop the team from finishing
Choose the sentence that uses a linking verb correctly.
A. The children are playing outside.
B. The children play outside.
C. The children were happy after school.
D. The children run to the bus.
C. The children were happy after school.
The soup was scalding, just like boiling water. What does scalding mean in this sentence?
A. Cold B. Warm
C. Very hot
D. Sweet
C. Very hot
Which sentence shows the strongest meaning of how the rain fell?
A. The rain fell lightly on the sidewalk.
B. The rain fell steadily all afternoon.
C. The rain fell heavily during the storm.
D. The rain fell softly on the grass.
C. The rain fell heavily during the storm.
The two teams decided to cooperate to finish the project on time. Based on the meaning of the prefix co-, what does the word cooperate most nearly mean?
A. to work alone
B. to work together
C. to finish quickly
D. to compete against
B. to work together
A. Craig and I like to wake up early.
B. I like to wake up early and eat a healthy breakfast.
C. I like to wake up early, and my sister likes to go to bed early.
D. I like to wake up early in the morning to eat a healthy breakfast.
C. I like to wake up early, and my sister likes to go to bed early.
Choose the sentence that uses a helping verb correctly.
A. She is my best friend.
B. They are playing soccer after school.
C. He was tired after the game.
D. The flowers smell sweet.
B. They are playing soccer after school.
Liam moved gingerly across the icy sidewalk so he would not fall.
What does the word gingerly most nearly mean?
carefully
The puppy snatched the sock and ran across the room. Which word or phrase is closest in meaning to snatched as it is used in the sentence?
A. gently placed
B. slowly carried
C. grabbed quickly
D. carefully folded
C. grabbed quickly
The group decided to connect their ideas for the project.
Based on the meaning of the prefix con-, what does connect most nearly mean?
A. to take apart
B. to work alone
C. to join together
D. to place somewhere
C. to join together
Read the sentence.
The cake that my grandmother baked tasted delicious.
Which words tell which cake tasted delicious?
A. The cake
B. that my grandmother baked
C. tasted delicious
D. my grandmother
B. that my grandmother baked
Choose the sentence that uses a helping verb correctly.
A. She was excited about the trip.
B. She was packing her suitcase.
C. She seems nervous today.
D. She is tall for her age.
B. She was packing her suitcase.
The coach gave the team encouragement, reminding them that they could still win the game.
What does encouragement mean in this sentence?
A. a warning
B. a punishment
C. support that builds confidence
D. a rule to follow
C. support that builds confidence
The dog followed its owner _______.
Which adverb best shows that the dog followed with great attention and care?
A. loosely
B. lazily
C. closely
D. playfully
C. closely
The judge tried to be equable when listening to both sides.
Based on the meaning of the prefix equa-, what does equable most nearly mean?
A. loud
B. equal or fair
C. careful
D. together
B. equal or fair
Because the library was closed, we returned our books the next day.
What does the word “Because” tell the reader about the sentence?
A. It shows when the books were returned.
B. It explains why the books were returned the next day.
C. It describes where the books were returned.
D. It compares two different days.
B. It explains why the books were returned the next day.
Which word is the linking verb in the sentence?
The milk smells sour.
A. milk
B. smells
C. sour
D. the
B. smells
After years of practice, Maya became a mature athlete who handled wins and losses calmly.
What does the word mature mean in this sentence?
A. silly
B. noisy
C. grown-up and responsible
D. brand new
C. grown-up and responsible
Which pair of adverbs are closest in meaning?
A. quietly / noisily
B. carefully / cautiously
C. suddenly / slowly
D. rarely / always
B. carefully / cautiously
The map helped us locate the museum quickly.
Based on the meaning of the root loc, what does locate most nearly mean?
A. to explain
B. to move
C. to find a place
D. to work together
C. to find a place
The teacher explained the directions clearly, so the students knew what to do.
What does the word “so” show about the relationship between the two parts of the sentence?
A. The directions were confusing
B. The students explained the directions
C. One action caused the other
D. Two events happened at the same time
C. One action caused the other
Choose the sentence that uses a linking verb.
A. They are building a fort.
B. They were laughing loudly.
C. They are tired after practice.
D. They will build a fort.
C. They are tired after practice.
The papers were scattered across the floor after the strong wind blew through the room.
What does scattered most nearly mean?
A. stacked neatly
B. hidden away
C. spread out
D. glued together
C. spread out
The students finished their test quickly.
Which adverb could replace quickly and show a slightly slower pace?
A. instantly
B. rapidly
C. eventually
D. promptly
D. promptly