Context Clues
Grandpa didn’t know that Suzie was coming along on the fishing trip, and now he had to alter his plans. What does alter mean?
to change
A story about a family trying to stick together and survive through the Great Depression in the Midwest in the 1930s
Entertain
When Katie Clean invited Messy Missy to her house to work on their biology project, she had no idea what a visit from Messy Missy entailed. First of all, it was raining and Messy Missy neither bothered to take her boots off nor thoroughly wiped them on the doormat. Then Messy Missy ate a bag of hot chips on Katie Clean’s white bedspread without asking. Messy Missy is a sloppy eater too, so hot chip powder got all over the bedspread. Katie Clean tried to be polite and ignore Messy Missy’s sloppy behavior. But then Messy Missy threw her chip wrapper on the floor. Offended, Katie Clean pretended that she was sick and asked Messy Missy to leave. The next day Katie Clean asked the teacher if she could work by herself. After Katie explained the situation, the teacher allowed Katie to work alone. Messy Missy almost finished the assignment alone, but she spilled grape soda all over it and quit.
Respect other people's property
Jake is Cassie's older brother. One day they are walking home from school when a cold front rolls in and the temperature drops 20 degrees. Jake is dressed more appropriately for the weather than Cassie. He takes off his hooded sweatshirt and offers it to her. She gratefully accepts. Jake is now colder, but he is happier.
Kind, Considerate, loving
Trey looked out the window. The rain was still pouring down. He threw his baseball glove on the couch with a sigh. The thunder cracked and his phone dinged. Trey picked up the phone. It was a message from his cousin: The game is cancelled because of the weather. Trey didn't reply to the message. He threw the phone back on his bed and rubbed his temples. The rain pattered on the roof.
Gloomy, sad
When Kiki got a tiny cut on her pinky finger, she got all melodramatic and began sobbing and demanding a doctor. What does melodramatic mean?
over dramatic
A section in a history book describing the conditions and causes of the Great Depression in the Midwest in the 1930s
Inform
Money Mark was born rich. He never had to work a day in his life and he got everything handed to him on a silver platter. When he was six, Money Mark wanted to go to a basketball game. His father paid the starting five of the Bulls and Celtics to play a private game of Nerf-ball in Money Mark’s bedroom. When Money Mark turned thirteen, he wanted to start a band. His father hired the Mountain Boys to play with him every Saturday at the family’s private concert hall, though his family was never there. By the time he was twenty-one, Money Mark was bored with life. He was surrounded by a bunch of possessions that he didn’t appreciate. Nothing was new or exciting to him. Despite his vast wealth, Money Mark never found happiness. Penny Petal was born poor. Her family hardly had anything to eat, but they loved each other. Penny Petal appreciated every thing she got. When she was six, her father walked her around the United Center before the Bulls played the Celtics. She was excited by the crazy fans and feeling in the air. She looked forward to the day that she could see a real game. When she was thirteen, she learned to play the buckets. She was an extremely talented musician, a natural percussionist. Everyone on the block loved the rhythms that poured from her palms. By the time she was twenty-one, Penny was a successful businesswoman. Soon she had everything that she had ever dreamed of having. She loved to share her wealth and happiness with her family, who had supported her through the hard times.
Money doesn't buy happiness
Craig is a football player training over the summer for next season. The coach demands that all players come in at 6:00 AM and lift weights until 8:00 AM, when practice begins. Craig gets there at 5:00 AM to begin his training.
Dedicated, hardworking
Brett sweated in his chair. The clock in the classroom ticked loudly. Brett looked at the test question again. He had no clue what the answer was. His teacher paced around the room. Brett felt like the teacher was circling him, specifically him, not the rest of the class. "Remember, this test determines your future," the teacher said. Brett read the choices again but they all blurred into a meaningless word soup. He could not concentrate. The clock kept ticking, and the second hand sounded like a butcher's knife slamming down on a cutting board. "Time is running out," said the teacher. Brett's heart pounded.
Nervous, doomed, anxious
As Tommy walked home with the money from the church he had stolen in his pocket, powerful feelings of remorse bubbled in his stomach. What is the meaning of remorse?
Guilt
An article where the author argues that an iPhone is better than an Android phone
Persuade
Tammy and Sammy were both students in Mr. Morton’s reading class. Mr. Morton wasn’t too strict about deadlines, and Sammy took advantage of that. Sammy did all his homework in his other classes. But he never bothered to complete Mr. Morton’s reading assignments. He figured that he could complete them later. Tammy, on the other hand, completed each assignment Mr. Morton had assigned every night. She had to stay up a little later, but she knew that reading was the most important subject. She knew that if she learned to read well, then she could teach herself anything. So she always worked hard in her reading class. When the end of the quarter came, Tammy and Sammy had both planned on going to the Magic Castle amusement park. They were both so excited. But then Mr. Morton called Sammy’s mother to report Sammy's grade. She grounded Sammy and that weekend was horrible for him. He stayed up until 2:00 AM each night, yet he still couldn’t complete all the assignments. Meanwhile, Tammy had a great time eating pizza at Enchanted Castle. After that she stayed up late and watched movies. She enjoyed her weekend free of stress and pressure. At the end of the quarter, Sammy was lucky to squeak by with a C minus. Tammy earned an A. Yet, Sammy still hasn’t learned his lesson. He may not complete this activity either.
It is better to do things the right way the first time.
Anna volunteered to help Kylie clean her house. When Anna washed the mirrors, Kylie asked her if she used paper towels instead of newspapers. When Anna admitted that she had, Kylie asked her to redo them. Then, while Anna was sweeping, Kylie corrected her on her technique. "Don't just push the dirt around, Anna. SWEEP it," Kylie told Anna.
Bossy
Kiki the Cat licked her lips and stared at Bitty the Bird, who was singing a silly bird song in her cage. Cartoon noises played in the background as the children watched TV. Kiki tiptoed to the edge of the kitchen counter. Bitty kept singing, unaware of the creeping cat, but aware that she was protected by the metal birdcage. Kiki went for it. She sprang toward the birdcage, but as she did she slipped on some milk on the counter that the children had spilled. Kiki fell off the counter and landed in the trashcan. The lid closed on the milk-covered kitty. Laughter played on the television. Bitty kept whistling.
Humorous, silly, funny
Everyone else at the party wanted garbage pizza but Tim because he detested vegetables. What is the meaning of detested?
Hated
The story of a young athlete who takes steroids and his life and future fall apart
Entertain
Mr. Pig and Mr. Dog relaxing at the food court of the animal shopping mall. Mr. Pig was eating a huge feast of pizza and drinking a large jug of fruit punch. Mr. Dog was watching him eat. "Hey, Mr. Pig. If you give me a slice of your pizza, I'll let you have the next bone I find." Mr. Pig declined, even though it hurt his stomach to eat the last three slices of pizza. "I'm sorry, Mr. Dog," Mr. Pig said between grunts, "but I paid for this pizza and it's all mine." Mr. Dog sighed and waited for Mr. Pig to finish. Then they left the animal mall together. On the way out, a hunter spotted them and gave chase. Mr. Pig normally could have escaped the hunter, but he was weighed down by the large meal. Mr. Pig collapsed and the hunter seized him. Mr. Dog easily escaped. Later that night, Mr. Dog returned to the scene. He caught the scent of something delicious and began digging around a trashcan. He found a large ham bone with lots of meat and marrow still stuck to it. Mr. Dog happily ate.
It is better to share. Don't be greedy.
Corey came back from the bathroom and noticed that her rainbow pencil was missing. She looked around the room and saw that Beth was using a rainbow pencil. Corey started crying uncontrollably and ran out of the room.
Emotional
We thought the game was over. The buzzer rang and we thought that we had lost, but then the referee blew the whistle. A foul was called and now Derrick had a chance to win the game for us. He stepped up to the free-throw line. The stadium, though filled with people, was completely silent. Everyone was still. Derrick dribbled the ball a couple times. He squared up on the line. Sweat beaded on his forehead. All eyes were on Derrick.
Tense, dramatic, uneasy
My grandma’s demeanor was such that people often thought she was being rude when she was just being honest. What is the meaning of demeanor?
attitude
A medical report describing the effects of steroids on the human body
Inform
In his sophomore year of high school, basketball legend Michael Jordan tried out for the varsity basketball team. But at five feet and eleven inches tall, the coach believed that Jordan was too short to play. The coach cut Jordan from the team. Jordan didn’t let this obstacle defeat him. In fact, it pushed him to work even harder. He trained vigorously and grew another four inches the following summer. The next year, Jordan made the varsity squad. He averaged 25 points a game and went on to become one of the greatest basketball players in history.
Never Give Up
Kelvin found a wallet on the ground. He opened up the wallet and saw an old woman's ID card. Kelvin took the ID out of the wallet, walked to the woman's house, and returned the wallet to her.
Honest
Katie cut out the construction paper heart with great care. Her hand moved with precision. This was not going to be an ordinary Valentines Day card. Katie was going to make it special. She went over the penciled letters with her nicest pen. Classical music played in the background. Katie made fancy cursive letters. Slowly, gently, she pasted the lace to the edges of the heart. Her mom was going to love this card as much as Katie loved her. It was almost complete. Just a few more special touches to go.
Creative