Context clues
After Lily left home for college, her dad tried to sell the computer games she had played when she was little. However, he soon discovered they were OBSOLETE, no one wanted them anymore.
The word OBSOLETE means:
OBSOLETE - out of date, no longer produced or used
The children danced to the music with merry JUBILATION. What does JUBILATION mean?
JUBILATION - delight, happiness
That's a NICE dress you wore yesterday. I had a NICE time at your birthday party.
Can you use a more specific word?
Examples:
That's a STYLISH dress you wore yesterday. I had a ENJOYABLE time at your birthday party.
Mary only wanted to help, but unfortunately, her speech had the opposite effect and only ESCALATED the argument. What does ESCALATED mean?
To ESCALATE something means to make it worse. So, to have ESCALATED the argument means to have made the argument worse.
Brendan is really good at math. (Although / For example), he aces all his tests and knows all his multiplication facts.
Brendan is really good at math. FOR EXAMPLE, he aces all his tests and knows all his multiplication facts.
Mrs. Jones was nervous about flying on an airplane. She had never flown before. Her daughter REASSURED her by telling her that planes are very safe. What does REASSURED mean?
REASSURED = comforted
The substitute teacher felt EXASPERATED because she could not get the students to stop talking and listen no matter what she did. What does EXASPERATED mean?
EXASPERATED = frustrated
I was VERY TIRED after gym class.
Can you use a more specific word?
I was EXHAUSTED after gym class.
People always comment about much Lucy RESEMBLES her mother. They have the same eyes, hair, and smile. What is a synonym for RESEMBLES?
To resemble means to "be, look, or act alike". Some synonyms for this use of the word would be "looks like" or "is like".
My sister has never had a male teacher. (However / More over), this year she has Mr. Smith.
My sister has never had a male teacher. HOWEVER, this year she has Mr. Smith.
The meadow was full of wildflowers. There were not many large plants, and trees were SPARSE. What does SPARSE mean?
SPARSE = few, not many
Arnold approached the snake CAUTIOUSLY. He thought it was dead, but he didn't know for sure. What does CAUTIOUSLY mean?
CAUTIOUSLY = carefully
I had a GOOD sandwich yesterday. It was really GOOD.
Can you use more specific vocabulary?
I had a DELICIOUS sandwich yesterday. It was really FLAVORFUL.
Joan decided to WITHDRAW her support for Calvin for class president when she learned that he had cheated on a test. What does WITHDRAW mean?
WITHDRAW means to remove, take away or take back.
I brought an umbrella to school today because I knew it was going to rain. (SIMILARLY / IN OTHER WORDS), I came prepared.
I brought an umbrella to school today because I knew it was going to rain. IN OTHER WORDS, I came prepared.
Tanya's mother drives slowly when she gets close to the school and is careful to watch for PEDESTRIANS. What would be a synonym for PEDESTRIANS?
PEDESTRIANS = people walking along a road
Susie could smell the AROMA of freshly baking bread as soon as she walked into the kitchen. What does AROMA mean?
AROMA = scent
Seeing my cousin again after a whole year apart made me so HAPPY! I could tell my cousin was HAPPY too.
Can you use more specific words?
Seeing my cousin again after a whole year apart made me so OVERJOYED! I could tell my cousin was ECSTATIC too.
Denise stared at the IMMENSE pile of laundry and wondered how her children could go through so many clothes in a week. What would be a synonym for IMMENSE?
Some synonyms for IMMENSE would be, "big, large, massive, huge, overwhelming, enormous".
(Even though / For example) I’ve never played video games before, my parents bought me a Play Station for my birthday.
EVEN THOUGH I’ve never played video games before, my parents bought me a Play Station for my birthday.
Adrian liked his new laptop computer because it was light and PORTABLE. He took it with him everywhere! What does PORTABLE mean?
PORTABLE = movable or easily carried
Luke was COMPENSATED for the yard work he had done over the summer. He spent the money he had earned on a new bike. What does COMPENSATED mean?
COMPENSATED = paid
We went to the mall yesterday. I GOT a new video game at Game Stop and my sister GOT a new phone.
Can you use more specific words?
We went to the mall yesterday. I PURCHASED a new video game at Game Stop and my sister ACQUIRED a new phone.
Tamara was shocked when she learned about the SENSELESS killing of thousands of buffaloes by settlers in the early 1800's. What does SENSELESS mean?
SENSELESS means without meaning; meaningless. To have no purpose.
My little brother can dress himself, (more over / although) he can’t tie his shoes yet.
My little brother can dress himself, ALTHOUGH he can’t tie his shoes yet.