Knowledge Of Words Focus Area

Roots & Affixes

100

The affix that means "both, on both sides"

What is "ambi?"

200

The affix that means "air, atmosphere."

What is "aer?"

300

The root that means "live."

What is "viv?"

400

The root that means "same."

What is "hom?"

500

The root that means "draw, write."

What is "graph?"

Synonyms & Antonyms

100

A pyrometer measures extremely high temperatures.  What is a synonym for this device?

What is a thermometer?

200

My grandparents listen to their phonograph every Sunday night.  What is a synonym for this device?

What is a record player?

300

A xerophyte is a plant that grows in a dry climate.  What affix would be used to name a plant that grows in water / an antonym?

What is a hydrophyte?

400

What is an antonym for abnormal activity?

What is normal or typical activity?

500

What is the antonym for a professional?

What is an amateur?

Finding Context Clues

100

Read the passage and answer the question.

…all of North America will be treated to an eclipse of the sun. Anyone within the path of totality can see one of nature’s most awe-inspiring sights—a total solar eclipse. This path, where the moon will completely cover the sun and the sun's tenuous atmosphere—the corona—can be seen, will stretch from Lincoln Beach, Oregon to Charleston, South Carolina. Observers outside this path will still see a partial solar eclipse where the moon covers part of the sun's disk.

Based on the context, what is the meaning of the phrase path of totality?

What is the geographic reference point for viewing a total eclipse?

200

Read the passage and answer the question. 

Astronomers from the University of Washington have used data from the Kepler spacecraft to confirm that TRAPPIST-1h orbits its star every 19 days. At six million miles from its cool dwarf star, TRAPPIST-1h is located beyond the outer edge of the habitable zone, and is likely too cold for life as we know it.

Which word or phrase provides the best clue to the meaning of the word habitable?

What is "likely too cold for life as we know it?"

300

Read the passage and answer the question.

Astronomers from the University of Washington have used data from the Kepler spacecraft to confirm that TRAPPIST-1h orbits its star every 19 days. At six million miles from its cool dwarf star, TRAPPIST-1h is located beyond the outer edge of the habitable zone, and is likely too cold for life as we know it.

Based on the context, what is the meaning of the word habitable?

What is "livable?"

400

Read the passage and answer the question.

Corn is a food crop indigenous to the United States. Native Americans first introduced corn to European settlers, and the settlers brought it to the rest of the world.

Which word or phrase provides the best clue to the meaning of the word indigenous?

What is "Native Americans first introduced?"

500

Read the passage and answer the question.

Corn is a food crop indigenous to the United States. Native Americans first introduced corn to European settlers, and the settlers brought it to the rest of the world.

Based on the context, what is the meaning of the phrase indigenous to?

What is "originating in?" (to begin, the origin)

Using Context Clues

100

The wind gusted and thunder rumbled. Rayna knew a storm was imminent.

Based on the context, what is the meaning of the word imminent?

What is "looming?" (to emerge, appear, reveal itself)

200

The growth in population of coastal areas illustrates the importance of emergency planning and preparedness for areas that are more susceptible to inclement weather conditions.

What is the meaning of the word susceptible as used in the context of the passage?

What is "vulnerable?" (unsafe, unprotected)

300

Joel entered the science fair with a working robot. The judges thought his work was stupendous and awarded him first prize.

Which word is a synonym for stupendous as used in the context of the passage?

What is "remarkable?" (amazing, marvelous)

400

In 2005, the majority of young adults lived independently in their own household, which was the predominant living arrangement in 35 states.

What is the meaning of the word predominant as used in the context of the passage?

What is "primary?" (main, central, dominant)

500

 International Women’s Day was first observed in 1909, but it wasn’t until 1981 that Congress established National Women’s History Week to be commemorated the second week of March.

Based on the context of the passage, the word commemorated functions as which of the following: verb, noun, or adjective?

What is a "verb?"

Reference Sources

100

A reference source that groups words with similar meanings?

What is a "thesaurus?"

200

A reference source that gives basic information about a variety of topics, listed in alphabetical order?

What is an "encyclopedia?"

300

Read the thesaurus entry and answer the question. 

analyze 

verb: examine in detail

SYNONYMS ANTONYMS 

examine    forget

inspect    ignore

study    neglect

scrutinize

Which word best replaces the word analyze in the following sentence? 

The doctor needed to analyze the results of the test more thoroughly before making a diagnosis.

What is "examine in detail?"

400

Carla is reading an assignment in her Algebra textbook. She reads the following sentence: “The square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares on the sides.” Carla does not know what the word hypotenuse means.

Which reference material is most likely to help Carla determine the meaning of hypotenuse? (thesaurus, encyclopedia, glossary)

What is a "glossary?"

500

Jamal is writing a research paper about mammals that live in rainforest environments. He is trying to establish the precise features of a rainforest.

Which reference material is most likely to help Jamal establish the precise features of a rainforest? (atlas, encyclopedia, glossary)

What is an "encyclopedia?"