Strong Adjectives
Identify the Part of Speech
The hike was hard because the trail was steep and covered with loose rocks.
To replace hard while keeping the sentence grammatically correct, what part of speech is needed?
What is...
Adjective
Identify the Part of Speech
The frightened rabbit went into the bushes when it heard a noise.
What part of speech must replace went?
What is...
a verb
Identify the Part of Speech
After missing breakfast and hiking all morning, Eli was hungry.
What part of speech is hungry?
What is...
an adjective
Identify the Part of Speech
The shopper was cheap and completely refused to spend money on necessary supplies.
What part of speech is completely?
What is...
An adverb
Identify the Part of Speech
Cole snuck into the dark cabin.
What part of speech is into?
What is...
A preposition
Find the Clue
After hiking for eight hours without resting, the campers faced an exhausting final climb.
Which phrase from the sentence provides the clearest context clue for exhausting?
What is...
"hiking for eight hours without resting"
Find the Clue
When the hawk appeared overhead, the rabbit darted into the bushes.
Which phrase from the sentence best explains why darted is an appropriate verb?
What is...
"the hawk appeared overhead"
Find the Clue
Maya was reluctant to enter the cave. She paused at the entrance and refused to move forward.
Which phrase provides the clearest context clue for reluctant?
What is...
"refused to move forward"
Find the Clue
Unlike his wasteful brother, Marcus was thrifty and carefully saved part of every paycheck.
Which phrase provides the clearest clue to the positive meaning of thrifty?
What is...
"carefully saved part of every paycheck"
Find the Clue
“This is exactly what I needed,” Cole muttered as rain poured through the hole in the roof.
Which detail is the clearest clue that Cole is being sarcastic?
What is...
"rain poured through the hole in the roof"
Choose the Precise Word
The cabin had broken windows, rotting boards, and holes in its roof. It looked _______.
A. ordinary
B. spacious
C. dilapidated
D. mysterious
What is...
C. Dilapidated
Choose the Precise Word
Rays of sunlight _______ through the heavy storm clouds.
A. went
B. appeared
C. pierced
D. traveled
What is...
C. Pierced
Choose the Precise Word
There were no houses, roads, or people anywhere on the island. The area was completely _______.
A. crowded
B. desolate
C. cheerful
D. ordinary
What is...
B. Desolate
Choose the Precise Word
A writer wants to describe someone who uses money carefully in a positive way. Which word should the writer choose?
A. stingy
B. greedy
C. cheap
D. thrifty
What is...
D. Thrifty
Choose the Precise Word
Which word best creates a frightened tone?
The boy _______ toward the shadowy cave.
A. marched
B. skipped
C. crept
D. raced
What is...
C. crept
Revise the Sentence
Revise the sentence by replacing both vague adjectives with precise adjectives:
Cole had a bad feeling when he saw the big waves approaching the island.
Possible answer:
Cole had an uneasy feeling when he saw the towering waves approaching the island.
Revise the Sentence
Revise the sentence by replacing both vague verbs with vivid verbs:
Cole went across the beach and looked at the Spirit Bear.
Possible answer:
Cole charged across the beach and glared at the Spirit Bear.
Revise the Sentence
Use the context clues to replace the vague word:
The river was bad; its violent current tossed branches around and pulled them underwater.
Possible Answer:
The river was turbulent; its violent current tossed branches around and pulled them underwater.
Revise the Sentence
Revise the sentence by replacing the vague word with a word that has a positive connotation:
Even after everyone else quit, Cole went on completing the task.
Possible answer:
Even after everyone else quit, Cole remained determined to complete the task.
Revise the Sentence
Revise the sentence to create a suspenseful tone. Include a vivid verb and a strong adjective or adverb.
The boy walked into the cave.
Possible sentence:
The frightened boy crept cautiously into the shadowy cave.
Explain the Effect
The exhausted hiker stared at the scary mountain rising above him.
Versus
The exhausted hiker stared at the jagged mountain rising above him.
Explain why jagged is more precise than scary. Explain its connotation, and discuss its effect.
Possible Answer:
Jagged is more precise than scary because it shows that the mountain was sharp and dangerous to climb, it has a stronger imagery than scary and increases the tension in the tone.
Explain the Effect
Choose the most effective verb:
The bear walked/stalked/wandered toward Cole.
Cite a context clue you could add, explain the verb’s connotation, and discuss its effect.
Possible Answer:
The bear stalked toward Cole, sneaking through the trees.
Explain the Effect
Peter was apprehensive about speaking during the Circle. He twisted his hands, avoided eye contact, and spoke in a trembling voice.
Explain why apprehensive is an effective word.
Possible Answer:
Apprehensive means nervous or fearful about something that may happen. The clues are “twisted his hands,” “avoided eye contact,” and “trembling voice.” The word has an anxious connotation and emphasizes Peter’s discomfort, creating a tense and uneasy tone.
Explain the Effect
Choose the most effective verb and why it is most effective:
Cole gazed/stared/glared at the Spirit Bear in amazement.
Possible Answer:
Gazed is the best choice. The context clue is “in amazement.” Gazed has a thoughtful or admiring connotation, while glared suggests anger. The word emphasizes Cole’s wonder and creates a reflective, respectful tone.
Explain the Effect
Compare the two sentences:
Cole entered the cabin.
Cole crept into the silent, shadow-filled cabin.
Explain why the second sentence is more effective.
Possible sentence:
Crept is the strongest word. The context clues “silent” and “shadow-filled” suggest that the cabin may be frightening or unsafe. Crept has a cautious, uneasy connotation. These choices create clearer imagery of Cole moving slowly through a dark setting and produce a suspenseful tone and more dramatic narrative voice.