Free Lesson of the Month September, 2009 Each month, Prestwick House shares one of our customer s favorite lessons with you for free. Every lesson is ready-to-use right from one of our most popular books for our newsletter subscribers. We re committed to providing teachers with the highest-quality teaching materials that are both ready-touse and educationally sound. To that end, we hope that the included lesson is useful in your classroom. Please feel free to share this lesson with all your colleagues. We hope that they find these classroomproven lessons to be as useful as you do. This month s Free Lesson is excerpted from our Standards-Based Vocabulary Study series, Book I. With this lesson, your students will learn to: Develop strategies to construct word meanings by using context clues Determine the meaning of unfamiliar or complex words through structural analysis, identifying roots, prefixes, and suffixes derived from Greek and Latin Use their knowledge of synonyms, antonyms, homographs, and homophones to uncover the meanings of unfamiliar words Understand and interpret the literal and figurative use of words Determine the meaning of words by recalling their literary, historical, or mythological origins Please feel free to browse through our complete list of Past Free Lessons or subscribe to the Prestwick House Footnotes Newsletter. Limited copyright release: All materials included in this file are copyright Prestwick House, Inc. 2009. You are granted limited rights to reproduce and distribute the enclosed materials for classroom use only. For any questions regarding this copyright release, please contact Prestwick House at 1-800-932-4593. Prestwick House PO Box 658 Clayton, DE 19938 1-800-932-4593 www.prestwickhouse.com
LESSON twenty-one
Lesson Twenty-One Exercise I DEFINITIONS Exercise I Definitions Write a brief definition for each of the following words, based on how the word is used in the sentence. 1. condone (kon d n ) The principal does not condone having cell phones in school, and he will give you a detention if you re caught with one. condone (v.) to accept, to approve of 2. feint (f nt) With a feint that fooled the other boxer into throwing a bad punch, Kevin was able to win the match. feint (n.) a dishonest action meant to mislead an opponent; (v.) to 3. flaw (flô) Bob s design for his new house had one flaw: he forgot to add windows. flaw (n.) a quality that makes something wrong or less than perfect 4. lethargic (le thär jik) It s easy to become lethargic on a rainy day and just lay on the couch napping or watching TV. lethargic (adj.) dull; sluggish; very drowsy 5. literate (lit ç rçt) Kelsey s grandfather wasn t literate, so he couldn t read a book or even write his name. literate (adj.) able to read and write 205
Standards-Based Vocabulary Study Book 1 6. mode (m d) It s best to set the camera on night mode when taking pictures in low light. 7. ravenous (ra vç nus) Julius had two helpings of potatoes at dinner because of his ravenous appetite. 8. root (r t) The root of Audrey s poor test grades is her lack of good study skills. 9. separate (se pç r t) Water and oil don t mix and will separate when you try to put them together. 10. symmetrical (si me tri kçl) A face may look symmetrical, but if you look at each side by itself, you will see that they don t match. 206
Lesson Twenty-One Exercise II FILL IN THE BLANKS Exercise II Fill in the blanks For the following paragraphs, fill in each blank with the vocabulary word that best fits. Use clues from the sentences to help you. Each vocabulary word will be used only once and may be used in a different form to fit the sentence. Word Bank flaw lethargic literate mode ravenous 1. James was the perfect candidate for the translating job, as he spoke several languages and was even in Chinese. His only was his lack of previous work experience. Therefore, despite having fantastic qualifications, he wasn t hired. 2. Some people do not make good leaders because they become for power. With their power, they can fire employees, both those the leaders think earn too much money and those who are and don t get their work done. Then, these greedy leaders make sure that their own paychecks keep getting bigger. This of running a company is getting to be more and more common, and companies should be very careful about who is put in charge. 207
Standards-Based Vocabulary Study Book 1 Word Bank condone feints root separated symmetrical 3. The main of the meerkat s home lies under the trunk of the large tree by the river. There, in a perfectly system of tunnels, where every curve is a mirror image of another curve, between twenty and thirty meerkats work together to keep each other safe. No meerkat would leaving a member of the group alone and in harm s way. It is truly amazing how they take care of each other. Meerkats protect the old and the young. They do not allow them to be from the rest of the colony for any reason. Usually, a colony chooses one meerkat to guard the entrance to the tunnels. This member must be quick and good at making to fool lions and other animals that hunt meerkats as prey. These truly unique animals are a great example of kindness, cooperation, and caring. 208
Lesson Twenty-One Exercise III SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS Exercise III Synonyms and Antonyms Synonyms For each sentence, fill in the blank with a word or phrase that has the same or nearly the same meaning as the vocabulary word in parentheses. 1. Because he practiced them often, Jimmy s (feints) fooled the other team s players and gave Jimmy an opening to score a goal. 2. When Charlie met with a tutor, he learned that the (root) of his problem was that he never learned to multiply and divide. 3. Carlos switched the video camera from record (mode) to play so he could review the events of the party. 4. A good cure for a (lethargic) child is a friend who wants to get up and play. 5. The vase had a small chip on the rim, but that (flaw) didn t keep me from buying it. Antonyms For each sentence, fill in the blank with a word or phrase that means the opposite or nearly the opposite of the vocabulary word. 1. Zach was told to the two different colored balls of clay, and once he did, he could not separate them again. 2. One parent may condone the use of text messaging, but another may it. 3. Many adults go back to school to become literate so they can get better jobs. 4. When the basketball team returned from the game, the players felt ravenous, but the cheerleaders who ate pizza before the game were. 5. In art class, Max learned both how to make a symmetrical painting and a(n) one. 209
Standards-Based Vocabulary Study Book 1 Exercise IV Complete the Sentence Complete each sentence in a way that shows you understand the meaning of the vocabulary word. 1. The football player is known for his ability to feint when he runs, which 2. It is very important to separate the dogs and cats when 3. We stayed away from the ravenous bear because 4. Rochelle s school does not condone the use of calculators when 5. A more literate society would 6. The designer said the symmetrical chairs beside the fireplace made 7. Rubin felt very lethargic when 8. The doctor looked for the root of the problem so that 9. Ben did not use the wood with the flaw in it because 10. Before the party, Angela went into cleaning mode so 210
Lesson Twenty-One Exercise V EXPLORING WORD MEANINGS Exercise V Exploring Word Meanings Homographs Each sentence contains a bolded vocabulary word and an underlined word that is spelled the same as the vocabulary word, but has a different meaning and may sound different. Write a definition for the underlined word based on how it is used in the sentence. 1. Adam vowed to root out the root of the clogged sink and clear it so that he did not have to call a plumber. Definition of root: to dig; search for 2. Victoria wanted to separate her jewelry into two separate groups: those made of gold and those made of silver. Definition of separate: unrelated, individual, divided Homographs Each sentence(s) contains a bolded vocabulary word and an underlined word that is spelled the same as the vocabulary word, but has a different meaning and may sound different. Write a definition for the underlined word based on how it is used in the sentence. 1. The mouse s feint, in which it began to run to the left but then ran to the right, directly over Aunt Gertrude s foot, made her faint right there in the kitchen. Definition of faint: pass out; lose consciousness 2. When Eli put the tractor in cutting mode, he accidentally mowed down his mother s flowers. Definition of mowed: cut down 211
Standards-Based Vocabulary Study Book 1 Exercise VI Roots, Prefixes, and suffixes Use the following information about roots, prefixes, and suffixes to answer the questions. Roots The Latin root litera/littera means letter. The Green root metr means measure. Prefixes sym means together. ad means towards. in means not. dia means through. 1. The word alliteration comes from the prefix ad, which means, and the root litera, which means. When a writer uses several words that begin with the same letter in a row, you have alliteration. For example, a famous tongue-twister begins, Sally sells seashells by the seashore. 2. Many countries use the system as an official standard of measurement. Fill in the blank by adding the root meaning to measure to the suffix ic. 3. The distance from one corner of a square to another is called the. You get this word when you add the prefix meaning through to the word meter. 4. When you add the prefix in to the root litera, it changes to il, and you get the word illiterate. Judging by the meaning of the prefix and the root, what does this word most likely mean? A) the same size B) not able to read letters or words C) measurement D) sounding the same 212
Lesson Twenty-One Exercise VII LITERARY TERMS 5. Circle the letter of the vocabulary word that best connects to the quotation. The butterfly s wings are exactly the same shape and size. A. mode B. literate C. symmetrical 6. Words from Mythology Greek mythology tells us of a river that ran through the underworld (the place where people went after death). The river was called the Lethe, and it was known as the River of Forgetfulness. Once a person touched its waters, he or she forgot everything. What do you think the word lethargic means in the following sentence? Sam s mother began to worry when her energetic son became lethargic and dull. Meaning: sleepy, listless Exercise VII literary TERMS Understatement Understatement is the downplaying of something for effect. For instance, if a weather reporter is broadcasting from the middle of a huge blizzard, but says there has been a snowflake or two, we know that she is using understatement. Who is using understatement in the following dialogue? Shipwrecked man: I ve been shipwrecked on this island for a week. I haven t had any food since I crashed here. Rescuer: You must be starving! You look like a stick. Shipwrecked man: I could use a bite. The shipwrecked man is using understatement. 213
LESSON twenty-one
Lesson Twenty-One Exercise I DEFINITIONS Exercise I Definitions Write a brief definition for each of the following words, based on how the word is used in the sentence. 1. condone (kon d n ) The principal does not condone having cell phones in school, and he will give you a detention if you re caught with one. condone (v.) to accept, to approve of 2. feint (f nt) With a feint that fooled the other boxer into throwing a bad punch, Kevin was able to win the match. feint (n.) a dishonest action meant to mislead an opponent; (v.) to make a misleading move 3. flaw (flô) Bob s design for his new house had one flaw: he forgot to add windows. flaw (n.) a quality that makes something wrong or less than perfect 4. lethargic (le thär jik) It s easy to become lethargic on a rainy day and just lay on the couch napping or watching TV. lethargic (adj.) dull; sluggish; very drowsy 5. literate (lit ç rçt) Kelsey s grandfather wasn t literate, so he couldn t read a book or even write his name. literate (adj.) able to read and write 205
Standards-Based Vocabulary Study Book 1 6. mode (m d) It s best to set the camera on night mode when taking pictures in low light. mode (n.) a method of doing something 7. ravenous (ra vç nus) Julius had two helpings of potatoes at dinner because of his ravenous appetite. ravenous (adj.) very hungry; greedy 8. root (r t) The root of Audrey s poor test grades is her lack of good study skills. root (n.) the origin or center; (v.) to dig up; remove completely 9. separate (se pç r t) Water and oil don t mix and will separate when you try to put them together. separate (v.) to divide; to pull apart; (se pç rçt) - (adj.) disconnected, unrelated; individual 10. symmetrical (si me tri kçl) A face may look symmetrical, but if you look at each side by itself, you will see that they don t match. symmetrical (adj.) having balance and similarity, especially in shape, size, and position 206
Lesson Twenty-One Exercise II FILL IN THE BLANKS Exercise II Fill in the blanks For the following paragraphs, fill in each blank with the vocabulary word that best fits. Use clues from the sentences to help you. Each vocabulary word will be used only once and may be used in a different form to fit the sentence. Word Bank flaw lethargic literate mode ravenous 1. James was the perfect candidate for the translating job, as he spoke several languages and was even literate in Chinese. His only flaw was his lack of previous work experience. Therefore, despite having fantastic qualifications, he wasn t hired. 2. Some people do not make good leaders because they become ravenous for power. With their power, they can fire employees, both those the leaders think earn too much money and those who are lethargic and don t get their work done. Then, these greedy leaders make sure that their own paychecks keep getting bigger. This mode of running a company is getting to be more and more common, and companies should be very careful about who is put in charge. 207
Standards-Based Vocabulary Study Book 1 Word Bank condone feints root separated symmetrical 3. The main root of the meerkat s home lies under the trunk of the large tree by the river. There, in a perfectly symmetrical system of tunnels, where every curve is a mirror image of another curve, between twenty and thirty meerkats work together to keep each other safe. No meerkat would condone leaving a member of the group alone and in harm s way. It is truly amazing how they take care of each other. Meerkats protect the old and the young. They do not allow them to be separated from the rest of the colony for any reason. Usually, a colony chooses one meerkat to guard the entrance to the tunnels. This member must be quick and good at making feints to fool lions and other animals that hunt meerkats as prey. These truly unique animals are a great example of kindness, cooperation, and caring. 208
Lesson Twenty-One Exercise III SYNONYMS AND ANTONYMS Exercise III Synonyms and Antonyms Synonyms For each sentence, fill in the blank with a word or phrase that has the same or nearly the same meaning as the vocabulary word in parentheses. 1. Because he practiced them often, Jimmy s (feints) tricks, bluffs, ploys fooled the other team s players and gave Jimmy an opening to score a goal. 2. When Charlie met with a tutor, he learned that the (root) center, basis, origin of his problem was that he never learned to multiply and divide. 3. Carlos switched the video camera from record (mode) method, state to play so he could review the events of the party. 4. A good cure for a (lethargic) listless, inactive child is a friend who wants to get up and play. 5. The vase had a small chip on the rim, but that (flaw) defect, blemish, imperfection didn t keep me from buying it. Antonyms For each sentence, fill in the blank with a word or phrase that means the opposite or nearly the opposite of the vocabulary word. 1. Zach was told to mix, blend, join the two different colored balls of clay, and once he did, he could not separate them again. 2. One parent may condone the use of text messaging, but another may disapprove of, prohibit, restrict it. 3. Many unschooled, unable to read and write adults go back to school to become literate so they can get better jobs. 4. When the basketball team returned from the game, the players felt ravenous, but the cheerleaders who ate pizza before the game were. full, not hungry 5. In art class, Max learned both how to make a symmetrical painting and a(n) uneven, irregular, balanced one. 209
Standards-Based Vocabulary Study Book 1 Exercise IV Complete the Sentence Complete each sentence in a way that shows you understand the meaning of the vocabulary word. 1. The football player is known for his ability to feint when he runs, which 2. It is very important to separate the dogs and cats when 3. We stayed away from the ravenous bear because 4. Rochelle s school does not condone the use of calculators when 5. A more literate society would 6. The designer said the symmetrical chairs beside the fireplace made 7. Rubin felt very lethargic when 8. The doctor looked for the root of the problem so that 9. Ben did not use the wood with the flaw in it because 10. Before the party, Angela went into cleaning mode so 210
Lesson Twenty-One Exercise V EXPLORING WORD MEANINGS Exercise V Exploring Word Meanings Homographs Each sentence contains a bolded vocabulary word and an underlined word that is spelled the same as the vocabulary word, but has a different meaning and may sound different. Write a definition for the underlined word based on how it is used in the sentence. 1. Adam vowed to root out the root of the clogged sink and clear it so that he did not have to call a plumber. Definition of root: to dig; search for 2. Victoria wanted to separate her jewelry into two separate groups: those made of gold and those made of silver. Definition of separate: unrelated, individual, divided Homographs Each sentence(s) contains a bolded vocabulary word and an underlined word that is spelled the same as the vocabulary word, but has a different meaning and may sound different. Write a definition for the underlined word based on how it is used in the sentence. 1. The mouse s feint, in which it began to run to the left but then ran to the right, directly over Aunt Gertrude s foot, made her faint right there in the kitchen. Definition of faint: pass out; lose consciousness 2. When Eli put the tractor in cutting mode, he accidentally mowed down his mother s flowers. Definition of mowed: cut down 211
Standards-Based Vocabulary Study Book 1 Exercise VI Roots, Prefixes, and suffixes Use the following information about roots, prefixes, and suffixes to answer the questions. Roots The Latin root litera/littera means letter. The Green root metr means measure. Prefixes sym means together. ad means towards. in means not. dia means through. 1. The word alliteration comes from the prefix ad, which means, towards and the root litera, which means. letter When a writer uses several words that begin with the same letter in a row, you have alliteration. For example, a famous tongue-twister begins, Sally sells seashells by the seashore. 2. Many countries use the metric system as an official standard of measurement. Fill in the blank by adding the root meaning to measure to the suffix ic. 3. The distance from one corner of a square to another is called the. diameter You get this word when you add the prefix meaning through to the word meter. 4. When you add the prefix in to the root litera, it changes to il, and you get the word illiterate. Judging by the meaning of the prefix and the root, what does this word most likely mean? A) the same size B) not able to read letters or words C) measurement D) sounding the same 212
Lesson Twenty-One Exercise VII LITERARY TERMS 5. Circle the letter of the vocabulary word that best connects to the quotation. The butterfly s wings are exactly the same shape and size. A. mode B. literate C. symmetrical 6. Words from Mythology Greek mythology tells us of a river that ran through the underworld (the place where people went after death). The river was called the Lethe, and it was known as the River of Forgetfulness. Once a person touched its waters, he or she forgot everything. What do you think the word lethargic means in the following sentence? Sam s mother began to worry when her energetic son became lethargic and dull. Meaning: sleepy, listless Exercise VII literary TERMS Understatement Understatement is the downplaying of something for effect. For instance, if a weather reporter is broadcasting from the middle of a huge blizzard, but says there has been a snowflake or two, we know that she is using understatement. Who is using understatement in the following dialogue? Shipwrecked man: I ve been shipwrecked on this island for a week. I haven t had any food since I crashed here. Rescuer: You must be starving! You look like a stick. Shipwrecked man: I could use a bite. The shipwrecked man is using understatement. 213