Vocabulary Liza Kleinman
table of contents To the Student......................... v Part 1: Introduction.................................... 1 Part 2: Test-Taking Words............................ 9 Part 3: Practice Questions........................... 11 iii
PART 2 test-taking words Before you can answer a question, you need to understand it. Pay careful attention to the wording of the directions on tests so you ll know exactly what you need to do. Here is a list of some common test-taking words found in vocabulary questions. analogy a question that asks you to figure out the common relationship between two pairs of words, either by supplying one word pair and asking you to choose the second, or by supplying the first pair and one word from the second pair hoof : goat :: : dog A. shoe B. cat C. paw D. snout sentence completion a question that asks you to select the answer choice that best fills in a blank or blanks in a sentence We had expected the lecture to be dull, but instead it was quite. A. fascinating B. boring C. loud D. foreign synonym a word that is similar or the same in meaning to another word A synonym for small is little. antonym a word that is opposite in meaning to another word An antonym for small is large. homophones words that sound alike but have different meanings How much is the bus fare? The county fair will be in town next week. 2004 Walch Publishing 9 Test Time! Vocabulary, 5 6
homonyms words that look or sound alike but have different meanings This time of year, the leaves on the trees turn beautiful colors. Jim always leaves a party just before the fun really begins. context the other words and sentences that surround a word, giving clues to its meaning The meaning of the word start can vary greatly depending on the context in which it is used. As a verb, it can mean to begin, or it can mean to jump as though startled. We started working on our science fair projects in class today. Simon started when he heard the door slam. similar almost the same The word happy is similar in meaning to the word glad. opposite exactly different in meaning The word above is opposite in meaning to the word below. root the part of a word from which its meaning stems The root of the word malice is mal, which means bad. prefix a group of letters at the beginning of a word that affects the word s meaning The prefix pre means before, as in preschool and prepay. suffix a group of letters at the end of a word that affects the word s meaning The suffix less means without, as in doubtless and careless. process of elimination a means of finding the correct answer by taking away as many of the wrong choices as possible If you re not sure of the correct answer on a multiple choice question, you can narrow down the choices through process of elimination. 2004 Walch Publishing 10 Test Time! Vocabulary, 5 6
PART 3 practice questions SET 1 Choose the word or phrase that is closest in meaning to the underlined word. 1. The book is very helpful. It contains a wealth of information about American history. A. bit B. confusion C. payment D. large amount 2. Because there had been no rain for months, the land was cracked and parched. A. lonesome B. dry C. ugly 4. We had to cease playing outside once it got dark, because we could no longer see the ball. A. try B. undo C. stop D. lessen 5. Today s lesson will encompass material from math, reading, and science. A. include B. require C. remember D. save D. useful 3. The teacher hoped that the lessons he taught the students would endure throughout their lives. A. last B. make an effort C. change D. cause trouble GO ON 2004 Walch Publishing 11 Test Time! Vocabulary, 5 6
6. She asked for my candid opinion, but I didn t give it because I didn t want to hurt her feelings. A. rude B. honest C. shared D. best 9. After a full day of activities, it was good to finally have a respite in the evening. A. plan B. hobby C. rest D. storm 7. It turned out that the photo was a hoax created by taking a picture of a toy spaceship. A. trick B. problem C. proof D. plan 10. There was no sense of order in the classroom it was complete chaos. A. common sense B. silence C. wisdom D. confusion 8. Although we had thought our new puppy would be full of energy, he turned out to be quite docile. A. frantic B. mischievous C. harmless D. calm STOP 2004 Walch Publishing 12 Test Time! Vocabulary, 5 6
SET 2 Choose the word that correctly completes each sentence. 1. The store many different types of fruits and vegetables. A. cells B. sells C. seals D. sails 2. I can t you because the music is too loud! A. here B. hair C. hear D. heir 4. The children s father read a fairy to them before they went to sleep. A. tail B. tell C. tale D. tall 5. I would have gone to the movie, but I had much homework. A. toe B. to C. two D. too 3. If not going to be home by lunchtime, we ll call you. A. we re B. ware C. where D. were GO ON 2004 Walch Publishing 13 Test Time! Vocabulary, 5 6
6. Can you figure out what the answer is? A. rite B. right C. write D. ride 9. Are you you don t want to come to the park with us? A. shore B. chore C. sheer D. sure 7. It looks like we ll have to until the rain stops before we can go hiking. A. weight B. wait C. wade D. weighed 10. Please the door open on your way out. A. leave B. leaf C. sleeve D. lead 8. are barely any leaves left on the trees. A. They re B. Their C. There D. The STOP 2004 Walch Publishing 14 Test Time! Vocabulary, 5 6
SET 3 Choose the word that best completes each analogy. 1. hot : cold :: confusing : A. clear B. silly C. smart D. difficult E. warm 2. annoyed : furious :: glad : A. angry B. surprised C. thrilled 4. hungry : food :: tired : A. snack B. pillow C. snore D. sleep E. dream 5. spinach : vegetable :: apple : A. pie B. fruit C. orchard D. worm E. health D. sad E. bored 3. shoe : foot :: hat : A. scarf B. boot C. warmth D. sock E. head GO ON 2004 Walch Publishing 15 Test Time! Vocabulary, 5 6
6. light : heavy :: dim : A. large B. energetic C. bright D. small E. late 9. scissors : cut :: tape : A. correct B. clip C. paint D. stick E. change 7. boat : water :: sled : A. winter B. snow C. captain D. bicycle E. travel 10. teacher : instruct :: comedian : A. entertain B. learn C. print D. build E. chuckle 8. book : author :: song : A. music B. singer C. notes D. melody E. composer STOP 2004 Walch Publishing 16 Test Time! Vocabulary, 5 6