6th grade vocabulary

Example

Read the question and choose. Which word has the most NEGATIVE connotation for an old building?

1. Words with similar meanings can carry positive, neutral or negative feelings.
2. So the answer is: decrepit

Answer: decrepit

Example

Choose the most precise word for the gap. The clue in brackets gives the general meaning. Her ___ argument persuaded the whole committee. (convincing)

1. Precise vocabulary makes meaning sharper and writing more powerful.
2. Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "Her compelling argument persuaded the whole committee."
3. So the answer is: compelling

Answer: compelling

Example

What does the Latin root "ject" mean? (as in inject, eject, project)

1. Knowing what a Latin root means helps you work out unfamiliar words that contain it.
2. ject means "throw", as in eject, project, reject, inject.
3. So the answer is: throw

Answer: throw

Example

What does the Greek root "micro" mean? (as in microwave, microchip, microorganism)

1. Knowing what a Greek root means helps you work out unfamiliar words that contain it.
2. micro means "small", as in microwave, microchip, microorganism.
3. So the answer is: small

Answer: small

Example

What does the prefix "semi" mean? (as in semifinal, semicolon, semicircle)

1. Knowing what a prefix means helps you work out unfamiliar words that contain it.
2. semi means "half", as in semicircle, semifinal, semicolon.
3. So the answer is: half

Answer: half

Example

Which word means "not obey" (or the opposite of "obey")?

1. dis- often reverses an action or quality: agree → disagree.
2. So the answer is: disobey

Answer: disobey

Example

What word class is this word? Use its suffix to decide. kindness

1. A suffix can change a word's class: kind (adjective) → kindness (noun) → kindly (adverb).
2. -ness turns an adjective (kind) into a noun.
3. So the answer is: noun

Answer: noun

Example

Use the context clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. The hikers were FAMISHED — extremely hungry — after the six-hour climb.

1. Writers often define or restate a hard word right beside it, using commas, dashes, brackets or phrases like 'or', 'that is' and 'which means'.
2. So the answer is: extremely hungry

Answer: extremely hungry

Example

Use the contrast or example clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. The old phone was OBSOLETE, but the new model had all the latest features.

1. Contrast clues show a word is the opposite of something nearby; example clues show what kind of thing it is.
2. So the answer is: out of date, no longer used

Answer: out of date, no longer used

Example

Does the word in capitals have a positive, neutral or negative connotation here? Our coach is DETERMINED to win the league.

1. Words with similar meanings can feel positive (slender), neutral (thin) or negative (scrawny).
2. So the answer is: positive

Answer: positive