Meanings of Unknown and Multiple-Meaning Words and Phrases: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.4

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MAP 7th Grade Reading › Meanings of Unknown and Multiple-Meaning Words and Phrases: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.4

Questions 1 - 10
1

If someone did not do something that they should have done, you could say that that person has been ________.

derogatory

negligent

exonerated

deceitful

tentative

Explanation

Answer: Negligent.

2

If someone did not do something that they should have done, you could say that that person has been ________.

derogatory

negligent

exonerated

deceitful

tentative

Explanation

Answer: Negligent.

3

Read the sentences and determine the meaning of the underlined word using context clues or your prior knowledge.

My excitement for the business deal slowly began to abate when I heard the terms of the agreement. I would have to give up a lot of equity and wouldn’t get much in return.

What does the word abate mean in the context of these sentences?

Become less in amount or intensity

To increase gradually in quantity or number

Cause great suffering and distress

Move or cause to move back and forth

Explanation

The context clues of this sentence hint to a bad deal that would not increase someone’s excitement unless they were on the receiving end of it. Excitement is slowly abating, give up, wouldn’t get much in return are all clues that would lead the reader to understand the excitement is decreasing rather than increasing. The subject of the sentence isn’t in pain or suffering and their excitement is not moving back and forth.

4

Read the sentences and determine the meaning of the underlined word using context clues or your prior knowledge.

The man was despondent and sobbing as he packed up his grandfather’s belongings into cardboard boxes. He couldn’t believe he would never see such an important person in his life again. The pain was unbearable.

What does the word despondent mean in the context of this sentence?

Feeling or showing extreme discouragement, dejection, or depression

Feeling or showing hope for the future

Feeling or showing extreme hunger

Feeling or showing range and anger

Explanation

The context clues in this sentence: sobbing and unbearable pain describe the mental state of this man. He is distraught and upset and based on the context something unfortunate has happened to his grandfather. The sentence’s mood and tone because of the context lead the reader to understand his pain and lead to the correct answer.

5

Read the sentences and determine the meaning of the underlined word using context clues or your prior knowledge.

My excitement for the business deal slowly began to abate when I heard the terms of the agreement. I would have to give up a lot of equity and wouldn’t get much in return.

What does the word abate mean in the context of these sentences?

Become less in amount or intensity

To increase gradually in quantity or number

Cause great suffering and distress

Move or cause to move back and forth

Explanation

The context clues of this sentence hint to a bad deal that would not increase someone’s excitement unless they were on the receiving end of it. Excitement is slowly abating, give up, wouldn’t get much in return are all clues that would lead the reader to understand the excitement is decreasing rather than increasing. The subject of the sentence isn’t in pain or suffering and their excitement is not moving back and forth.

6

Read the sentences and determine the meaning of the underlined word using context clues or your prior knowledge.

The man was despondent and sobbing as he packed up his grandfather’s belongings into cardboard boxes. He couldn’t believe he would never see such an important person in his life again. The pain was unbearable.

What does the word despondent mean in the context of this sentence?

Feeling or showing extreme discouragement, dejection, or depression

Feeling or showing hope for the future

Feeling or showing extreme hunger

Feeling or showing range and anger

Explanation

The context clues in this sentence: sobbing and unbearable pain describe the mental state of this man. He is distraught and upset and based on the context something unfortunate has happened to his grandfather. The sentence’s mood and tone because of the context lead the reader to understand his pain and lead to the correct answer.

7

Someone who has been shown to not be at fault has been ____________.

admonished

exonerated

antagonized

denounced

excommunicated

Explanation

Exonerated means “absolved from blame or wrongdoing, particularly after careful consideration of the case.”

8

Someone who has been shown to not be at fault has been ____________.

admonished

exonerated

antagonized

denounced

excommunicated

Explanation

Exonerated means “absolved from blame or wrongdoing, particularly after careful consideration of the case.”

9

Read the following sentence and determine the meaning of the underlined word using context clues or your prior knowledge.

The emblem on his team jacket was proudly displayed across the entirety of his back as he marched with his school’s band in the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

What does the word emblem mean in the sentence above?

A device, symbol, or figure adopted and used as an identifying mark

To protect from decay or oblivion

Strong and sharp, as a taste or smell

Something to clasp or hold

Explanation

The word emblem is often described as the symbol or figure that represents a brand, school, group, etc.. The school may have their mascot across the back of the jackets or the acronym for the school. The context clues that help readers understand the word are: team, proudly displayed, school’s band, and he is in a parade. All of these are clues that he is happy to be showing off his school and has pride in what he is doing. The jackets are worn by all members of the group and seem to be a uniform based on the clues.

10

Read the following sentence and determine the meaning of the underlined word using context clues or your prior knowledge.

The emblem on his team jacket was proudly displayed across the entirety of his back as he marched with his school’s band in the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

What does the word emblem mean in the sentence above?

A device, symbol, or figure adopted and used as an identifying mark

To protect from decay or oblivion

Strong and sharp, as a taste or smell

Something to clasp or hold

Explanation

The word emblem is often described as the symbol or figure that represents a brand, school, group, etc.. The school may have their mascot across the back of the jackets or the acronym for the school. The context clues that help readers understand the word are: team, proudly displayed, school’s band, and he is in a parade. All of these are clues that he is happy to be showing off his school and has pride in what he is doing. The jackets are worn by all members of the group and seem to be a uniform based on the clues.

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