L. 6.4 : MULTIPLE MEANING WORDS

L. 6.4 : MULTIPLE MEANING WORDS

MULTIPLE MEANING WORDS

• A multiple-meaning word is a word with more than one meaning.

   To determine which meaning is used, look at the nearby words, or context clues.

• Multiple-Meaning Words and Context Clues: excerpt from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

• Suddenly, she came upon a little three-legged table, all made of solid glass; there was nothing on it except a tiny golden key. Alice’s first thought was that it might belong to one of the doors.

  1 key (adj.) – of special importance.

  2 key (n.) – a small piece of metal used to unlock the door of a house, car, etc.

Open Ended

In our own words, what is a multiple meaning word?

Give a sentence using the word key to show definition 1.

1 key (adj.) – of special importance.

2 key (n.) – a small piece of metal used to unlock the door of a house, car, etc.

Multiple Choice

In which sentence does the word trace have the same meaning that it has in the passage?

A trace of anger was in the general's black eyes, but it was there for but a second; and he said, in his most pleasant manner, "Dear me, what a righteous young man you are! I assure you I do not do the thing you suggest.”

• Erica liked to trace over the fancy handwriting with colorful ink pens.

• The detective could trace the burglar’s footprints through the backyard.

• General Zaroff could not trace him there; he could not follow that complicated trail

  through the jungle after dark.

• He could smell the faint trace of her perfume as she walked out of the room.

Multiple Choice

In which sentence does the word alarm have the same meaning that it has in the passage?

The doctor glanced around the room in alarm. The boy did not look well; he had not eaten anything for days and the room itself was cold and unwelcoming. Dr. Craven slowly approached the bed.

• Shelly looked around in alarm when she heard the loud noise.

• A burglar alarm can be added to the new house.

• John was exhausted, and tried to ignore the alarm clock.

• The shrill of the fire alarm echoed through the school campus.

Multiple Choice

In which sentence does the word current have the same meaning that it has in the passage?

A water snake slipped along on the river, its head held up like a little periscope. The reeds jerked slightly in the current. The tree limbs rustled in response to the wind that blew across the water.

• The article in the newspaper was current, and the facts had been double-checked.

• Her current photo identification picture does not reflect her change in hair color.

• The fast current helped float the raft down the stream past the soldiers’ camp.

• The current high price of gasoline has made travel by car difficult to afford.

Multiple Choice

In which sentence does the word scale have a different meaning than it has in the passage below?

The farm was at the end of a graveled driveway which wound about expansive green lawns. At the rear, things were on even a more spacious scale than the front. There were great stables, guest cottages, green pastures, orchards, and berry patches.

• To try to save the rainforests, scientists monitor the environment at the global scale.

• Dr. Shea lifted the lamb on to the scale and was impressed with the young animal’s weight gain.

• The motorcycle company was rated at the top of the scale for excellent performance

  and speed.

• The hurricane warning defeated the sailor’s hopes of grand scale ocean navigation.

Multiple Choice

Select the best definition for the underlined word as it is used in the sentence below.

Purchase tickets to the concert in advance by calling the box office or reserving online.

• move forward to a new position

• before something happens or is expected to happen

Multiple Choice

Select the best definition for the underlined word as it is used in the sentence below.

Molly tried to wrench open the frozen car door.

• a violent twist or pull

• a tool used for gripping or turning nuts

  and bolts

Multiple Choice

In which sentence does the word harbor have the same meaning that it has in the passage below?

The trip across the ocean to America was long and difficult, but as we sailed by the Statue of Liberty, she seemed to be welcoming us into her harbor with open arms.

“Ah, the land of opportunity. What a wonderful site!” I thought to myself.

• Due to their actions, it was hard to believe they didn’t harbor fantasies of ruling the

  world.

• It is not healthy to harbor hate towards another person.

• Though the waves were high in the sheltered harbor, they hardly rocked the massive

  vessels.

• It is against the law to harbor a fugitive.

Multiple Select

In which sentences does the word reserve have the same meaning that it has in the passage?

The land surrounding the compound looked untouched. It was as if the entire place had been designated a nature or animal reserve, and disturbing the environment was forbidden.

• Please reserve the campsites for the summer Cub Scouts campout.

• The Florida nature reserve was the largest protected environment for migrating birds.

• Groups of four or more can reserve box seats in the new arena.

• In Africa, elephants are saved from ivory poachers by keeping them on a reserve.

Multiple Choice

In which sentence does the word cape have the same meaning that it has in the passage below?

It was getting late and Eva needed to get home. However, there were no carriages available so she would have to walk the two miles to her home. Hurriedly, she threw her cape around her shoulders, ran out into the frigid weather, and headed for home.

• The last time we went to the cape it was very cold and the seas were rough.

• Her cape is red with fine gold stitching.

• Cape Cod is located in Massachusetts.

• Our family goes to the cape every year for vacation.

Multiple Choice

In which sentence does the word head have a different meaning than it has in the passage?

“We can't do much, but we can make our little sacrifices, and ought to do it gladly. But I am afraid I don't." And Meg shook her head, as she thought regretfully of all the pretty things she wanted.

• Even though my grandpa is 96 years old, he still has a full head of hair.

• Our teacher told us to head toward the library.

• Jody was running, fell, and hit his head on the table.

• There was so much noise in the cafeteria that my head started to hurt.

Multiple Choice

In which sentence does the word stuff have a different meaning than it has in the passage?

Jackie liked collecting things but her mom was getting frustrated with how full Jackie’s room was becoming. “Jackie,” her mom said forcefully, “you need to think about getting rid of some of this stuff. You can’t even walk in here.”

• Jim had too much stuff in his desk and needed to clean it out.

• Stephen keeps all of his math stuff in one folder on his desktop.

• Lacey has so much stuff in her closet she had to give some of it away.

• The teacher told Jackson to hurry up so he had to stuff everything in his backpack.