Vocabulary Strategies -- Word Families

Grate means "to make into small pieces". What does grater mean in this sentence: She used the cheese grater to shred the cheese for the pizza.

• a tool for telling someone they did a good job

• a tool to cut up the cheese

• a tool for opening a fireplace

Custom means "made to order". What does customize mean in this sentence: Mom wanted to customize the cabinets in our kitchen.

• mom is going to buy new cabinets

• mom is going to make new cabinets in the kitchen

• mom wants the kitchen cabinets to be special and just the way she wants them

Disobey means "not to do what you are told". What does the word disobedient mean in this sentence: The disobedient student was sent to Mr. Long's office.

• the student was being rewarded by the principal

• the student had to leave for an appointment

• the student would not behave, so she was sent to the principal

Jewel means "a precious stone". What does the word jeweler mean in this sentence: The jeweler suggested a ruby ring for grandma's gift.

• a piece of precious jewelry

• a person who makes jewelry from precious stones

• a relative of grandma's who knows what she likes

Grace means "to be kind". What does the word gracious mean in this sentence: She was so gracious and helpful when we were lost.

• she waited for them to say thank you before she helped them

• she was also lost and worked together with them to find her way

• she was very kind and willing to help them find their way

Simple means "easy to understand". What does the word simplifies mean in this sentence: Our teacher helps me in math because she simplifies the problems.

• the act of making it easy to understand something

• the act of making something plain and boring

• the act of being a good teacher

Hinder means "to make something hard to do". What does the word hindrance mean in this sentence: The snow was a hindrance and kept us from going to school.

• something that goes behind something else

• something that keeps you from doing what you want to do

• something that causes the weather to change

A ware means "something that is sold in a store, like merchandise". What does the word warehouse mean in this sentence: Lowe's had to check the warehouse to see if the refrigerator we wanted was in stock.

• a place where refrigerators are stored

• a place where the store keeps all their delivery trucks

• a place where extra products and merchandise are stored

Proper means "the right way to do something". What does the word improper mean in this sentence: It is improper to yell in the classroom.

• the wrong thing to do in the classroom

• the right way to behave in the classroom

• the way everyone talks in the classroom

Injure means "to harm something or someone". What does the word injury mean in this sentence: His Injury happened when he was tackled in the endzone.

• a touchdown

• a fumble

• part of his body got hurt