STAAR English Vocabulary

At the opening ceremonies of the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, teams of elite athletes from around the world enter the stadium under the flag of their home nation. They represent their country's finest examples of physical prowess, endurance, and discipline. The athletes are ready to compete. Their faces beam with pride as they smile and wave to the world.

Which words from the paragraph help the reader understand the meaning of the word elite?

• country's finest examples

• are ready to compete

• enter the stadium

• beam with pride

"Everyone else ie enjoying the festival," I thought to myself as I wistfully watched excited festival attendees walk by the deli window en route to the parade.

What is the meaning of wistfully in the paragraph?

• with sadness

• with relief

• with anxiety

• with curiosity

Now, six years later, Michelle was attempting to capture a sunset for a local photography contest. She groaned as storm clouds rolled in before the sun had a chance to cast its vibrant colors across the sky.

Read the dictionary entry.

capture \'kap-cher\ v

1. to gain control by force 2. to hold someone's interest 3. to take an opponent's piece in a game 4. to preserve a mood, scene, or quality

Which definition best matches the way capture is used in the paragraph?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

Kyle and Kristin hauled me up and supported me on each side as I slipped and stumbled. After a while I was able to balance on my own. I figured out howt to push off and glide too. By the end of the day, I was able to make tiny, tentative turns on the ice.

The word tentative comes from the Latin word tentare which means "to feel or try". What does tentative mean in the paragraph?

• cautious

• exciting

• multiple

• enjoyable

One step --

firm, familiar,

the next step --

shaky, strange

As used in the stanza, what does the word strange mean?

• out of the ordinary

• not of one's own choice

• previously unknown

• unusual or striking in appearance

Springtime brings more hours of sunshine each day. The sun brings warmth and light , which makes the plants begin to grow again. Animals return from migration and come out of hibernation.

Read the dictionary entry below.

light

1. a pale, soft color

2. opposite of dark

3. lamp

4. set on fire

Which meaning of light was used in the paragraph?

• Meaning 1

• Meaning 2

• Meaning 3

• Meaning 4

The Latin word sidere means 'to sink'--this would help a reader to know that the word subside used in the sentence below means to--
The water will subside and the flooding stop if the rain lets up soon. 

• improve
• lessen
• react
• return

Using context clues, select the word that has the same meaning as the bold word. 
I felt a little apprehensive the first time I traveled alone. 

• tired 
• confident 
• worried
• thrilled

Using context clues, select the word that has the same meaning as the bold word. 
I was intrigued by the book and wanted to learn more. 

• interested
• bored
• angered 
• exhausted

The Latin word ob, meaning “in the way,” helps the reader understand that the word obstructs in the sentence below means —
The construction truck parked on the freeway often obstructs traffic during rush hour. 

• hinders
• reverses
• defeats
• lengthens