Dictionary and thesaurus skills

Grade 7 Reading Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   Dictionary entry

   Yield (YEELD)
   verb 1 to produce or supply.
   verb 2 to give way under pressure.
   verb 3 to give up control; to surrender.
   noun 4 the amount that is produced.
   Example: The old well yields little water.

2. 1.

   Kira reads: “The orchard's yield was lower after the drought.” Which numbered meaning fits yield?

   • the amount that is produced
   • a drop in rain that came with the drought
   • to give way under pressure
   • to produce or supply

3. Dictionary entry

   Mean (MEEN)
   verb 1 to intend.
   verb 2 to signify; to have as a meaning.
   adjective 3 unkind.
   noun 4 the average of a set of numbers.
   Example: What does this sign mean?

4. 2.

   Ari reads: “The mean of the five test scores was 84.” Which numbered meaning fits mean?

   • the total of the five test scores
   • to signify; to have as a meaning
   • the average of a set of numbers
   • unkind

5. Dictionary entry

   Mass (MAS)
   noun 1 a large amount or number of something.
   noun 2 (science) the amount of matter in an object.
   verb 3 to gather in a large group.
   Example: A mass of clouds moved over the hills.

6. 3.

   Luz reads in a science chapter: “On the Moon, a rock's mass stays the same, but its weight changes.” Which numbered meaning fits mass?

   • how heavy a rock feels on the Moon
   • a large amount or number of something
   • the amount of matter in an object
   • to gather in a large group

7. Dictionary entry

   Dictionary
   range (RAYNJ)
   noun 1 a line of mountains.
   noun 2 the distance or area something can reach.
   verb 3 to vary within limits.

   Glossary in a math textbook
   range: the difference between the greatest and least values in a set of data.

8. 4.

   Zee reads in a math lesson: “The range of the heights was 12 centimeters.” Which meaning fits range?

   • the distance or area that a thing is able to reach
   • the difference between the greatest and least values
   • to vary or change within certain limits
   • a long chain of connected mountains

9. Dictionary entry

   Dictionary
   volume (VAHL-yoom)
   noun 1 the loudness of a sound.
   noun 2 one book in a series.
   noun 3 a large amount of something.

   Glossary in a science textbook
   volume: the amount of space that an object takes up.

10. 5.

    Tala reads in a science chapter: “The volume of the block is 24 cubic centimeters.” Which meaning fits volume?

    • one book in a set of several books
    • a large amount or quantity of something
    • the amount of space that an object takes up
    • how loud or soft a sound happens to be

11. Dictionary entry

    Dictionary
    legend (LEJ-und)
    noun 1 a traditional story from long ago.
    noun 2 a very famous person.

    Glossary in a map-skills book
    legend: a box on a map that explains what its symbols mean.

12. 6.

    Milo reads in a map-skills book: “Use the legend to find which symbol marks a campground.” Which meaning fits legend?

    • a traditional story that is told from long ago
    • the name of the campground on the map
    • a very famous person admired by many
    • a box on a map that explains what its symbols mean

13. Dictionary entry

    Inscription (in-SKRIP-shun)
    noun words carved or written on a surface.
    Origin: Latin in- 'on' + scribere 'to write'.
    Example: The inscription on the base names the sculptor.

14. 7.

    Pia reads: “An inscription on the base names the sculptor.” How does the origin note help?

    • The origin note shows how to say the word aloud
    • In- (on) and scribere (to write) fit words on a surface
    • The origin shows that the statue is very old
    • The origin shows the words must be written in the Latin language

15. Dictionary entry

    Tripod (TRY-pahd)
    noun a stand or support with three legs.
    Origin: Greek tri- 'three' + pous 'foot'.
    Example: The camera sat on a tripod.

16. 8.

    Noah reads in a photography guide: “The camera sat on a tripod.” How does the origin note help?

    • Tri- (three) and pous (foot) fit a stand with three legs
    • The origin shows that a tripod holds a camera and nothing else
    • The origin note gives the part of speech
    • The origin shows that the camera has three lenses

17. Dictionary entry

    Dictate (DIK-tayt)
    verb 1 to say words aloud for someone to write down.
    verb 2 to give orders.
    Origin: Latin dictare, 'to say often'.
    Example: The doctor will dictate notes.

18. 9.

    Esme reads: “The doctor will dictate notes to an assistant.” Which meaning does the origin support best?

    • Meaning 2, because a doctor gives orders
    • Neither, because the origin matters for pronunciation, not for meaning
    • Meaning 1, because the origin ties the word to saying words aloud
    • Meaning 2, because the origin shows the doctor is the one in charge

19. Dictionary entry

    Bilingual (by-LING-gwul)
    adjective able to speak or use two languages.
    Origin: Latin bi- 'two' + lingua 'tongue, language'.
    Example: The school has a bilingual teacher.

20. 10.

    Ren reads a sign: “Bilingual books available.” What does the origin support?

    • Books that use two languages
    • Books that are written twice in a row
    • Books written by two authors
    • Books about the history of languages