Work out a word, then check it

Grade 8 Reading Worksheet - Challenge Me

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   Use this

   “The council had little money and a leaking roof. Its choice was pragmatic. It patched the leak with plain tools and finished in one afternoon.”

2. 1.

   Luz reads the three sentences. What does pragmatic mean here?

   • quick to finish a job
   • dreamy and not realistic
   • practical and focused on what works
   • careful about saving money

3. Use this

   “The mansion's owner invited the whole town to a tour. The ostentatious entrance had gold doors and a fountain taller than a person. Guests were meant to be impressed.”

4. 2.

   Esme reads the three sentences. What does ostentatious mean here?

   • plain and modest
   • pleasing to the guests
   • made of costly materials
   • showy, meant to impress others
5. 3.

   “The old bridge had cracks that widened every year. The repair fund was empty. Its collapse was inevitable.” Noah reads the three sentences. What does inevitable mean here?

   • certain to happen
   • caused by missing money
   • slow and gradual
   • unlikely to happen
6. 4.

   “The two cousins exchanged one card each year. They had not spoken in a decade. Their bond was tenuous.” Pia reads the three sentences. What does tenuous mean here?

   • warm and friendly
   • strong and close
   • broken for good
   • very thin and weak

7. Use this

   “A long line of travelers waited at the dock. They may board the ferry when the crew opens the gate.” Dictionary entry (written by PencilGo): board: 1. (noun) a flat piece of wood; 2. (noun) a group of people who manage a company or a school; 3. (verb) to get on a ship, a train or a plane; 4. (noun) meals provided for a fee, as in room and board.

8. 5.

   Tala guessed that board means a flat piece of wood. Using both sentences and the entry, which sense does the text use?

   • a flat piece of wood
   • meals provided for a fee
   • a group of people who manage a school
   • to get on a ship, a train or a plane

9. Use this

   “After the hot hike, the scouts rested in the shade of a tree. Then they fan out across the meadow to search for the lost trail marker.” Dictionary entry (written by PencilGo): fan: 1. (noun) a machine or hand-held object that moves air to cool a person; 2. (noun) a person who strongly admires a sport, a team or a performer; 3. (verb) to spread out in the shape of an open fan; 4. (verb) to blow air on a flame to make it burn more.

10. 6.

    Zee guessed that fan means a machine that moves air to cool a person. Using both sentences and the entry, which sense does the text use?

    • to blow air on a flame to make it burn more
    • to spread out in a wide arc
    • a machine that moves air to cool a person
    • a person who strongly admires a team

11. Sentence 1

    The coach gave the team a stern warning before the final game. Sentence 2: Water crashed over the stern of the boat.

12. 7.

    Bo reads both sentences. Which pair of meanings fits stern in sentence 1, then in sentence 2?

    • strict and serious; the back end of a boat
    • kind and gentle; the back end of a boat
    • strict and serious; the front end of a boat
    • the back end of a boat; strict and serious

13. Sentence 1

    The villagers planted beans in a small plot beside the barn. Sentence 2: The friends uncovered a plot to surprise the mayor with a party.

14. 8.

    Kira reads both sentences. Which pair of meanings fits plot in sentence 1, then in sentence 2?

    • a small piece of ground; a secret plan
    • a secret plan; a small piece of ground
    • a small piece of ground; the events of a story
    • a graph that shows data; a secret plan
15. 9.

    The firm handshake showed the visitor's confidence. Sentence 2: The firm hired three new designers this month. Jun reads both sentences. Which pair of meanings fits firm in sentence 1, then in sentence 2?

    • hard and solid like stone; a business
    • a business; steady and strong
    • steady and strong; solid and hard to bend
    • steady and strong; a business

16. Sentence 1

    Please lean the ladder against the wall before climbing. Sentence 2: After the lean winter, the farm had little food left.

17. 10.

    Milo reads both sentences. Which pair of meanings fits lean in sentence 1, then in sentence 2?

    • short of supplies; to rest at a slant
    • to bend the body forward; short of supplies
    • to rest at a slant; thin, with little fat
    • to rest at a slant; short of supplies