Work out a word, then check it
Grade 8 Reading Worksheet - Challenge Me
Circle the best answer.
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.”
Luz reads the three sentences. What does pragmatic mean here?
- practical and focused on what works
- quick to finish a job
- dreamy and not realistic
- careful about saving money
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.”
Esme reads the three sentences. What does ostentatious mean here?
- pleasing to the guests
- showy, meant to impress others
- made of costly materials
- plain and modest
“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?
- unlikely to happen
- certain to happen
- slow and gradual
- caused by missing money
“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?
- very thin and weak
- broken for good
- warm and friendly
- strong and close
Use this
“The old dog was found wandering near the shore. All night, waves pound the rocks, and the dog barked at each crash.” Dictionary entry (written by PencilGo): pound: 1. (noun) a unit of weight; 2. (verb) to hit hard again and again; 3. (noun) a place where stray animals are kept; 4. (noun) a unit of money in the United Kingdom.
Ren guessed that pound means a place where stray animals are kept. Using both sentences and the entry, which sense does the text use?
- to hit hard again and again
- a place where stray animals are kept
- a unit of money in the United Kingdom
- a unit of weight
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.
Tala guessed that board means a flat piece of wood. Using both sentences and the entry, which sense does the text use?
- a group of people who manage a school
- a flat piece of wood
- to get on a ship, a train or a plane
- meals provided for a fee
Use this
“The violinist stepped to the front of the stage. Slowly, the violinist drew the bow across the strings.” Dictionary entry (written by PencilGo): bow: 1. (noun) the front part of a ship; 2. (noun) a knot of ribbon with two loops; 3. (verb) to bend forward at the waist to greet an audience; 4. (noun) a long, thin rod strung with hairs, drawn across the strings to play a violin or a cello.
Ari guessed that bow means to bend forward at the waist. Using both sentences and the entry, which sense does the text use?
- a rod with hairs drawn across the strings
- the front part of a ship
- a knot of ribbon with two loops
- to bend forward to greet an audience
Sentence 1
The coach gave the team a stern warning before the final game. Sentence 2: Water crashed over the stern of the boat.
Bo reads both sentences. Which pair of meanings fits stern in sentence 1, then in sentence 2?
- the back end of a boat; strict and serious
- strict and serious; the back end of a boat
- strict and serious; the front end of a boat
- kind and gentle; the back end of a boat
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
- steady and strong; a business
- steady and strong; solid and hard to bend
- a business; steady and strong
Sentence 1
Please lean the ladder against the wall before climbing. Sentence 2: After the lean winter, the farm had little food left.
Milo reads both sentences. Which pair of meanings fits lean in sentence 1, then in sentence 2?
- to rest at a slant; short of supplies
- to rest at a slant; thin, with little fat
- to bend the body forward; short of supplies
- short of supplies; to rest at a slant
