Where a word came from; foreign phrases in English

Grade 9 Reading Worksheet

Circle the best answer.

1. 1.

   After nine rough days at sea, the passengers kissed the dock, glad to be on terra firma again. Ari reads a sentence in a ferry-line diary. Which origin → meaning today line fits “terra firma”?

   • Latin “firm land” → a stubborn person who will not move
   • Latin “firm land” → solid ground, not water or air
   • French “firm earth” → solid ground, not water or air
   • Latin “the state in which” → the way things are now
2. 2.

   Nice (adjective). 1300s: foolish, simple, from Latin nescius, “ignorant.” 1500s: fussy, careful about small points. Today: pleasant, kind. Bo reads the entry. Which sentence uses nice in its 1500s meaning?

   • The tailor was nice about measurements and rechecked every seam twice.
   • The neighbors were nice and brought soup to the whole family when the snow came.
   • The nice fabric was thin, nearly see-through, and light as air, perfect for summer.
   • A nice person would sign a long contract without reading a single page of it.
3. 3.

   Orange (noun), 1300s. From Old French orenge, from Arabic naranj, from Persian narang, from Sanskrit naranga. Today: a citrus fruit. Esme reads the entry. From which language did English borrow “orange” directly?

   • Sanskrit
   • Arabic
   • Spanish
   • Old French

4. Read this first

   Entry (written by PencilGo, after standard references)

   Awful (adjective). 1300s: filling with awe, inspiring deep respect. 1800s: terrible, very bad. Today: very bad; sometimes used for “very,” as in awful sorry.

5. 4.

   Kira reads the entry. Which sentence uses awful in its 1300s meaning?

   • Pilgrims gazed up at the awful majesty of the peak and fell silent.
   • The awful weather ruined the picnic and soaked the blankets and the food.
   • The awful crowd cheered with joy when the team arrived from the station.
   • The awful smell from the kitchen made the guests leave before the main course.
6. 5.

   Magazine (noun), 1500s. From French magasin, from Italian magazzino, from Arabic makhazin, “storehouses.” Today: a printed periodical. Luz reads the entry. From which language did English borrow “magazine” directly?

   • Italian
   • Latin
   • Arabic
   • French
7. 6.

   Long division was Pia's bête noire all through fifth grade, though it no longer bothered Pia. Milo reads a sentence in a classroom memoir. Which origin → meaning today line fits “bête noire”?

   • French “head to head” → a private talk between two
   • French “black beast” → the thing one dislikes or fears most
   • Latin “black beast” → the thing one dislikes or fears most
   • French “black beast” → a rare black animal kept in a zoo

8. Entry (written by PencilGo, after standard references)

   Villain (noun). 1300s: a farm worker on a manor, from Latin villa, “farm.” 1500s: a rude, low-bred person. Today: a wicked person, especially in a story.

9. 7.

   Noah reads the entry. Which sentence uses villain in its 1300s meaning?

   • The guests called the cook a villain for his rude manners.
   • The villain in the novel stole the king's jewels and fled.
   • The villain who tended the lord's sheep rose before dawn.
   • The villain who ruled the village from the castle taxed each farm.
10. 8.

    The two coaches settled the dispute in a quiet tête-à-tête behind the gym. Ren reads a sentence in a coaching newsletter. Which origin → meaning today line fits “tête-à-tête”?

    • Latin “for this” → made for one purpose
    • French “head to head” → a fierce contest between two teams
    • French “head to head” → a private talk between two people
    • Latin “head to head” → a private talk between two people
11. 9.

    Silly (adjective). Before 1200: happy, blessed. 1300s: innocent, harmless. 1500s: weak, pitiable. Today: foolish. Tala reads the entry. Which sentence uses silly in its 1300s meaning?

    • The silly lamb followed the shepherd without fear, trusting every step.
    • It was silly to leave the umbrella at home on a day with storm warnings.
    • The silly knight rode out, proud and fearless, to meet the dragon.
    • The silly old man was weak and pitiable, unable to climb the stairs.

12. Entry (written by PencilGo, after standard references)

    Tulip (noun), 1500s. From French tulipe, from Ottoman Turkish tülbent, “turban,” from Persian dulband, “turban.” The flower's shape was thought to resemble a turban. Today: a spring flower.

13. 10.

    Zee reads the entry. From which language did English borrow “tulip” directly?

    • Turkish
    • French
    • Dutch
    • Persian