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” → solid ground, not water or air
   • Latin “firm land” → a stubborn person who will not move
   • Latin “the state in which” → the way things are now
   • French “firm earth” → solid ground, not water or air
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 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.
   • The tailor was nice about measurements and rechecked every seam twice.
3. 3.

   The mayor's brief mea culpa admitted that the city had miscounted the ballots. Jun reads a sentence in a city-hall newsletter. Which origin → meaning today line fits “mea culpa”?

   • Latin “my fault” → a sharp accusation against others
   • French “false step” → an embarrassing social mistake
   • Latin “my fault” → an admission of one's own error
   • French “my fault” → an admission of one's own error
4. 4.

   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?

   • Arabic
   • Latin
   • Italian
   • French
5. 5.

   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”?

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

6. Read this first

   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.

7. 6.

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

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

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

   Check (noun, chess), 1300s. From Old French eschec, from Arabic shah, from Persian shah, “king.” Today: a threat to a king in chess.

9. 7.

   Pia reads the entry. From which language did English borrow “check” (as in chess) directly?

   • Persian
   • Arabic
   • Latin
   • Old French
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 “head to head” → a private talk between two people
    • French “head to head” → a fierce contest between two teams
    • Latin “for this” → made for one purpose
    • French “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 old man was weak and pitiable, unable to climb the stairs.
    • 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.

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?

    • Persian
    • French
    • Turkish
    • Dutch