Prepare to Read

Learn Key Vocabulary

Rate and Study the Words Rate how well you know each word. Then:

  • 1. Pronounce the word. Say it aloud several times. Spell it.

  • 2. Study the example.

  • 3. Tell more about the word.

  • 4. Practice it. Make the word your own.

Rating Scale

  • 1 = I have never seen this word before.

  • 2 = I am not sure of the word’s meaning.

  • 3 = I know this word and can teach the word’s meaning to someone else.

Key Words

backward (bak-wurd) adverb page 40concentrate (kon-sun-trāt) verb page 50convince (kun-vints) verb page 42
Photograph of a hand moving a chess piece on a chess boardPhotograph of a teenage boy at a library, reading intenselyPhotograph of a woman talking to a man who listens
To move backward is to move toward the back. You can move some chess pieces backward.
Antonym: forward		When you concentrate, you think about what you do. You have to concentrate when you read.
Synonym: think		When you convince someone, you cause the person to agree with you. The woman tries to convince her husband that she has a good idea.
destination (des-tu-nā-shun) noun page 47forward (for-wurd) adverb page 40future (fyū-chur) noun page 45
Photograph of a train conductor taking tickets from people about to board a trainPhotograph of a sign with the word “Zoo” and an upward pointing arrow on itPhotograph of the page of a desk calendar
A destination is a place you plan to go. The destination for our summer vacation is New York City.To move forward is to move ahead or to the front. A sign can tell you to move forward.
Antonym:		The future is a time that has not yet happened. Tomorrow is in the future.
Antonym: past
genius (jēn-yus) noun page 38machine (mu-shēn) noun page 39Practice the Words Make a Vocabulary Chart for the Key Words.
Wordbackward
Synonymreverse
Definitionto move toward the back
Sentence or PictureMom drives the car backward to park.

Vocabulary Chart

Photograph of Thomas Edison in his labPhotograph of a sewing machine
A genius is someone who is very smart. A genius named Thomas Edison invented the lightbulb.A machine is a tool made of parts that does some kind of work. You can make clothes with a sewing machine.