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
bravery (brā-vu-rē) noun page 38
Photograph of firefighters at a fire
Bravery means courage, or not being afraid. Firefighters show bravery when they put out fires.
Base Word: brave		brotherhood (bruth-ur-hood) noun page 42
Photograph of three boys in football uniforms
A brotherhood is a close group of people. A sports team can be a brotherhood.		decision (dē-si-zhun) noun page 42
Photograph of a boy holding two different shirts on hangers
A decision is a choice. You make a decision when you choose clothes to wear each day.
Base Word: decide
defend (dē-fend) verb page 38
Photograph of a mother polar bear with her cub
When you defend something, you protect it. A mother animal defends her young.
Synonyms: protect, guard
Antonym: attack		pride (prīd) noun page 38
Photograph of a teenage boy in a graduation cap and gown smiling
When you feel pride, you feel good about something you or someone else does. The boy felt pride when he graduated from high school.		society (so-sī-i-tē) noun page 47
Photograph of people at a public gathering
A society is a group of people who share beliefs and goals. In American society, we value public discussions of key issues.
symbol (sim-bul) noun page 38
Photograph of an American Bald Eagle
A symbol is an object that stands for something else. In the U.S., the Bald Eagle is a symbol of power.		warrior (wor-ē-yur) noun page 38
Photograph of a traditional African warrior
A warrior is someone who protects his people. Some warriors hunt animals for food.
Synonyms: hunter, fighter		Practice the Words With a partner, make an Expanded Meaning Map for each Key Word.
Expanded Meaning Map

Expanded Meaning Map