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
adaptation (a-dap-tā-shun) noun page 101
Photograph of a cat arching its back as it hisses
An adaptation is a feature or behavior that helps animals survive. This cat’s arched back is an adaptation that protects it.		advantage (ad-van-tij) noun page 97
Photograph of a victorious athlete
When you have an advantage, you have a better chance to succeed than others. If you are stronger or faster, this is an advantage.		camouflage (kam-a-flazh) noun page 96
Photograph of a lioness hiding in tall grasses
Camouflage is a color or pattern that helps people or animals hide. Lions use camouflage to help them hide when they hunt.
disguise (dis-gīz) noun page 94
Photograph of a child wearing a nose and eyeglasses mask
When you wear a disguise, you try to look different from what you normally look like. A disguise can help people or animals hide.		predator (pre-du-tur) noun page 94
Photograph of a lioness chasing a group of impalas
A predator is an animal that eats other animals for food. Lions and tigers are predators.
Antonym: prey		prey (prā) noun page 102
Photograph of a grey mouse
Prey is an animal that other animals eat. A mouse is prey for a snake.
Antonym: predator
survive (sur-vīv) verb page 96
Photograph of snow and ice on a child's hat
When you survive, you stay alive. In cold weather, you need warm clothes to survive.		threat (thret) noun page 96
Photograph of grey thunderclouds over a field
A threat is a danger. Clouds show the threat of a storm.
Synonym: danger		Practice the Words Make an Example Web for each Key Word. Work with a partner to think of examples.
Illustration of an Example Web for Key Words
Example Web