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
astronaut (as-tre-not) noun page 278
Photograph of an astronaut in a spacesuit
An astronaut is a person trained to travel to space. Astronauts need special equipment to travel in space.		element (e-lu-munt) noun page 280
Photograph of a penny and pieces of copper next to it
An element is something that is part of a whole. Copper is one of the elements used to make pennies. Synonym: part		essential (i-sen-shul) adjective page 286
Photograph of foods from different food groups
Something that is essential is needed for survival. Food and water are essential for living beings. Synonym: necessary
experience (ik-spir-ē-ens) verb page 278
Photograph of people riding a roller coaster
To experience something is to go through it yourself. I want to experience a ride on a roller coaster.		process (prah-ses) noun page 280
Photograph of frame of a house under construction
A process is a series of actions that lead to a result. The process of building the house took a year.		routine (rü-tēn) noun page 288
Photograph of a girl brushing her teeth
A routine is a normal series of actions that you repeat. As part of my daily morning routine, I brush my teeth.
Synonym: habit
similarity (si-mu-lair-u-tē) noun page 278
Photograph of three different vehicles, each one is red in color
A similarity is something that makes things alike. The similarity between the cars is their color.
Related Word: similar
Antonym: difference		universe (yu-nu-vers) noun page 278
Illustration of a galaxy in spaceThe universe is everything that exists, including all of space. Our solar system is just one part of the whole universe.
Related Word: universal

Practice the Words Make an Expanded Meaning Map for each Key Word. Then compare your maps with a partner.
Illustration of an Expanded Meaning Map for use with Key Words
Expanded Meaning Map