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
biologist (bī-ol-u-jist) noun page 358
Photograph of two scientists in white lab coats
A biologist is a person who studies living things. Biologists study how living things grow and where they are found.
Related Word: biology		expert (e-kspurt) noun page 360
Photograph of a wildlife ranger
An expert is a person who knows a lot about a subject. A ranger is an expert about wildlife in the area.		habitat (hab-i-tat) noun page 360
Photograph of a polar bear in its natural environment
A habitat is the place where a plant or an animal naturally lives. The habitat of polar bears is the cold Arctic.
increase (in-krēs) verb page 363
Photograph of a family showing mother, father, girl, and baby
To increase means to become larger in number or size. The size of my family increased when my brother was born.
Synonym: grow		poacher (pō-chur) noun page 360
Photograph of a “no hunting/trespassing” sign nailed to a tree
A poacher is a person who hunts plants or animals illegally. The poacher saw the “no hunting” sign but hunted animals anyway.		shrink (shringk) verb page 363
Photograph of a clear-cut forest
To shrink means to become smaller. The forests that animals need are shrinking as people cut down trees.
Past tense: shrank Past participle: shrunk
thrive (thrīv) verb page 363
Photograph of three potted plants with labels
To thrive means to grow strong and healthy. With lots of care, plants can thrive.		wildlife (wīld-līf) noun page 360
Photograph of a reindeer in its natural habitat
Wildlife means animals and plants that live freely outdoors without human care. Bears and moose are examples of wildlife.		Practice the Words Work with a partner. Write a question using two Key Words. Answer your partner’s question. Use at least one Key Word in your answer. Keep going until you have used all the words twice.
EXAMPLE:What is required for wildlife to thrive?
A safe and healthy habitat.