Prepare to Read

Learn Key Vocabulary

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.

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.

Key Words
argument (ar-gyu-munt)
noun page 482
Photograph of two teenage boys arguing
An argument is a strong disagreement. My friend and I got into an argument because he was late.
Related Word: argue		complaint (kum-plānt) noun page 484
Illustration of a letter of complaint to an editor
To give a complaint is to tell others that you are unhappy about something. I sent my complaint in a letter to the editor.
Antonym: praise		damage (dam-ij) noun page 482
Photograph of glass with a hole in it
Damage means harm that is done. I threw a baseball, which caused damage to the window.
Antonym: repair
furious (fyur-ē-us) adjective page 482
Photograph of a man behind a steering wheel with his hands up looking angry
Someone who is furious is very angry. The man was furious when his car was hit.
Related Word: fury
Synonym: angry		inevitable (i-nev-i-tu-bul) adjective page 486
Photograph of a boy watching a ball descending
Something that is inevitable will happen no matter what. If you throw a ball up, it is inevitable that it will come down.		mercy (mur-sē) noun page 484
Photograph: spilled food on a floor. A woman comforts a girl kneeling by the food.
Mercy is kindness to someone in trouble. My mom showed mercy when I spilled food on the floor. Related Word: merciful
plead (plēd) verb page 483
Photograph of a man giving money to teenagers who have their hands out
To plead means to strongly ask for something. Children might plead for a larger allowance.		relent (ri-lent) verb page 483
Photograph of a person walking through a flooded town
To relent means to stop. After flooding the town, the rain finally relented.		Practice the Words Make a Word Map for each Key Word. Then compare your maps with a partner.
Illustration of a Word Map used for Key Words
Word Map