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
campaign (kam-pān) noun page 534
Photograph of Presidential candidate, John F. Kennedy, shaking hands with people in a crowd
A campaign is a series of actions by an individual or a group working toward a goal. John F. Kennedy led a campaign to become president in 1960.		citizen (sit-u-zen) noun page 539
Photograph of people at a swearing-in ceremony for U.S. citizenship
A citizen is a person who was born in a country or becomes a member of a country. All American citizens share the same rights.
Related Word: citizenship		debate (di-bāt) verb page 539
Photograph of two students at the front of a classroom having a debate
To debate means to discuss different views of something. In a debate, two or more people tell why they have different opinions or ideas.
informed (in-formd) adjective page 536
Photograph of two people at a library with opened books in front of them
To be informed is to have knowledge. It is our duty to be informed about issues.
Related Word: information
Synonym: aware		persuade (pur-swād) verb page 538
Photograph of a young woman speaking into a microphone at a public place
To persuade means to try to make others agree. The student persuaded us by giving a strong speech with good ideas.
Synonym: convince		petition (pu-tish-un) noun page 534
Photograph of close up of a person signing a petition
A petition is a written request for a government or leader to take action. If enough people sign our petition, it may convince the mayor to do what we ask.
support (su-pōrt) noun page 534
Photograph of a teacher at a student's desk explaining something
To have support means that people help you. Students need the support of their teachers.
Related Word: supportive
Synonym: help		volunteer (vol-en-tēr) verb page 535
Photograph of young people working at a soup kitchen
To volunteer means to work without pay. One way I can help others is to volunteer at the soup kitchen.		Practice the Words Work with a partner to write four sentences. Use at least two Key Words in each sentence.
EXAMPLE:I volunteer at a park after school to support the community soccer program.