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
brag (brag) verb page 603
Photograph of an adult fisherman with a fish
To brag means to show too much pride about doing something well. The fisherman bragged that he caught more fish than anyone else.		confident (kon-fi-dent) adjective page 603
Photograph of a runner crossing the finish line
A confident person is someone who is sure of his or her abilities. You have to be confident to succeed.		engage (en-gāj) verb page 603
Photograph of a group of teenage girls having a conversation
To engage means to take part or get involved in an activity. She engaged her friends in a conversation.
hesitant (hez-i-tent) adjective page 604
Photograph of children with a rabbit. One child pulls away, anxious about petting it.
A hesitant person feels unsure, or not ready to do something. The boy is hesistant to pet the rabbit. Related Word: hesitate		modest (mod-ist) adjective page 604
Photograph of a teenage girl with a trophy
A modest person does not act overly proud of an accomplishment or success. The girl was modest about winning first prize.		react (rē-akt) verb page 614
Photograph of two people at a movie with a look of fear on their faces
To react means to show your feelings about something. A person may react in fear to a scary movie.
Related Word: reaction
Synonym: respond
relative (rel-u-tiv) noun page 615
Photograph of a teenage girl and an older woman (her grandmother)
A relative is a family member. I love my relatives, and I am especially close with my grandmother.
Synonym: family		talented (tal-en-tid) adjective page 602
Photograph of two boys playing violinsA talented person is good at doing one or more activities. They are very talented musicians.
Base Word: talent

Practice the Words Work with a partner. Write a question using one Key Word. Answer your partner’s question. Use at least one Key Word in your answer. Keep going until you have used all of the words twice.


EXAMPLE: Are you hesitant to run in the race?
No, I feel confident I will win!