Exploring vocabulary - Muschla Gary R. 2012
Arizona
School words, II
Some words are used often in school.
1. atlas (n): a book of maps and charts
We used an atlas to find the states that border Iowa.
2. research (n): careful study or investigation of a topic; (v): to study or investigate a topic
Jill finished the research for her report online.
Charles will research Abraham Lincoln’s life.
3. library (n): a room or building that contains books for reading or borrowing
Charles borrows books from the library.
4. dictionary (n): a book containing an alphabetical list of words, their meanings, and their pronunciations
Kathy looks up the meanings of new words in a dictionary.
5. almanac (n): a book of facts published every year
An almanac is a good source of up-to-date information.
6. thesaurus (n): a book containing a list of words with their synonyms
David checked the thesaurus for synonyms for large.
7. define (v): to state the meaning of; to explain; to describe
We had to define five new words for science.
8. encyclopedia (n): a book (or set of books) containing information on a wide range of subjects
Maria checked the encyclopedia for information about Jupiter.
9. compare (v): to find similarities or differences
The reading assignment is to compare the traits of characters.
10. learn (v): to gain knowledge or skill
We will learn about the life cycles of frogs in science today.
Vocabulary tip
Learning vocabulary is a key to understanding any subject.
40.1 Arizona
The name Arizona comes from the Native American word arizonac. What is the meaning of arizonac?
To answer the question, find the word for each definition below. Choose your answers from the words after each definition. Write the letter of each answer in the space above its definition number at the bottom of the page. You will need to divide the letters into words.
1. to gain knowledge or skill _____
N. library
L. learn
T. define
2. a book containing a list of words with their synonyms _____
M. atlas
C. almanac
S. thesaurus
3. to state the meaning of; to explain; to describe _____
I. compare
P. learn
R. define
4. a room or building that contains books for reading or borrowing _____
E. library
U. atlas
Y. thesaurus
5. a book of facts published every year _____
O. atlas
I. almanac
A. thesaurus
6. to find similarities or differences _____
E. define
O. research
N. compare
7. a book (or set of books) containing information on a wide range of subjects _____
L. encyclopedia
S. atlas
M. thesaurus
8. a book containing an alphabetical list of words, their meanings, and their pronunciations _____
R. almanac
P. dictionary
U. atlas
9. a book of maps and charts _____
G. atlas
C. almanac
W. thesaurus
10. careful study or investigation of a topic _____
N. define
P. library
T. research