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Exciting Vocabulary Development

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Exciting Vocabulary Development

Read the short story, then use clues, word parts and your own ideas to explore how vocabulary can make writing more vivid. Use New Zealand spelling.

The lighthouse signal

Mere followed the narrow track to the headland. Below, waves surged against the rocks, sending silver spray into the air. Across the bay, the lighthouse stood solitary beneath a bruised-purple sky. Its light had vanished. Mere felt a flicker of unease, but she pressed on. Near the cliff edge, she spotted a weather-beaten box wedged between two stones. Inside lay a note: “The lamp is not broken. Look beneath the keeper’s steps.” A sudden gust rattled the grass. Mere gripped the note, determined to discover who had left it.

1.Use the story to connect each bold word with its closest meaning.
  • surged
  • solitary
  • unease
  • weather-beaten
  • determined
  • alone; with nothing or no one nearby
  • firmly decided to do something
  • worn or damaged by exposure to weather
  • moved forward powerfully
  • worry or uncomfortable uncertainty
2.In the story, what does the phrase “a bruised-purple sky” suggest about the weather? Choose the best answer.
  • The sky is clear and sunny.
  • A storm may be coming.
  • The sun is setting on a cloudless day.
3.What clue in the story shows that the box had been exposed to rough weather for a long time? Write the clue and explain what it suggests.
4.Replace “Mere felt a flicker of unease” with the strongest suitable synonym: excitement, apprehension or delight. Write the replacement phrase.
5.The prefix un- often means “not”. What does unease mean in this story? Explain how the word part helps you work it out.
6.Why is surged more vivid than simply saying the waves “went” against the rocks?
7.Rewrite this sentence using a more precise verb and one vivid describing word: “The wind blew through the grass.” You may use a word from the story or choose your own.
8.Write one sentence about a mysterious place. Include solitary or weather-beaten and make the meaning clear from the sentence.
9.Write two or three sentences to continue Mere’s story. Include at least two of these words: surged, unease, determined, weather-beaten. Make sure the surrounding details help a reader understand each word.

2 printable pages

  • Exciting Vocabulary Development, page 1 of 2: The lighthouse signal

    Page 1

  • Exciting Vocabulary Development, page 2 of 2: 4. Replace “Mere felt a flicker of unease” with the strongest suitable synonym:…

    Page 2

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