Use Grade-Appropriate Academic Vocabulary - 7th Grade Writing

What is a word's connotation?

The feelings or associations a word suggests. Connotation is the emotional meaning beyond literal definition.
Identify the vocabulary strategy that uses nearby words and sentences to infer meaning.

Context clues. Surrounding words help readers figure out unfamiliar vocabulary.
What is the meaning of the general academic word "contrast" in a text?

Show how two or more things are different. Highlighting differences helps readers understand distinctions.
What does it mean to acquire vocabulary, according to CCSS.L.7.6?

Learn new words and add them to your usable word knowledge. Building vocabulary means learning words and making them part of active use.
What are the four common types of context clues taught in middle school reading?

Definition, synonym, antonym, example. These clue types help readers decode unknown words systematically.
What does the instruction "use vocabulary accurately" require you to do in writing or speaking?

Use the word with the correct meaning, form, and context. Accuracy means matching the word's definition and appropriate usage.
What is the best reference to confirm pronunciation, part of speech, and meanings?

A dictionary entry. Dictionaries provide comprehensive word information.
Which context clue type uses "but" or "however" to show an opposite meaning?

Contrast (antonym) clue. Signal words indicate an opposing idea follows.
Choose the best meaning of "cite" in: "Cite two sources to support your claim."

Refer to a source as evidence. Academic writing requires proper source attribution.
What is the meaning of the domain-specific term "claim" in an argument?

A position or statement the writer tries to prove. Arguments begin with a clear, debatable assertion.
What is an affix, and what are its two main types?

A word part added to a base; prefix and suffix. Affixes modify word meanings when attached to roots.
Identify the domain-specific term for a science investigation step: "a testable possible answer."

hypothesis. Scientific term for an educated guess before testing.
Choose the word that best fits an objective tone: "The results were ___ by three different experiments."

verified. "Verified" maintains formal, scientific tone.
What is a word's denotation?

Its literal dictionary meaning. Denotation is the objective, factual definition.
Which option best describes a reliable way to confirm a word's meaning after using context clues?

Check a dictionary or glossary entry for the correct sense. Reference tools verify contextual guesses.
What is a context clue in a text?

A nearby word or detail that helps reveal a word's meaning. Context clues are hints in surrounding text that clarify meaning.
Which term names a word that has the opposite meaning of another word?

Antonym. Antonyms express contrasting or opposing meanings.
What is a root (base word) in vocabulary study?

The core part of a word that carries its main meaning. Roots contain the essential meaning before affixes are added.
What is a root word in vocabulary study?

A base meaning unit that prefixes and suffixes attach to. Root words carry core meaning before affixes change them.
Which context clue type uses "or" or parentheses to restate a word's meaning?

Restatement (synonym) clue. These clues provide an equivalent word or phrase.
Choose the best academic word to replace "shows": "The data shows a change over time."

Indicates. Formal vocabulary enhances academic precision.
What does the general academic word "infer" mean when reading a text?

Conclude something from evidence and clues, not stated directly. Readers must read between the lines to find implied meanings.
Choose the best academic word for "shows" in this sentence: "The data ___ a clear pattern."

indicates. "Indicates" is more precise and academic than "shows."
Identify the domain-specific meaning of "volume" in: "Find the volume of the prism."

The amount of space a 3D object occupies. Mathematical term differs from everyday usage.
Identify the domain-specific word most associated with literature analysis: theme, variable, quotient, habitat.

Theme. Literature classes focus on this central message concept.
What is connotation in vocabulary, and how is it different from denotation?

Connotation: feelings; denotation: dictionary definition. Connotation carries emotional weight; denotation is literal meaning.
Choose the word that best completes the sentence: "The author's main ___ is that schools need later start times."

claim. "Claim" is the academic term for an author's main argument.
What does the domain-specific term "connotation" mean?

The feelings or associations a word suggests. Words carry emotional weight beyond definitions.
What does the general academic word "interpret" mean when discussing a text?

Explain the meaning or significance of something. Readers construct meaning beyond literal words.
Identify the best strategy when context clues are not enough to define an unfamiliar word.

Consult a dictionary or glossary and confirm with the sentence. Reference tools provide precise definitions when context is insufficient.
Which term names a word that has similar meaning to another word?

Synonym. Synonyms share the same or nearly the same meaning.
What is the meaning of the domain-specific term "counterclaim"?

An opposing claim that challenges the main claim. Acknowledging opposition strengthens arguments.
What is a glossary, and when should you use it?

A list of subject terms; use it for domain-specific meanings. Glossaries define technical terms specific to that text.
What does the word part "-logy" mean in many domain-specific words (for example, biology)?

Study of. This suffix creates nouns naming fields of knowledge.
What does the general academic word "justify" mean in writing?

Support a claim with reasons and evidence. Writers must defend their positions with logical support.
What does the domain-specific term "evidence" mean in argumentative writing?

Facts, examples, or quotations that support a claim. Concrete proof strengthens argumentative writing.
What does the prefix "pre-" mean?

Before. This prefix indicates something comes earlier in time.
What does the word part "bio-" mean in many science words (for example, biography)?

Life. This Greek root appears in words related to living things.
Choose the best meaning of "analyze" in academic writing.

Examine parts closely to understand how they work together. Analysis involves breaking down complex ideas systematically.
Which context clue type gives a meaning by stating what something is not?

Contrast (antonym) clue. Opposites reveal meaning through comparison.
What is the meaning of the domain-specific term "theme" in literature?

A central message or insight about life in a text. Universal truths emerge from specific story details.
What is the meaning of the general academic word "analyze" in reading and writing?

Examine parts closely to understand how they work together. Breaking down complex ideas helps reveal relationships.
What does the suffix "-tion" usually signal about a word's part of speech?

It usually forms a noun. This suffix converts verbs into their noun forms.
Which context clue type uses a list of examples to help define an unknown word?

Example (illustration) clue. Specific instances clarify unfamiliar terms.
Choose the correct word for a neutral tone: "childish" or "youthful."

Youthful. "Childish" has negative connotation; "youthful" is neutral.
Which context clue type uses a meaning that is directly stated in the sentence?

Definition clue. The meaning is explicitly written in the same sentence.
Choose the best academic transition to signal contrast in a paragraph.

However. This transition word introduces opposing ideas effectively.
What is the difference between general academic vocabulary and domain-specific vocabulary?

Academic: used across subjects; domain-specific: tied to one field. Academic words appear in all subjects; domain-specific are unique to one subject.
Which context clue type uses a situation or story details to suggest a word's meaning?

Inference (example/situation) clue. Readers deduce meaning from surrounding context.
What does the domain-specific term "denotation" mean?

The literal, dictionary meaning of a word. Dictionary definitions provide objective meanings.
Choose the best meaning of "draft" in: "After feedback, she revised her draft."

A preliminary version of a piece of writing. Writers refine drafts through multiple revisions.
What does the general academic word "summarize" mean in ELA?

State the main ideas briefly, without unnecessary details. Condensing information captures essential points only.
What does the prefix "inter-" mean?

Between or among. This prefix shows connection or relationship between things.
Choose the best meaning of "contrast" in an informational text task.

Show differences between two or more things. Contrasting highlights how things differ from each other.
What does it mean to use vocabulary accurately in speaking and writing?

Use a word with the correct meaning, connotation, and context. Accurate use requires matching meaning, emotional tone, and situation.
What does the word part "pre-" mean in many academic words (for example, preview)?

Before. This prefix indicates something comes earlier or ahead.
Identify the best strategy when a word is important to comprehension but unclear in context.

Use context clues, then confirm with a dictionary or glossary. Try context first, then verify with reliable sources.
What is the meaning of the general academic word "evaluate" in an argument?

Judge quality or strength using reasons and evidence. Critical thinking requires assessing merit objectively.
Identify the domain-specific word most associated with science lab reports: hypothesis, chapter, dialogue, stanza.

Hypothesis. Scientists use this term for educated predictions.

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