4th Grade ELA Flashcards: Determining Word Meanings

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Determining Word Meanings, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for 4th Grade ELA.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: In science text, what does the domain-specific word "habitat" mean?

Answer: The natural home where a plant or animal lives. Environment providing food, water, and shelter.

Flashcard 2: What does the general academic word "specific" mean in informational text?

Answer: Exact and clearly defined; not general. Opposite of vague or general information.

Flashcard 3: What does the general academic word "determine" mean in directions or explanations?

Answer: To find out or decide. To determine means to figure out or establish something definitively.

Flashcard 4: What does the domain-specific science word "habitat" mean?

Answer: The natural home of a plant or animal. The environment where organisms naturally live.

Flashcard 5: Which type of word is a general academic word: used across many subjects or used mainly in one subject?

Answer: Used across many subjects. General academic words appear in multiple disciplines, not just one.

Flashcard 6: Identify the meaning of "dense" in: "The forest was dense, so little light reached the ground."

Answer: Thick and closely packed. Context shows trees growing very close together, blocking sunlight.

Flashcard 7: What does the academic word "infer" mean when the author does not state something directly?

Answer: Figure out using clues and what you know. Making educated guesses based on context clues.

Flashcard 8: What does the general academic word "significant" mean in an informational passage?

Answer: Important; having a major effect or meaning. Something that matters or makes a difference.

Flashcard 9: What does the domain-specific science word "evaporation" mean?

Answer: Liquid changing into gas. Water molecules escape from liquid to vapor state.

Flashcard 10: In earth science text, what does the domain-specific word "erosion" mean?

Answer: Wearing away and moving of rock or soil by wind or water. Natural forces transport earth materials elsewhere.

Flashcard 11: Identify the meaning of "factor" in math: a number multiplied or a number added?

Answer: A number multiplied. Factors are numbers that multiply to give a product.

Flashcard 12: Which definition best matches the general academic word "analyze" in an informational text?

Answer: To examine parts closely to understand how they work together. Breaking down complex information into smaller parts helps understanding.

Flashcard 13: What does the domain-specific social studies word "government" mean?

Answer: The people and system that make and enforce laws. Governments create rules and ensure citizens follow them.

Flashcard 14: What does the academic word "evidence" mean in an informational text?

Answer: Facts or details that support a point. Evidence provides proof to back up claims or arguments.

Flashcard 15: Which meaning fits "draft" in "The author revised the draft": a current of air or a rough version?

Answer: A rough version. In writing, draft means preliminary version.

Flashcard 16: What does the general academic word "interpret" mean in a nonfiction text?

Answer: To explain the meaning of information. Interpretation involves understanding and explaining what something means.

Flashcard 17: What does the domain-specific social studies word "economy" mean?

Answer: How people make, buy, and sell goods and services. The system of production and trade in a society.

Flashcard 18: What does the general academic word "compare" mean in informational writing?

Answer: To tell how things are alike. Comparison identifies similarities between two or more things.

Flashcard 19: What does the domain-specific earth science word "erosion" mean?

Answer: Movement of soil or rock by wind, water, or ice. Natural forces gradually wear away and transport earth materials.

Flashcard 20: Which type of word is domain-specific: used across many subjects or mainly in one subject area?

Answer: Used mainly in one subject area. Domain-specific words are technical terms unique to particular fields.

Flashcard 21: What does the academic word "analyze" mean in an informational text?

Answer: Examine closely to understand parts and meaning. Breaking down complex information into smaller components for study.

Flashcard 22: What does the general academic word "evidence" mean in informational text?

Answer: Facts or details that support a claim or answer. Proof that backs up ideas or conclusions.

Flashcard 23: Identify the meaning of "function" in this sentence: "The function of the heart is to pump blood."

Answer: The job or purpose of something. Context shows the role something plays in a system.

Flashcard 24: What does the academic word "summarize" mean for a paragraph in an informational text?

Answer: State the main ideas briefly in your own words. Condensing information to key points without copying.

Flashcard 25: What does the academic word "compare" mean in an informational text?

Answer: Tell how things are alike and different. Comparing shows both similarities and differences between items.

Flashcard 26: Choose the meaning of "process" in this sentence: "The water cycle is a process that repeats."

Answer: A series of steps or actions that lead to a result. Context shows repeating sequence of events.

Flashcard 27: Identify the meaning of "process" in: "Photosynthesis is a process that helps plants make food."

Answer: A series of steps that happen in order. Photosynthesis involves multiple sequential steps to produce food.

Flashcard 28: What does the general academic word "compare" mean in a grade 4 informational text?

Answer: To tell how two or more things are alike. Focus on similarities between items when comparing.

Flashcard 29: What does the general academic word "evidence" mean in an informational passage?

Answer: Facts or details that support a point. Evidence provides proof or support for claims made in the text.

Flashcard 30: Identify the meaning of "properties" in this sentence: "Water has properties such as freezing and boiling points."

Answer: Characteristics or qualities that describe something. Context indicates measurable features of matter.

Flashcard 31: What does the general academic word "infer" mean when reading an article?

Answer: To figure out using clues and what you already know. Readers make logical guesses based on text clues and prior knowledge.

Flashcard 32: What does the general academic word "conclude" mean in a science or history text?

Answer: To decide after thinking about the evidence. Conclusions are final judgments formed after examining all information.

Flashcard 33: What does the general academic word "contrast" mean in an informational text?

Answer: To tell how two or more things are different. Focus on differences between items when contrasting.

Flashcard 34: What does the general academic phrase "in contrast" signal to the reader?

Answer: A difference is coming. This transition phrase introduces an opposing or different idea.

Flashcard 35: In science text, what does the domain-specific word "adaptation" mean?

Answer: A trait that helps an organism survive in its environment. Features evolved for survival in specific conditions.

Flashcard 36: Which clue helps define an unknown word most directly: a definition nearby or an interesting picture?

Answer: A definition nearby. Direct definitions explain words explicitly in text.

Flashcard 37: Which meaning fits "table" in "See Table 1 for results": a piece of furniture or an organized chart?

Answer: An organized chart. In texts, tables organize data in rows and columns.

Flashcard 38: Identify the meaning of "structure" in this sentence: "Plant structure includes roots, stems, and leaves."

Answer: The parts of something and how they are arranged. Context shows physical organization of plant parts.

Flashcard 39: In social studies text, what does the domain-specific word "migration" mean?

Answer: Movement of people or animals from one place to another. Large-scale relocation for various reasons.

Flashcard 40: Identify the meaning of "observe" in: "Scientists observe the ants to learn how they work together."

Answer: Watch carefully. Scientists study by watching closely to gather information.

Flashcard 41: What does the academic word "conclude" mean when reading an informational passage?

Answer: Decide based on evidence in the text. Drawing final judgments from textual evidence and reasoning.

Flashcard 42: Which definition best fits the general academic word "analyze" in informational text?

Answer: To examine closely to understand parts and meaning. Breaking down complex information into smaller parts helps understanding.

Flashcard 43: What is a "domain-specific" word in informational text?

Answer: A word mainly used in one subject area or field. Technical vocabulary unique to specific subjects.

Flashcard 44: Identify the meaning of "structure" in: "A plant's structure helps it stand upright and grow."

Answer: The way parts are built and arranged. Context shows how plant parts are organized to support growth.

Flashcard 45: What does the general academic word "infer" mean while reading nonfiction?

Answer: To figure out using clues from the text and what you know. Reading between the lines using context clues.

Flashcard 46: What does the academic word "contrast" mean in an informational text?

Answer: Tell how things are different. Contrasting focuses only on differences, not similarities.

Flashcard 47: What does the general academic phrase "as a result" signal to the reader?

Answer: A cause-and-effect result is coming. This phrase shows that what follows is an effect of what came before.

Flashcard 48: In social studies text, what does the domain-specific word "economy" mean?

Answer: How people make, buy, sell, and use goods and services. System of trade and money in a community.

Flashcard 49: What does the general academic word "conclude" mean when reading an informational passage?

Answer: To decide something based on evidence and reasoning. Drawing final thoughts from gathered information.

Flashcard 50: What does the domain-specific science word "condensation" mean?

Answer: Gas changing into liquid. Water vapor cools and forms liquid droplets.

Flashcard 51: Choose the meaning of "observe" in science: guess or watch carefully and notice details?

Answer: Watch carefully and notice details. Scientific observation requires careful attention.

Flashcard 52: What does the academic word "describe" mean in an informational text?

Answer: Tell details about how something looks or is. Providing specific characteristics and features.

Flashcard 53: What does the general academic word "contrast" mean in informational writing?

Answer: To tell how things are different. Contrasting highlights differences between items being discussed.

Flashcard 54: What does the domain-specific social studies word "region" mean?

Answer: An area with common features. Geographic areas sharing similar characteristics.

Flashcard 55: Choose the meaning of "region" in this sentence: "The Southwest is a dry region of the United States."

Answer: An area or part of a larger place. Context indicates geographic division with shared traits.