Response Skills: Responding Using Newly Acquired Vocabulary Accurately And Appropriately (TEKS.ELA.6.6.F)
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Texas 6th Grade ELA › Response Skills: Responding Using Newly Acquired Vocabulary Accurately And Appropriately (TEKS.ELA.6.6.F)
Every Saturday, our neighbor Mr. Lopez organizes a coat drive on the corner near the library. He sets up racks, sorts sizes, and greets each visitor with patience. People say his actions are "benevolent" because he gives time and warmth without expecting anything in return. Last winter, when a sudden cold snap hit, he stayed late to make sure every family left with something that fit. Watching him, I learned that kindness is not loud; it is steady and practical. Mr. Lopez even showed us how to patch sleeves, turning worn jackets into sturdy layers. His example challenged me to help in small, consistent ways.
Which student response uses the word "benevolent" correctly?
I was benevolenting my room before guests arrived.
The storm was benevolent, knocking out power for hours.
Our club made a benevolent gesture by tutoring kids for free.
The poster looked benevolent on the wall.
Explanation
C is correct: "benevolent" describes kind, charitable actions done without expecting reward. A is the wrong form (not a verb). B uses the word for something harmful. D is vague and misapplies the word to an object. Extension: Write your own sentence using "benevolent." Scaffold: The ___ was ___ because ___. Enrichment: Benevolent suggests a kind, caring disposition; generous focuses on giving more than expected. Someone can be generous once, but a benevolent person consistently acts with goodwill.
On my walk to school, I pass a storefront with dusty windows and a "For Lease" sign. The space has been "vacant" since the bakery closed, and the block feels quieter without the smell of cinnamon. Our social studies class discussed how empty buildings can change a neighborhood's mood. Some students imagined a comic shop there; others suggested a community art studio. The landlord recently painted the door and trimmed the weeds, small steps that make the spot feel hopeful again. I keep peeking inside, picturing bright shelves and people talking. A place doesn't have to stay silent forever; with care, it can buzz again.
Which student response uses the word "vacant" correctly?
The theater stayed vacant all summer while it was repaired.
He vacanted his backpack after lunch.
Her ideas were vacant with creativity.
I walked vacant across the yard, and the grass felt green.
Explanation
A is correct: "vacant" refers to a space or property with no occupants. B is wrong form/word. C misuses the adjective to describe ideas in a contradictory way. D uses the adjective incorrectly for a manner of walking. Extension: Write your own sentence using "vacant." Scaffold: The ___ was ___ because ___. Enrichment: Vacant often describes spaces or positions (a vacant lot, a vacant seat), while empty often describes containers or contents (an empty box).
Before the science fair, Tasha labeled every jar, wiped each lens, and taped her charts in perfect columns. Her approach was "meticulous," not rushed or careless. When a classmate bumped the table, she calmly realigned the beakers so the measurements stayed exact. Tasha even kept a checklist with tiny boxes to mark each task. Our teacher said her precision helped the audience trust her experiment. Later, Tasha explained that doing small steps carefully saves time in the end because you avoid mistakes. Watching her taught me that neatness isn't about being fussy; it's about making your thinking clear to others.
Which student response uses the word "meticulous" correctly?
The thunder was meticulous during the storm.
I felt meticulousness after the race.
The coach told us to meticulous our shoes.
Priya is meticulous about lining up her notes and checking each step.
Explanation
D is correct: "meticulous" means very precise and attentive to detail. A misapplies the word to weather. B uses the wrong form in an odd context. C incorrectly treats the adjective as a verb. Extension: Write your own sentence using "meticulous." Scaffold: The ___ was ___ because ___. Enrichment: Careful means taking caution to avoid mistakes; meticulous adds a sense of exactness and thorough, detailed attention.
At lunch, someone announced that the museum would let students in for free every day. I felt "skeptical," not because I dislike good news, but because the claim sounded too perfect. I asked where the information came from, and the speaker shrugged. Instead of repeating the rumor, I checked the museum's website and saw that free admission applies only on the first Friday of the month. Sharing accurate details kept us from being disappointed later. Being skeptical doesn't mean being negative; it means pausing to examine evidence so your decisions are sound.
Which student response uses the word "skeptical" correctly?
The leaf was skeptical as it fell from the tree.
I was skeptical of the online ad and checked two reviews before buying.
His skepticismed face hurried to class before the bell.
She looked at the cake skeptical, then said it tastes like chocolate.
Explanation
B is correct: "skeptical" means doubtful and seeking evidence before accepting a claim. A misapplies the word to an object. C uses an incorrect form. D has grammatical issues and unclear meaning. Extension: Write your own sentence using "skeptical." Scaffold: The ___ was ___ because ___. Enrichment: Skeptical means questioning until evidence appears; cynical suggests a negative belief that people are motivated by selfishness, even when evidence is positive.
Our student council planned a winter coat drive after the first cold front. Maya, who often volunteers at the shelter, suggested we set up a table near the cafeteria so donations would be convenient. Her "benevolent" attitude inspired others; she smiled, thanked each donor, and wrote encouraging notes to tuck in the pockets. When a classmate brought a coat with a torn sleeve, Maya calmly repaired it with a sewing kit she had brought, saying every small effort matters. By the afternoon, the boxes were brimming with warm jackets. The principal praised the group, but Maya focused on the families who would feel cared for.
Which student response uses the word "benevolent" correctly?
I was benevolent when I solved the puzzle quickly.
Our benevolent neighbor shoveled the sidewalk for the whole block after the storm.
We appreciated his benevolently when he yelled at us.
That movie was so benevolent!
Explanation
Correct: B shows kindness that helps others. A confuses benevolent with skillful. C uses the wrong form and contradicts the idea of kindness. D uses the word vaguely to rate a movie. Extension: Write your own sentence using "benevolent." Stems: "The ___ was benevolent because ___." "I showed benevolence when ___." Enrichment: Compare benevolent vs. generous. Generous focuses on how much someone gives; benevolent emphasizes goodwill and a desire to help, even in small, thoughtful ways.
During the community fair, our club reserved three rooms at the new recreation center. Two rooms buzzed with activity: one for arts and crafts, another for a robotics demo. The third room was completely "vacant" when we arrived, echoing with our footsteps. We posted a schedule outside and arranged chairs in a circle, hoping people would stop by for a storytelling hour. As the music from the gym grew louder, guests wandered in, relieved to find a quiet space. By the end, the once-empty room held families sharing folktales, and the custodian laughed that no corner of the center stayed empty for long.
Which student response uses the word "vacant" correctly?
He vacant his backpack before class.
The cat stared with a vacant sandwich.
The hallway moved vacantly with trophies.
The theater was vacant during the storm, with rows of empty seats.
Explanation
Correct: D uses vacant to mean unoccupied. A uses the wrong form. B is nonsense. C uses an incorrect form and illogical meaning. Extension: Write your own sentence using "vacant." Stems: "The ___ was vacant because ___." "We left the room vacant when ___." Enrichment: Compare vacant vs. empty. Vacant usually means a space or position is unoccupied; empty can also mean lacking contents (an empty box) or emotion (an empty promise).
Our science teacher asked us to design a simple water filter using sand, gravel, and cloth. Priya's approach was remarkably "meticulous." She labeled each jar, measured equal layers with a ruler, and kept a log of every trial. When murky water still leaked through, she adjusted the cloth and recorded the new result. Her careful notes made it easy to compare outcomes and decide which design worked best. By the final test, her filter produced the clearest water in our group. She explained that precision matters because small errors pile up, and being thorough saves time when you need to revise.
Which student response uses the word "meticulous" correctly?
Her meticulous notes included headings, dates, and precisely labeled diagrams.
The wind was meticulous and shook the trees.
He tried to meticulize his snack.
Meticulous! I yelled when I saw the surprise.
Explanation
Correct: A shows careful attention to detail. B misapplies the trait to wind. C uses a nonexistent form. D uses the word as an interjection. Extension: Write your own sentence using "meticulous." Stems: "Her ___ was meticulous because ___." "I showed meticulous care when ___." Enrichment: Compare meticulous vs. careful. Careful means cautious or avoiding mistakes; meticulous adds the idea of precise, thorough attention to tiny details.
Our class planted a small garden behind the library, but a week of unexpected heat wilted most leaves. Instead of giving up, we watered early, added mulch, and shaded the beds with cardboard. Ms. Ortiz called the plan "resilient" because it helped the plants bounce back after stress. New shoots appeared, and by Friday, the beans looked stronger than before. We realized resilience also applies to people: when our debate team lost a round, we watched the recording, practiced calmly, and improved. The garden became our reminder that setbacks aren't permanent if you respond with patience, strategy, and steady effort.
Which student response uses the word "resilient" correctly?
We resiliented the schedule to start earlier.
The cookie was resilient because it melted.
After failing the quiz, he studied and improved, showing a resilient attitude.
Resiliently of the day, we ate lunch.
Explanation
Correct: C shows bouncing back after difficulty. A is the wrong form. B describes the opposite of resilience. D is nonsense. Extension: Write your own sentence using "resilient." Stems: "The ___ was resilient because ___." "I showed resilience when ___." Enrichment: Compare resilient vs. tough. Tough suggests hardness or ability to endure; resilient emphasizes recovering and returning to form after stress.