As our class tested water quality on the Guadalupe River, Ms. Reyes warned us to step carefully; the current tugged at our boots, and loose pebbles slid underfoot. We logged temperature, clarity, and the speed of leaves drifting past a bridge piling.

Dictionary entry—current (cur·rent) [KUR-uhnt], noun/adj; from Latin currere 'to run'

1. noun: the steady flow of water, air, or electricity in a particular direction
2. adj: happening or existing now; up-to-date
3. noun: a general tendency or course in public opinion or events

In our notes I wrote, "The current carried silt from the upstream bend." Back on the bank, I reread the definitions to confirm I had used the right one.

Which definition of current best fits how it is used in the passage?

Our student newspaper is covering the Texas State Fair this October. I promised to turn in a draft by Friday, knowing it would be revised after my editor's notes.

Dictionary entry—draft (draft) [draft], noun/verb; from Old English dragan 'to draw'

1. noun: a preliminary version of a piece of writing
2. noun: a current of cool air in a room or building
3. verb: to select people for military service
4. verb: to draw liquid from a cask

I interviewed a food vendor about new recipes and sketched an outline with photo ideas. Ms. Patel reminded us that clear structure matters, so I planned an introduction, three short sections, and a closing. Before I submit the draft, I'll check quotes and captions.

Which definition of draft best fits how it is used in the passage?

In the museum lab, we learned that scientists build a model before testing ideas. The fossil of a small raptor was too fragile to handle, so the team made a 3‑D model to predict how the joints moved.

Dictionary entry—model (mod·el) [MOD-uhl], noun/verb/adj; from Latin modulus 'measure'

1. noun: a small-scale or simplified representation used to explain or predict something
2. noun: a person employed to display clothing or products
3. verb: to shape or form something
4. adj: worthy of imitation; exemplary

Using careful measurements, the model helped us estimate stride length without touching the real bones. Our notes emphasized why a good model must match the evidence.

Which definition of model best fits how it is used in the passage?

At the town hall, the new principal stepped to the microphone to address parents in the auditorium about bus routes and lunch schedules.

Dictionary entry—address (ad·dress) [uh-DRESS], noun/verb; from Old French a(d)resser 'to direct'

1. verb: to speak to a person or group
2. noun: the location where someone lives or where mail is sent
3. verb: to deal with a problem or topic
4. noun: a formal speech

She began with safety, then answered questions. I noted the time and place but focused on how she addressed the crowd's worries.

In the sentence, "the new principal stepped to the microphone to address parents in the auditorium," which definition of address best fits?

Maya and Leo tracked how winds and river runoff shifted the current in a shallow bay near their town. When they set a bright float at the inlet, the current tugged it steadily toward the channel. Their notebook included a mini dictionary note:

cur·rent /KUR-ənt/ adj., n. [from Latin currere "to run," via Old French]

1. n. a steady movement of water or air in one direction.
2. adj. happening now; up-to-date.
3. n. the flow of electric charge.
4. n. a prevailing trend or opinion.

Back in class, their data showed the current grew stronger after a storm and that wind and river surges can redirect surface drift.

Which definition of current best fits its use in the sentence: "the current tugged it steadily toward the channel"?

At a public meeting in a West Texas town, students on a civics assignment heard ranchers and city officials talk about wells, irrigation, and conservation. The mayor said, "Water is the central issue for our community this year." A handout included a simplified dictionary entry:

is·sue /ISH-oo/ n., v. [from Latin exire "to go out"]

1. n. a topic or problem for debate or concern.
2. v. to give out or distribute.
3. v. to come out or flow.
4. n. the result of an action (formal).

Afterward, the class wrote letters proposing steps to address the issue without harming local farms.

Which definition of issue best fits its use in the sentence: "Water is the central issue for our community this year"?

During literacy night, our teacher asked me to conduct the interview with a visiting author while classmates handled seating and sound. To avoid confusion, the program listed this dictionary note:

con·duct /kun-DUKT, KON-dukt/ v., n. [from Latin conducere "to lead together"]

1. v. to lead or guide an activity, tour, or experiment.
2. v. to allow heat or electricity to pass.
3. n. a person's behavior.
4. v. to direct musicians in a performance.

I drafted questions about the writer's setting and theme, then practiced how to conduct the conversation so the audience could follow.

Which definition of conduct best fits its use in the sentence: "our teacher asked me to conduct the interview"?

Writing about energy work off the Texas coast, I described how technicians climb to a wide steel platform high above the waves to check turbines. Our sidebar included a dictionary clip:

plat·form /PLAT-form/ n. [from French plateforme "flat form"]

1. n. a raised, flat surface or structure used for work or access.
2. n. the stated beliefs and goals of a political group.
3. n. a computer system that supports software.
4. n. an opportunity to express one's views.

From the platform, crews can inspect bolts and blades safely, even when swells roll below.

Which definition of platform best fits its use in the sentence: "technicians climb to a wide steel platform high above the waves"?