Writers choice vocabulary and spelling strategies and practice grade 9

Using Words in Sentences Complete each sentence with a word from the list.. Completing Sentences Complete each sentence below so that the meaning of the underlined word is clear.. Using

Strategies and Practice

Grade 9

A Letter from Sandra Cisneros 1

Chavez and the Quest for Human Interest Stories 2

Ross Scripts Big 3

Bessone Profiles a Winner 4

Winckler Tracks Cacti 5

At the Movies 6

Literature Vocabulary I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings 7

The Kitchen God’s Wife 8

The Crystal Cave 9

How the García Girls Lost Their Accents 10

Of Wolves and Men 11

“Skeletons in the Attic” 12

Learning from Context Definition 13

Example 14

Comparison 15

Contrast 16

Cause and Effect 17

Word Roots and Compounds Word Roots and Base Words 18

Word Roots I 19

Word Roots II 20

Word Roots III 21

Compound Words 22

Prefixes Prefixes Meaning “Not” 23

Prefixes That Tell When 24

Prefixes That Tell Where 25

Prefixes That Tell How Much or How Well 26

Suffixes Nouns 27

Adjectives 28

Verbs 29

Suffix Patterns II [-ify, -ification, -ifier] 31

Suffix Patterns III [-ate, -ator, -ation] 32

Suffix Patterns IV [-er, -ation] 33

Suffix Patterns V [-ion, -ive] 34

Using the Dictionary and Thesaurus Using a Dictionary: Multiple Meanings 35

Using a Thesaurus: Synonyms 36

Using a Dictionary: Word Origins 37

Using Spelling Rules Spelling ie and ei 38

Spelling -cede, -ceed, and -sede 39

Spelling Unstressed Vowels 40

Adding Prefixes 41

Suffixes and the Silent e 42

Suffixes and the Final y 43

Doubling the Final Consonant 44

Adding -ly 45

Adding -ness 46

Forming Compound Words 47

Forming Plurals: General Rules 48

Forming Plurals: Special Rules 49

Mastering Troublesome Words Words Easily Confused 50

Frequently Misspelled Words I 51

Frequently Misspelled Words II 52

Answers 53

Use with Writing in the Real World, pp 4–7.

■ A Relating Words to Concepts

■ B Using Words in Sentences

Complete each sentence with a word from the list You may need to change the form ofthe word

face-to-face conversation in a comfortable setting

characters were

Listed below are some of the words that are important for understanding Writing in the Real Worldand elements of letter writing Say each word to yourself, and then answer the questions that follow.rant salutation meanderings rave intimidatingmeditating visualize recipient stationery shorthand

Key Information

Use with Writing in the Real World, pp 54–57.

■ A Exploring Word Meanings

■ B Inferring Meaning from Examples

Write a word from the list that matches each example below

1. the great-grandparents of your great-grandparents; prehistoric humans

2. the time period between the birth of parents and the birth of their offspring

3. assigned

4. television reporter; magazine writer; newspaper reporter

5. a regular drum beat

6. the final draft manuscript for a feature article; script read by a

news announcer

7. a history of a family; an account of all the people descended from

Rufus Putnam

8. using sentences of all the same length in an article; using the same words too

many times in an essay

9. an incident on a bus; a story about an embarrasing experience

10. a blood relative from a later generation

The list below includes words that are important for understanding Writing in the Real World and

elements of feature writing Say each word to yourself, and then answer the questions that follow

anecdote descendant allotted rhythm journalistancestor monotonous genealogy copy generation

Key Information

Use with Writing in the Real World, pp 134–137.

■ A Word Association

To complete each word cluster, add a word from the list above that is closely associated withthe other three words

■ B Rewriting Sentences

Rewrite each sentence using one of the words from the list Revise each sentence as you rewrite

into adulthood

childhood again

befall Caesar at the hands of his enemies in the Roman senate

Listed below are some of the words that are important for understanding Writing in the Real Worldand elements of screenwriting Say each word to yourself

pavilion portent tentative vibrant alliteration

Key Information

Use with Writing in the Real World, pp 176–179.

■ A Relating Words to Concepts

Real World?

■ B Completing Sentences

Complete each sentence below so that the meaning of the underlined word is clear Use a

dictionary to check meanings as needed

I knew the game would be dynamic

Listed below are important words for understanding Writing in the Real World and elements of

sports-writing Say each word to yourself, and then answer the questions that follow

compelling empathize triathlon conflict rehabilitationdisciplined traumatic crucial dynamic minimal

Key Information

Use with Writing in the Real World, pp 224–227.

Match each word or phrase below with a synonym from the list Refer to the dictionary asneeded

■ B Using Words in Sentences

Write a sentence that relates each pair of words Refer to Writing in the Real World and

Listed below are some of the words that are important for understanding Writing in the Real Worldand elements of nature writing Read each word

analogy esteem disparage partiality luridtaxonomist species tawdry organism botany

Key Information

Use with Writing in the Real World, pp 284–287.

■ A Word Association

In each word group, circle the word that does not belong with the other two words Then write

the uncircled words on the line

■ B Recognizing Examples of a Word

In each item below, circle the word or phrase that is not an example of the underlined word.

On the line, briefly explain your answer Refer to a dictionary if you need to

a poem

a scientific discovery; a film version of a novel

the same person on one page of a book; a jumble of many differentpictures on a bulletin board

chase scenes; a comedy stressing the pranks of clowns

Below is a list of words that are important for understanding Writing in the Real World and elements

of movies and movie reviewing Read each word

Key Information

Use with Unit 1, pp 40–50.

■ A Linking Words to Definitions

Match each of the words in the list with the correct definition below

1. enough to meet a certain need or goal

2. the basic nature, or most important quality

3. not fit for eating

4. having adequate ability

5. cultured, polished, and polite

6. without stopping

7. good-natured, harmless

8. atmosphere or feeling that seems to surround a certain person or thing

9. fill with a quality or feeling

10. inability to read or write

■ B Using Words in Sentences

Complete each sentence below by selecting the appropriate word from the list You may need

to change the form of the word

funny at all

and write

with deeper shades of meaning

7. The of my uncle’s personality is kindness and goodwill

from the cup

Listed below are some useful words from the Literature selection Say each word to yourself

infuse sufficient inedible aura incessantlybenign illiteracy essence refined competent

Key Information

Use with Unit 2, pp 112–119.

Complete each sentence so that the meaning of the underlined word is clear Make your

sentences as detailed as possible

Listed below are some useful words from the Literature selection Read each word to yourself

pungent superstitious ornate ottoman hierarchy

Key Information

Use with Unit 3, pp 164–172.

■ A Using Words to Describe

Write the word from the list that could be used to describe each of the following

■ B Using Words in Sentences

In each sentence below, replace one or more words with a word from the list Cross out theappropriate word or words and write the new word above it You may need to change the form

of the word

finish line

In the list below are some interesting words that are important for understanding the Literature selection Say each word to yourself

burnished diffuse recoil antique sullentethered apprehension refuge bravado waxing

Key Information

Use with Unit 4, pp 212–220.

ask difficult questions, find minor faults, sift through

■ B Relating Words and Examples

Give an example of each of the following

Below are some of the words that are important for understanding the Literature selection Say each

word to yourself

obligation florid quibble plagiarize insubordinate

orator maneuver reconcile concoct loathsome

Key Information

Use with Unit 5, pp 276–280.

■ B Using Words in Sentences

Complete each sentence below by selecting the appropriate word from the list at the top of thepage You may need to change the form of the word

a locked metal box at the beginning of the trail

pursuit of a small bird

8. We the snowy field from east to west in the morning while the snowwas still firm

in the rock

Listed below are some of the words that are important for understanding the Literature selection Sayeach word to yourself

splay reminiscent outcropping subtle distinctive

Key Information

Use with Unit 6, pp 316–320.

■ A Writing Definitions

Write a brief definition for each word You may refer to the Literature selection or a dictionary,

but use your own words

■ B Using Words in Sentences

Write a sentence from Spotted Elk’s point of view using the following words You may need to

change the form of the words

Listed below are some important words from the Literature selection Read each word

hoard unceremoniously subsequently desecrate staunchly

Key Information

■ A Inferring Definitions

Analyze the context clues in each sentence to figure out the meaning of the underlined word

On the line write a brief definition in your own words

essential information

their services; in other words, they were usually itinerant

the basis of relationship rather than merit

he’s thinking

■ B Using Context Clues to Make Meaning Clear

Write a context sentence using each of the following words Use the clue word or phrase inparentheses to make the meaning of the word clear Consult a dictionary when necessary, butexpress the definition in your own words

When you encounter an unfamiliar word in your reading, you can often figure out its meaning bylooking at the surrounding words, or context Sometimes the writer supplies the definition of the word

in the sentence, as in this example

The old king decided to abdicate when his son came of age; that is, he stepped

down from the throne

The phrase that is is a clue that a restatement or definition of the word follows Using this clue, you could determine that abdicate means “step down.” Below are some examples of clue words

that signal definition

in other words which means

Key Information

■ A Inferring Meaning from Examples

Analyze the examples in each sentence to choose the correct meaning of the underlined word

Write the correct word from the parentheses on the line Then write the word’s definition in

your own words

gives orders to her younger brother and sister (mournful, overbearing, preoccupied)

promise to attend the college of his father’s choice (submission, challenge, indifference)

■ B Using Examples to Clarify Meaning

Complete each sentence by supplying one or more examples that make the meaning of the

underlined word clear Use a dictionary as necessary

solemn expressions and

Mickey is articulate when he speaks in class

You can often figure out the meaning of a word by its context, or surrounding words In the following

sentence the meaning of the unknown word is explained through an example

My neighbor can be meddlesome; for instance, he is always telling me how I should

plant my garden

The clue in this sentence is the phrase for instance; it signals that an example follows You could use

this clue to figure out that meddlesome means “interfering in something that is not one’s concern.”

The following clue words are often used with examples

for example for instance likesuch as including

Key Information

■ A Relating Known and Unknown Words

In the following sentences, circle the clue word that indicates comparison On the line, writethe underlined word and its meaning

always careful and considerate when he made inquiries

we needed

■ B Using Words in Sentences

Complete each sentence using a word from the list below Refer to a dictionary as necessary

When you come across an unfamiliar word, you can often figure out its meaning by studying the rounding words, or context In the following sentence, the unfamiliar word is similar in meaning toanother phrase in the sentence

sur-Nan’s remarks on my poem were very succinct; similarly, her critique of my essay was

short and to the point

You can use the clue word similarly to determine that succinct means something like “short and to the

point.” Such clue words allow you to compare the meaning of the unfamiliar word to familiar words

or phrases in the sentence Here are some words that writers use to signal comparison

also likewise identicalsimilarly resembling

Key Information

■ A Inferring Meaning Based on Contrast

Use the clue words indicating contrast to figure out the meaning of each underlined word

Write the word’s meaning on the line Then consult a dictionary to check your answers

races since she was ten

very amenable

last game was not worthy of imitation

were prolific

■ B Clarifying Meaning Using Contrast

Write an original sentence using each word Use contrast to make the meaning of the word

clear Be sure to include the clue word in your sentence Refer to a dictionary for meanings

When you find an unfamiliar word in your reading, you can usually find a clue to its meaning in the

surrounding words, or context Consider the following sentence

Alicia is always punctual, unlike Margaret who is usually late.

Notice the word unlike; it signals contrast It tells you the unfamilar word is the opposite of the

familiar word late Using this clue, you could figure out that punctual means “on time.” Below

are some examples of clue words that signal contrast

on the contrary whereas on the other hand

Key Information

■ A Analyzing Meaning Using Contrast

Read each sentence and the definitions in parentheses Circle the correct meaning for eachunderlined word by analyzing the context clues indicating contrast Then write the word’smeaning in your own words

place (apprehensive, unselfish, truthful)

them a lethal blow (severely damaging, very light, highly poisonous)

in class (inability to wake up, inability to sleep, inability to walk)

giant stones into place; therefore, it remains an enigma (artifact, monument, mystery)

■ B Using Words in Sentences

Select a word from the list below to complete each sentence You may refer to a dictionary asnecessary

authentic opaque capitulate paragon hedonist

has won awards in science, mathematics, and English

through it

An unfamiliar word nearly always appears among other words that are familiar to you These rounding words can often provide the context clues you need to figure out the new word’s meaning

sur-In the following sentence, a clue word can help you determine the meaning of toxic.

Because toxic chemicals had made their way into the pond, many of the fish had died.

The clue word is because It signals that a cause-and-effect statement is being made Using this clue word, you could figure out that toxic chemicals are a cause of fish dying Thus, toxic could mean

“poisonous” or “harmful.” Below are some examples of clue words that relate to cause and effect

because as a result therefore since consequently

Key Information

■ A Distinguishing Roots and Base Words

Identify the root or base word that is shared by each pair of words and write it on the line If

your answer is a root, write R after it.

■ B Recognizing Word Families

List two words that contain each word root or base word, by adding a prefix, suffix, or both.

You may refer to a dictionary or other reading material

You can determine the meaning of many words in the English language by analyzing the parts of the

word The main part of a word is the root When the main part is a complete word, it is called a base

word The root or base word gives the word its central meaning When a root or base word is

com-bined with a prefix or a suffix, however, the meaning of the word often changes

A base word can stand on its own as a word; a root becomes a word only when a prefix or

suffix, or both, is added to it

“between” “break” “not” “free of errors”

Analyzing these parts, you could figure out that interrupt means “break in between” and incorrect

means “containing errors.”

Key Information

■ A Making Inferences about Words

Use the information in the table of roots above to answer the following questions

the others?

■ B Using Words in Sentences

Complete each sentence using a word from the list below

benevolent predominant judiciary domain manuscript

3. The colors in the painting are blue and orange, but the artist added

a few strokes of purple in the foreground

4. The contained so many changes and additions that Julio had to retype it

question the nominee to the Supreme Court

The main part of a word is its root The root is like the “spine” of the word It gives the word its bone of meaning

ben good benefit something that results in good

jud judge judicial relating to judging or justiceman hand manual done by hand

Key Information

■ A Identifying Roots

Circle the root shared by each set of words On the line, write the meaning of the root

■ B Completing Sentences

Select a word from Part A to complete the following sentences You may need to change the

form of the word Your word should contain the root that appears in parentheses

1. An narrator is one who has complete knowledge of each character in

4. The of each state is the city in which its government is located (cap)

steaming cups of hot chocolate (vis)

ranch (fin)

The root of a word carries the central meaning of the word Notice that the spelling of the root may

change slightly when it is used in a word

cap head decapitate remove the headfin end final falling at the endsci know science knowledge about the natural world

Key Information

■ A Using Words in Sentences

Complete each sentence using a word from the list below You may need to change the form ofthe word

shape on the paper was a trapezoid

it drink.”

■ B Analyzing Word Roots

Complete the following chart using the information in the table of roots at the top of the page

Refer to a dictionary as needed

to consolidate

5. _ duc process of gaining knowledge and

skill through instruction

A word root becomes a word only when another element, such as a prefix or suffix, is added to it.These elements can change the direction of a word’s meaning, but the main meaning always comesfrom the root

duc lead conduct lead a groupfus pour profuse pouring forth abundantly

Key Information

■ A Combining Words to Make Compounds

For each compound word, underline the first word and circle the second On the line write

a definition of the compound in your own words

■ B Linking Words and Descriptions

Select one of the following words to complete each description

fail-safe part-time firestormroast beef doeskin bookstoremilkweed houseguest air bagslowdown

1. Gloves might be made of this

2. This might be someone’s Sunday dinner

3. This grows tall in a field and exudes a milky liquid in spring

4. This feature in the front seat of a car has saved many lives

5. Books and magazines are for sale here

6. This describes a job that doesn’t fill all your time

7. This person may spend the night at your house

8. When this happens in a manufacturing plant, fewer materials can be

produced

9. This describes a plan that’s sure to succeed

10. This is a turbulent atmosphere of heat and flames

Compounds are words that are made up of two or more complete words The word parts may be

nouns, adjectives, verbs, or adverbs Usually one of the parts is a noun The compound takes its

meaning from both parts of the word equally:

green + house = greenhouse

A greenhouse is a building where plants are grown Generally, compound words are spelled as one

word, but some compounds, such as roast beef and fail-safe, have a space or a hyphen between the

parts Because of this, it’s always a good idea to check a dictionary for the spelling of a compound word

Key Information

■ B Using Words Correctly

Complete each sentence using one of the following words You may need to change the form ofthe word

inconsolable immaterial nonpoisonousdisplace intemperate

been canceled

Prefixes are syllables attached before a root to change its meaning The English language does notcontain as many prefixes as suffixes, but prefixes are still important tools for understanding andlearning new words

A prefix can sometimes completely change the meaning of a word For example, the prefixes below all mean “not.” They give the opposite meaning to any word to which they are attached

dis- disbelief lack of beliefil- illegible not readableim- immobile not capable of movingin- inconsiderate not considerateir- irregular not regularnon- nonfiction not fiction

Key Information

■ A Adding Prefixes

Rewrite each sentence by combining the underlined word with the prefix in parentheses You

may need to change the form of the word

completing their study (post-)

■ B Using Words Correctly

Write a word from the parentheses to complete each sentence

examination (premortem, postmortem)

selected a site for the wedding (prenuptial, postnuptial)

therapy (preoperative, postoperative)

the Civil War (predates, postdates)

A prefix is a word element attached before a root that often changes a word’s meaning Some prefixes

tell when For example, the prefix pre- means “before.” The prefix post- means “after.”

pre- precut cut beforehandpost- postseason after the season

Key Information

■ A Linking Words and Descriptions

Write the word from the list that could be used to describe each of the following

midfield midland

1 _ the place where a ballerina might leap

2 _ the part of a ship about halfway between the bow and the stern

3 _ the point where a batter’s fly ball might land

4 _ the notes in the middle of a singer’s vocal range

5 _ the middle or interior region of a country

■ B Clarifying Meaning

Complete each sentence so that the meaning of the underlined word is clear Refer to

a dictionary as needed

compared to its _

Prefixes are syllables attached before a root that usually alter its meaning Two common prefixes tell

where The prefix mid- means “in the middle of.” The prefix sub- means “under” or “beneath.”

mid- midpoint in the middle between two pointssub- submarine underwater

Key Information

■ A Clarifying Meaning Through Examples

Give an example for each of the following Make your description as detailed as possible

■ B Using Words Correctly

Complete each sentence with a word from the parentheses Refer to a dictionary as needed

opponents to score only one run (outpitched, outdressed)

2. The of flowers in the room made it look like a florist shop

(overexertion, overabundance)

(overemphasize, overstock)

crowd to get to the candidate (outrage, outmuscle)

Syllables that are attached before a root to alter or stress its meaning are called prefixes Two common

prefixes, out- and over-, tell how much or how well.

better than, performance; exceedgoing beyond

over- too much, overpriced priced too high

excessive

Key Information

■ B Using Words in Sentences

For each sentence, substitute a word from the list below for the word or words that have thesame meaning Cross out the word(s) you replace and write the new word above Check yoursentence to be sure it reads smoothly Refer to a dictionary for meanings as needed

statesmanship vocalist

of government

Suffixes are syllables added to the ends of words to create new words with new meanings Suffixes

also can change a word to a different part of speech For example, the suffix -dom means “state of,”

“quality of,” or “domain of.” In addition to creating a new meaning, this suffix also changes the base

word free, which is an adjective, into an abstract noun Therefore, freedom is “the state, quality, or

domain of being free.”

Below are some suffixes that form nouns Notice that the spelling of the root may change when

a suffix is added

-acy state of, quality of pirate piracy

domain

-ship state of, condition citizen citizenship

Key Information

■ A Linking Words and Definitions

Write the word from the parentheses that best fits each definition Refer to a dictionary

as needed

1 without money (penniless, helpless, affable)

2 heavy like lead (hardy, leaden, woolen)

3 made from fragrant plants (magical, hardy, herbal)

4 highly abnormal (herbal, affable, freakish)

5 pleasant and at ease (pinkish, treatable, affable)

■ B Making Inferences About Words

Answer each question with Yes or No Then briefly explain your answer Do not use a root or

a form of the underlined word in your answer Consult a dictionary as needed

Example: Could weather be freakish?

Response: Yes, if it snowed in July

A suffix is added to the end of a word to change its meaning A suffix may also change the word to a

different part of speech For example, the suffix -en means “made of” or “like.” Adding this word to

the noun wool creates the adjective woolen, which means “made of wool” or “like wool.” Below are

some suffixes that can form adjectives

capable of

somewhat like

Key Information