LESSON

LESSON

Adjectives to Know
Adjectives to Know 4

Read Words in Context

A Dog’s Life! Vocabulary Words

various
Dogs come in assorted shapes and sizes, both big and small. adventurous heroic
huge
Among the largest dogs is the massive Saint Bernard, which can assorted massive
adult grown-up Saint Bernard stands
weigh up to 200 pounds! A mature, beloved mature
about two feet high at the shoulder. It’s probably not a good idea to confident mischievous
can break distinguished outstanding
have any fragile, or easily broken, objects around when a Saint
easygoing peculiar
Bernard wags its tail in your home!
relaxed
Some dogs are easygoing pets who are calm and relaxed.
fragile shrewd
naughty fragrant
Others are mischievous. These playful creatures often get into
trouble with their frisky behavior. They may chew your slippers, Word Learning Tip!
shred a newspaper, or even hide your socks! Some dogs are An adjective is a word that
brave
adventurous. Rin Tin Tin, a famous German shepherd, was a describes a noun or a
police dog. He liked excitement. He starred in a television show, pronoun. You can use its
courageous
where he performed many heroic tasks, such as bravely rescuing placement in the sentence
as a clue to its meaning. An
people from danger.
adjective often comes before
Some dogs are very strange
peculiar to look at. They might have big, the noun it describes or after
sad eyes, floppy ears, or shaggy coats, so they look quite odd. Some a linking verb. Adjectives
dogs are beautiful. It’s best to wash dogs regularly so their coats tell what kind, which one,
stay clean and shiny. When dogs are clean, they can have a fresh, how many, or how much. An
sweet smell adjective can end in -ant, -ent,
fragrant smell.
Wise -ar, -ent, -ic, -ile, -ive, or -ous.
Shrewd, experienced people train dogs to help humans in
different ways. For example, some specially trained dogs help Vocabulary
handicapped and blind people with their daily tasks. These Building Strategy
sure dogs are secure and certain of their abilities, and are very
confident Use Context Clues You can
dedicated to the people they help. often find the meaning of an
loved pets whose owners adore them.
Many dogs are beloved adjective you don’t know by
well-known using nearby words in the
President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a very distinguished person who
sentence as context clues.
was President of the United States, took his
These words can help you
terrier, Fala, with him almost everywhere. determine what a new
You can tell that dogs make adjective means.
perfect
outstanding pets and helpers. They can be
wonderful company. That’s why there are
nearly 58 million pet dogs in America!

Lesson 4 • Adjectives to Know 27

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LESSON

4 Adjectives to Know

Connect Words and Meanings

adventurous confident fragile massive outstanding
assorted distinguished fragrant mature peculiar
beloved easygoing heroic mischievous shrewd

Directions Find the word that matches each description. Then use the words to fill in the blanks.
When you have completed the entire puzzle, you will see another vocabulary word when you read
down the squares. Write this word in the blank beside item 10.

Definition Word

1. strange or odd p e c u l i a r

2. very brave or daring h e r o i c

3. known for important

things; dignified d i s t i n g u i s h e d

4. sweet smelling f r a g r a n t

5. delicate,
easily broken f r a g i l e

6. extremely good o u t s t a n d i n g

7. calm and relaxed e a s y g o i n g

8. likes excitement a d v e n t u r o u s

9. various kinds of a s s o r t e d

10. self-assured, secure confident

Continued on next page

28 Chapter 1 • Context Clues

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 LESSON

Adjectives to Know
Adjectives to Know 4

Connect More Words and Meanings

adventurous confident fragile massive outstanding
assorted distinguished fragrant mature peculiar
beloved easygoing heroic mischievous shrewd

Directions Read each definition. Write the vocabulary word that matches the definition in the blank.
You may use the glossary to help you.

Definitions Vocabulary Words

11. adored beloved

12. very large massive

13. grown-up mature

14. gets into trouble mischievous

15. clever; sharp shrewd

Directions Use your knowledge of word meanings to complete each sentence below.

16. Someone who helps other people even when there is danger is courageous .

17. A puppy who is always getting into mischief can be described as mischievous .

18. If you like to have fun and adventures, you might be called adventurous .

19. An older and wiser person is shrewd .

20. Someone you treasure and who is dear to your heart can be described as beloved .

Write a Letter In your personal word journal, write a letter to an organization that helps animals.
Ask what kind of volunteer work the organization has available. Tell them about yourself and
what qualities you have that would make you a good volunteer. Challenge yourself to use at least three
vocabulary words when you write the letter. Also include at least two new adjectives.

Lesson 4 • Adjectives to Know 29

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LESSON

4 Adjectives to Know

Use Words in Context

adventurous confident fragile massive outstanding
assorted distinguished fragrant mature peculiar
beloved easygoing heroic mischievous shrewd

Directions Read each sentence below. Use the context clues in boldface to choose a vocabulary
word. Then use the vocabulary word to write an answer to each question.

1. How could a cute puppy get into so much trouble and cause so many problems?
Because puppies can sometimes be mischievous.
__________________________________________________________________________________
2. What different kinds of animals might you find in an animal shelter? Name at least three
different types of animals. There are assorted animals such as cats, dogs and rabbits.
________________________________________________________________
3. Where would you go with a dog who likes excitement and is willing to take risks?
I would like to go with an adventurous dog to a forest.
__________________________________________________________________________________
4. What might a brave dog do if its master were in trouble? __________________________________________
A heroic dog will always help people in trouble.
__________________________________________________________________________________
5. How could a huge dog help people because it is so big? ______________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
A massive dog can protect people with his huge body.
6. What is the strangest dog you’ve ever seen?________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
I have seen a peculiar dog at the park.
7. Why do people like relaxed and calm dogs? ________________________________________
Because they are easygoing and caring.
__________________________________________________________________________________
8. What would be an extremely good reward to give to a brave dog?
We can reward an outstanding by giving him treats.
__________________________________________________________________________________
9. What might a clever and cunning pet-store owner do to sell more dog food?
__________________________________________________________________________________
A shrewd pet-store owner can attract the dogs with his dog food.
10. What could a manufacturer do to make dog food more sweet smelling?
__________________________________________________________________________________
A manufacturer can make dogs food by adding fragrant food.

Create a “Lost Pet” Ad Look through magazines for a photo of a pet. Use it to create an ad
that you could post to help locate a lost pet. Use at least five vocabulary words and three
new adjectives.

30 Chapter 1 • Context Clues

Powerful Vocabulary for Reading Success: Grade 5 © Scholastic Teaching Resources
 LESSON

Adjectives to Know
Adjectives to Know 4

Put Words Into Action

adventurous confident fragile massive outstanding
assorted distinguished fragrant mature peculiar
beloved easygoing heroic mischievous shrewd

Directions Think of a famous public figure you admire. It could be someone living today or someone
from the past. Write five sentences providing clues to help classmates guess who this person is.
Use one vocabulary word in each clue. For example, “He is an outstanding pitcher who is in the
Baseball Hall of Fame.”

She has a fragrant smell .

Clue #1 ____________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Clue #2 ________________________________________________________________________________
She has outstanding marks.
__________________________________________________________________________________

She is beloved from all the teachers.

Clue #3 ________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

She is easygoing with all classmates.

Clue #4 ____________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

She is confident of herself.

Clue #5 ________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

(It's me)

Write a Character Sketch In your personal word journal, write a character sketch about your
public figure. Before you start writing, think about what characteristics you admire the most.
Use your clues to help you write a sketch that describes the person. Try to use at least four
vocabulary words and four new adjectives.

Lesson 4 • Adjectives to Know 31

Powerful Vocabulary for Reading Success: Grade 5 © Scholastic Teaching Resources
LESSON
LESSON

4 Adjectives to Know
Adjectives to Know

Review and Extend

adventurous confident fragile massive outstanding
assorted distinguished fragrant mature peculiar
beloved easygoing heroic mischievous shrewd

Learn The ending of a word can be a clue that it is an adjective. Here are some common
More! endings for adjectives.
-ant/-ent -ar -ic -ile -ive -ous
(causing, having) (like; that which) (like) (like, able) (having, full of) (full of)

confident peculiar heroic fragile massive adventurous

fragrant singular poetic juvenile sensitive nervous
defiant

Directions Read each sentence below. Find the vocabulary word that best matches the boldface
word or words and write it in the first blank. Then write the ending in the second blank.

Brave and well-trained dogs made it possible 1. Word: heroic

to get medicine to faraway places in Alaska. 2. Ending: -ic

Many dogs are well trained and certain of 3. Word: confident

their skills. 4. Ending: -ent

Very large dogs called Huskies are used 5. Word: massive

to pull dog sleds in cold areas. 6. Ending: -ive

Some dogs are bold and daring and seem to 7. Word: adventurous
enjoy new challenges. 8. Ending: -ous

Delicate dogs, with small bones and thin coats, 9. Word: fragile
would not survive in such cold places. 10. Ending: -ile

Write a Tall Tale Work with a partner to write a tall tale about a heroic animal who goes on a
great adventure. Brainstorm with your partner a few ideas that might make an interesting or
amusing story. Choose one of the ideas and write a tall tale. Use at least three vocabulary words
and three new adjectives in your story.

32 Chapter 1 • Context Clues

Powerful Vocabulary for Reading Success: Grade 5 © Scholastic Teaching Resources
 LESSON
LESSON

Adjectives to Know 4

Check Your Mastery

Directions Circle the letter of the correct answer to each question below.

1. Which of the following could mean that a person is adventurous?

A. taking a nap C. planting seeds
B. watching television D. climbing a rugged mountain

2. If the air were sweet and fragrant, what might it smell like?
A. sugar C. old socks
B. flowers D. burning rubber

3. Which of the following characteristics would a heroic person have?

A. musical talent C. courage
B. friendliness D. weakness

4. What might an outstanding citizen receive?

A. a medal C. a lesson in good manners
B. an education D. a puppy

5. What might a mischievous puppy do?

A. smell good C. sit on your lap
B. chew your slippers D. eat dinner

Directions Read each item below. For each, fill in the blank with the word that best fits.

6. Mature (Fragile, Mature, Peculiar) dogs are usually easier to

handle than young puppies.

7. Benny has an easygoing (assorted, easygoing, adventurous) dog who is

always calm and not brave at all!

8. Lucy’s beloved (beloved, confident, shrewd) dog is adored by the

entire family.

9. Alejandro has a massive (fragile, massive, peculiar) dog that weighs

almost 175 pounds!

10. Mai Ka met a very distinguished (distinguished, mischievous, fragrant) trainer

who is noted for her incredible dog-training skills.

Lesson 4 • Adjectives to Know 33

Powerful Vocabulary for Reading Success: Grade 5 © Scholastic Teaching Resources
LESSON

5 More Adjectives to Know

More Adjectives to Know

Read Words in Context

Vocabulary Words A Family Tradition

annual luminous yearly
Amber and her family take an annual vacation. Every year
billowy perilous far away
they either go on a long trip to some distant place or stay close to
breathtaking sincere
convenient spectacular
home. “Let’s go to Bryant Park and camp this year,” Amber’s father
suitable and comfortable, and I don’t want to drive a
said. “It’s convenient
dense spotless
distant unique long way this year. ”
wonderful
ebony wondrous Amber likes Bryant Park because of its breathtaking scenery.
amazing
genuine One beautiful sight that excites her is the spectacular waterfall
unsafe drop of five hundred feet. Although Amber’s
with its perilous
Word Learning Tip! admiration for the beauty of the fallsfrom the heart
is sincere and honest, she has
An adjective describes a to admit that the steepness of the drop also frightens her.
noun or a pronoun. It usually thick
Amber and her sisters love to hike in the dense forests where
comes before a noun or after
a linking verb. You can use the pine trees are packed thickly together. When they reach a
smoky
an adjective’s placement in a clearing, they watch the billowy clouds sweep over their heads like
bright
sentence as a clue to its waves on the ocean. At night, the luminous stars shine brightly
meaning. Adjectives can black
against the ebony sky, like jewels laid out on a cloth of black velvet.
compare or they can tell what clean
The campground is always spotless, too. People pick up their
kind, which one, how many, marvellous
or how much. litter and carefully place it in trash cans. “This is a wondrous
actual
place,” Amber says. “It fills you with genuine wonder about all of
Vocabulary nature. The beauty of the place is so real and intense.”
Building Strategy “Yes,” her mother agrees. “Bryant Park is a rare treasure and a
special
unique one. If old growth forests like this were destroyed, they
Use Context Clues Often you
can find the meaning of an could never be replaced!”
unfamiliar adjective by using
the word’s context—the
surrounding words and
phrases. These clues help
you determine what a new
adjective means.

34 Chapter 1 • Context Clues

Powerful Vocabulary for Reading Success: Grade 5 © Scholastic Teaching Resources