Vocabulary

Words in Context V. 034

Word Express

Objective
The student will identify the meaning of words in context.

Materials
▶ Question cards
If words in this activity are not appropriate for your students, use words that are
more applicable. Note: First word underlined is the target word and the second is the answer.

Activity
Students identify the meaning of target vocabulary by responding to questions.
1. Place question cards face down in a stack at the center.
2. Working in pairs, student one selects the top card from the stack and reads the sentence to
student two (without revealing it). For example, “If a farmer has to prod the cow to move, does
he sing to it or push it?”
3. Student two states the answer (i.e., push it). Student one checks to see if the answer is correct
by looking at the second underlined word or phrase.
4. If correct, student one gives the card to student two who keeps the card. If incorrect, student
one states the correct answer, shows the card to student one and places it at the bottom of the
stack.
5. Reverse roles.
6. Continue until all cards are read.
7. Peer evaluation

“If a farmerhas to prod the

“The farmer would have to push
cow to move, doeshe sing
the cow to makeit move!”
to it or push it?”

Extensions and Adaptations

▶ Write more sentences using the underlined words.
▶ Write more question and vocabulary cards to match.

©2005 The Florida Center for Reading Research and Florida Department of Education (Revised, 2021) 2-3 Student Center Activities:Vocabulary
 Vocabulary
V. 034 Word Express

If you had to yank on a If a leaf quivers in the

door to open it, do you wind, does the leaf
pull hard or use a key? change colors or shake?

If a mouse knows that

When someone is
a cat is near, he may
interested in the stars and
scurry away. Will the
gazes at them, is he
mouse hurry or will he
looking or making wishes?
walk slowly?

If a policeman is stern If a woman is in a panic

with a person who runs because she needs to
a red light, is he telling make a phone call and
jokes or being can’t find a phone, is she
firm and strict? upset or tired?

If an office parking lot is If you didn’t get enough

vacant on Sunday sleep and are grumpy,
because no one is at are you hungry or in a
work, is it empty or busy? bad mood?

2-3 Student Center Activities:Vocabulary ©2005 The Florida Center for Reading Research and Florida Department of Education (Revised, 2021)
Vocabulary
Word Express V. 034

If a weatherman If you complain about

informs people it is taking out the trash, are
going to storm, is he you unhappy about
teasing them or doing it or don’t mind
letting them know? doing it?

If a doctor examines
If a farmer has to prod the sick patient, is he
the cow to move, does studying the patient or
he sing to it or push it? staying away
from the patient?

If the children had a

If a dress is exquisite
splendid day at the
because it is made of
fair, did they have
lace, is it too
an enjoyable or
big or very beautiful?
unhappy day?

If the rocks glisten in the

If you read a story that is
river, are they falling
strange and absurd, is it
from the mountain or
from a different country
reflecting light because
or completely silly?
they are wet?

©2005 The Florida Center for Reading Research and Florida Department of Education (Revised, 2021) 2-3 Student Center Activities:Vocabulary