Although her friends begged her to skip practice for the movie, Lena remained _____ that she would not miss a single session before the tournament.	adamant — refusing to change your mind; very firm (Clue: Contrast: despite her friends' begging, she firmly refuses to change her mind.)
To _____ the crowding in the cafeteria, the principal added a second lunch period so fewer students would be eating at the same time.	alleviate — to make pain or a problem less severe (Clue: Cause and effect: a second lunch period makes the crowding problem less severe.)
Despite growing up in poverty and losing her hearing at age nine, the scientist overcame great _____ to earn a scholarship and later a doctorate.	adversity — serious hardship or bad luck (Clue: Examples: poverty and hearing loss are serious hardships that she overcame.)
After winning one chess match, Derek became so _____ that he bragged to everyone and refused to take advice from players who had been competing for years.	arrogant — acting as if you are better than others (Clue: Description: bragging and refusing advice from experts show he thinks he is better than others.)
Experts examined the signature, the paper, and the ink before declaring that the letter was _____ and not a clever forgery made centuries later.	authentic — real and genuine, not a copy (Clue: Contrast: "not a clever forgery" tells you the letter is real.)
Before deciding whether the old bridge was safe for hikers, engineers had to _____ the damage by measuring cracks and testing the strength of each beam.	assess — to judge the value, size, or quality of (Clue: Description: measuring and testing are ways of judging how bad the damage is.)
The two neighbors had argued about the fence for so long that their _____ was obvious; they glared at each other and refused to speak even at the block party.	animosity — strong dislike or hostility toward someone (Clue: Description: glaring and refusing to speak show strong dislike between them.)
The cook forgot to add any spices, so the stew was _____, and several campers reached for the hot sauce to give it some flavor.	bland — lacking flavor or interest; dull (Clue: Cause and effect: no spices left the stew without flavor.)
Sophie's copying was so _____ that she did not even bother to hide it; she simply turned her head and wrote down each of her neighbor's answers.	blatant — very obvious and done openly, without shame (Clue: Description: wrongdoing done openly, without even trying to hide it, is obvious.)
After years of training at high altitude, the climber was finally able to _____ her lifelong goal of standing on the summit of Mount Everest.	attain — to reach or achieve a goal (Clue: Description: finally reaching a lifelong goal after years of effort means achieving it.)
The teacher asked for a _____ summary, so Ravi cut his ten-page draft down to a single paragraph that still included every important point.	concise — brief but clear and complete (Clue: Description: cutting to one paragraph while keeping every key point means brief but complete.)
When the storm destroyed the garden she had tended for twenty years, Mrs. Okafor wept in _____, unable to imagine starting over.	anguish — severe pain or very great sorrow (Clue: Description: weeping over a loss she cannot face shows deep sorrow.)
The coach hoped that a pep talk before the final game would _____ the team's confidence, which had been shaken by two straight losses.	bolster — to support or make stronger (Clue: Cause and effect: shaken confidence needs to be propped up by the pep talk.)
Unlike her careless lab partner, Priya was _____, double-checking every measurement and recording each result neatly before moving on.	conscientious — careful to do your work well and correctly (Clue: Contrast: unlike her careless partner, she does her work carefully and correctly.)
In a classroom where everyone wore navy uniforms, Carlos felt _____ in his bright yellow raincoat, and he could tell that every head turned toward him.	conspicuous — easy to notice; standing out (Clue: Contrast: a yellow coat among navy uniforms stands out and draws every eye.)
Even as a toddler, Hiro had a remarkable _____ for music; he could pick out songs on the piano before anyone had taught him a single note.	aptitude — a natural ability to learn or do something (Clue: Examples: playing songs before any lessons shows a natural ability.)
Although she had argued for an hour that the answer was 12, Ana finally had to _____ that her classmate's answer of 15 was correct.	concede — to admit something is true, often unwillingly (Clue: Contrast: after arguing for an hour, she unwillingly admits she was wrong.)
Because the article cited no sources and was full of spelling errors, the students decided it was not a _____ source for their research report.	credible — believable; able to be trusted (Clue: Cause and effect: no sources and many errors make the article untrustworthy.)
The treasure hunt clue was so _____ that the campers spent an hour arguing about what "where the sun sleeps twice" could possibly mean.	cryptic — mysterious and hard to understand (Clue: Description: a clue so puzzling that no one can work out its meaning.)
Thanks to an unnamed _____ who gave a million dollars, the small town was able to build a new science center for its children.	benefactor — a person who gives money or help (Clue: Description: a person who gave money to help the town.)
Scientists around the world were quick to _____ the company's illegal dumping of waste into the river, calling it harmful and irresponsible.	condemn — to say strongly that something is wrong (Clue: Description: calling the dumping harmful and irresponsible is strong public disapproval.)
While the other captains wasted time debating, Keisha was _____; she chose her team's strategy in seconds and never second-guessed it.	decisive — able to make choices quickly and firmly (Clue: Contrast: others debate endlessly, but she chooses quickly and sticks with it.)
After three days stranded on the island with no food left, the sailors grew _____ and were willing to try any plan, no matter how risky, to be rescued.	desperate — feeling hopeless and ready to try anything (Clue: Cause and effect: running out of food makes them hopeless and willing to try anything.)
Jonah trusted his grandmother more than anyone, so he decided to _____ in her about the worries he had kept secret from everyone else.	confide — to tell a secret to someone you trust (Clue: Cause and effect: deep trust leads him to tell her his secret worries.)
Because the contest judge was the singer's aunt, the other performers worried that her _____ would keep her from scoring everyone fairly.	bias — an unfair preference for or against something (Clue: Cause and effect: being related to a singer could cause an unfair preference.)
The cartoon villain came up with a _____ plan, pretending to be the hero's friend while secretly stealing the map from his backpack.	devious — sneaky and dishonest (Clue: Description: pretending friendship while secretly stealing shows sneaky dishonesty.)
The school's chess club was remarkably _____, with members ranging from sixth graders to teachers and from students born in Brazil to students born in Korea.	diverse — showing great variety; made of different kinds (Clue: Examples: the wide range of ages and birthplaces shows great variety.)
Instead of avoiding the classmate who had been spreading rumors, Tariq decided to _____ him and ask him to stop.	confront — to face a problem or person directly (Clue: Contrast: instead of avoiding him, Tariq meets the problem head-on.)
After months of early-morning rowing practices, the crew developed a warm _____, joking together and cheering for one another even off the water.	camaraderie — friendship and trust among a group (Clue: Description: joking and cheering for one another show friendship within the group.)
The salesman promised the cream would make hair grow back overnight, but Grandpa was _____ and decided to read reviews before spending any money.	dubious — doubtful; not to be trusted (Clue: Contrast: a too-good-to-be-true promise makes him doubtful, so he checks first.)
Ella's claim that she had been home all evening seemed believable until the security video appeared to _____ it, showing her at the mall at eight o'clock.	contradict — to say the opposite of (Clue: Contrast: the video shows the opposite of what she claimed.)
The _____ inventor kept forty clocks in his kitchen, all set to different times, and wore swim goggles whenever he read the newspaper.	eccentric — odd or unusual in a harmless way (Clue: Examples: forty clocks and swim goggles for reading are harmlessly odd habits.)
Instead of a simple birthday card, Nadia made an _____ pop-up model of a castle with moving drawbridges, tiny flags, and dozens of paper windows.	elaborate — having many detailed parts; complicated (Clue: Contrast: unlike a simple card, the model has many detailed parts.)
The discovery of gold in California was the _____ for rapid change, causing thousands of people to rush west and towns to spring up almost overnight.	catalyst — something that causes or speeds up change (Clue: Cause and effect: the discovery set off a wave of rapid change.)
During the drought, families were asked to _____ water by taking shorter showers and watering lawns only once a week.	conserve — to protect something from waste or loss (Clue: Examples: shorter showers and less watering are ways to avoid wasting water.)
Unlike her brother, who groaned at the idea, Zoe was _____ about the museum trip and had already planned which exhibits to visit first.	enthusiastic — showing great excitement and interest (Clue: Contrast: unlike her groaning brother, she is excited and plans ahead.)
When the final buzzer sounded, the _____ players leaped into the air, hugged one another, and danced across the court while the crowd roared.	exuberant — overflowing with energy, joy, and excitement (Clue: Description: leaping, hugging, and dancing show overflowing joy and energy.)
Maya wanted pizza and Leo wanted tacos, so they reached a _____: they would have pizza tonight and tacos tomorrow.	compromise — an agreement where each side gives up something (Clue: Description: each person gives a little so both get part of what they want.)
If the town keeps pumping water from the well this quickly, it will _____ the underground supply within a few years, leaving nothing for future residents.	deplete — to use up the supply of (Clue: Cause and effect: pumping so fast will leave nothing, so the supply gets used up.)
The usually gentle river became _____ after a week of heavy rain, its roaring brown water tearing whole trees from the banks.	ferocious — extremely fierce or intense (Clue: Contrast: a gentle river turns wild and powerful after the rain.)
The undefeated debate team from Lincoln High was a _____ opponent, so Amara's team spent weeks preparing for the match against them.	formidable — impressive and very hard to beat (Clue: Cause and effect: an undefeated, hard-to-beat rival requires weeks of preparation.)
Building the parking lot would _____ the neighborhood's children of their only park, leaving them nowhere safe to play.	deprive — to take away or keep something needed from (Clue: Cause and effect: the lot takes away the park, leaving children with nothing.)
After a long discussion, the student council reached a _____; every single member voted to hold the fundraiser in May.	consensus — general agreement among a group (Clue: Description: every member voting the same way shows general agreement.)
When Leah realized the bus would leave in two minutes and she still couldn't find her homework, she made a _____ search, flinging clothes and books everywhere.	frantic — wild with worry or hurry (Clue: Description: rushing and flinging things everywhere show wild, panicked hurry.)
Mr. Kim urged the class to spend the fundraiser money on useful supplies like microscopes rather than _____ items such as glitter stickers and party hats.	frivolous — silly and not serious or important (Clue: Contrast: useful microscopes versus silly, unimportant stickers and hats.)
The two paintings were so alike that only an expert could _____ the tiny differences in brushstrokes that showed which one was the original.	discern — to notice or tell apart, often with difficulty (Clue: Description: only an expert can tell apart differences that tiny.)
The champion treated his first-time opponent with _____, refusing to shake her hand and smirking as if she did not deserve to share the court with him.	contempt — a feeling that someone is worthless (Clue: Description: refusing a handshake and smirking show he thinks she is worthless.)
Unlike her shy sister, who preferred reading alone, Bianca was _____, happiest when she was surrounded by friends at a crowded party.	gregarious — liking to be with other people; sociable (Clue: Contrast: unlike her shy sister, she loves being around people.)
The villagers were so _____ that they invited the tired travelers into their homes, served them warm meals, and offered them beds for the night.	hospitable — friendly and welcoming to guests (Clue: Examples: inviting strangers in, feeding them, and giving them beds show a warm welcome.)
The magician refused to _____ how he performed the trick, saying that a secret once shared is no longer a secret.	disclose — to make known information that was secret (Clue: Cause and effect: wanting to keep his secret means he will not make it known.)
The gymnast's routine was _____; the judges could not find a single wobble or misstep, and all five awarded her a perfect ten.	impeccable — perfect; without any flaws (Clue: Restatement: no wobble, no misstep, and perfect scores mean flawless.)
The plan to replace the old oak tree with a parking lot created a heated _____ in town, with residents arguing loudly at every council meeting.	controversy — a public disagreement that many people argue about (Clue: Description: residents arguing loudly in public show a widespread disagreement.)
To _____ the rumor that the cafeteria served worm burgers, the cook invited students into the kitchen to watch her prepare lunch.	dispel — to make a doubt, fear, or belief disappear (Clue: Cause and effect: showing the kitchen makes the false rumor go away.)
Max was such an _____ boy that he took apart the toaster to see how it worked and asked the museum guide question after question.	inquisitive — eager to learn and full of questions (Clue: Examples: taking things apart and asking endless questions show curiosity.)
Though most sailors refused to go near the icy, uncharted waters, the _____ captain steered her small ship straight toward them without hesitation.	intrepid — fearless and adventurous (Clue: Contrast: others refuse to go, but she heads straight into danger.)
The doctor explained that Omar's constant tiredness came from an iron _____, so she told him to eat more spinach, beans, and red meat.	deficiency — a lack or shortage of something needed (Clue: Cause and effect: eating iron-rich foods fixes a shortage of iron.)
Even when her friends begged, Rosa would not _____ what surprise she had planned for the party, because she had promised to keep it secret.	divulge — to reveal private or secret information (Clue: Cause and effect: a promise to keep a secret means she will not tell it.)
After waiting three hours for a flight that was then canceled, the _____ passengers crowded the desk, shouting and demanding answers.	irate — very angry (Clue: Cause and effect: a long wait and a cancellation make them very angry.)
Everyone laughed at Ben's _____ excuse that a flock of geese had flown off with his homework while he walked to school.	ludicrous — so silly it is laughable (Clue: Description: an excuse so silly that everyone laughs is ridiculous.)
The once friendly book club fell into _____ when members could not agree on which novel to read next, and meetings soon became tense and unpleasant.	discord — disagreement and lack of harmony (Clue: Cause and effect: disagreement turns friendly meetings tense and unpleasant.)
The teacher asked open-ended questions to _____ thoughtful answers from even her quietest students, who rarely spoke in class.	elicit — to draw out a response or reaction (Clue: Cause and effect: the questions are designed to draw answers out of quiet students.)
The movie's trailer promised an amazing adventure, but the film itself was only _____: not terrible, but not good enough to recommend.	mediocre — only ordinary or average; not very good (Clue: Restatement: "not terrible, but not good enough" describes something merely average.)
Listening to the slow violin tune reminded Aunt June of summers long past, and she grew quiet and _____ as she stared out at the gray sea.	melancholy — sad in a quiet, thoughtful, lasting way (Clue: Description: quietly remembering lost summers suggests a thoughtful sadness.)
Every time Grandpa told his fishing story, he would _____ it a little more, until the fish had grown from ten pounds to a hundred.	embellish — to decorate or add details to (Clue: Examples: adding bigger and bigger details each time dresses up the story.)
The fashion designer wrinkled her nose with _____ at the plain cotton T-shirt, as if it were far too ordinary for someone of her taste.	disdain — a feeling that something is beneath you (Clue: Description: wrinkling her nose at something "too ordinary" shows she feels it is beneath her.)
The astronaut said that even in space, life includes many _____ tasks, like brushing teeth and cleaning air filters, not just thrilling spacewalks.	mundane — ordinary and dull; everyday (Clue: Contrast: ordinary chores are set against thrilling spacewalks.)
While the other contestants trembled backstage, Jada seemed completely _____, chatting and yawning as if the spelling bee final were no big deal.	nonchalant — calm and seeming not to care or worry (Clue: Contrast: others tremble, but she acts calm and unconcerned.)
Because he admired his older sister's skill on the violin, Theo tried to _____ her by practicing the same pieces and even holding his bow exactly as she did.	emulate — to copy someone you admire (Clue: Cause and effect: admiring his sister leads him to copy her.)
Although most of the committee approved the new dress code, there was strong _____ from two members, who voted against it and explained their objections.	dissent — disagreement with an official or popular opinion (Clue: Contrast: most approve, but two members openly disagree and vote against it.)
The old pirate ship was _____ along the coast; sailors everywhere knew its black sails and feared meeting it on the open sea.	notorious — famous for something bad (Clue: Description: widely known and feared means famous for something bad.)
The doctor agreed to _____ the new sports drink only after studies proved it was safe, and she then appeared in ads recommending it to athletes.	endorse — to publicly support or approve (Clue: Description: appearing in ads recommending the drink is public approval.)
The man behind us at the movie was truly _____, talking loudly on his phone, kicking our seats, and crunching popcorn right next to our ears.	obnoxious — very annoying or unpleasant (Clue: Examples: loud talking, seat-kicking, and noisy crunching are all annoying behaviors.)
Absorbed in his video game, Nikhil was completely _____ to the smoke alarm beeping in the kitchen until his mother tapped him on the shoulder.	oblivious — not aware of what is happening around you (Clue: Cause and effect: being absorbed in the game leaves him unaware of the alarm.)
When Kofi saw his friend's brand-new telescope, he felt a pang of _____ and wished he had one just like it.	envy — wanting what someone else has (Clue: Description: wishing he had what his friend has.)
To _____ more shoppers into the new bookstore, the owner offered free hot chocolate and set out a table of colorful books by the door.	entice — to attract someone by offering something pleasant (Clue: Cause and effect: free treats are offered to draw shoppers in.)
The king's _____ palace was filled with marble floors, velvet curtains, and golden chandeliers, a sharp contrast to the simple huts of the villagers nearby.	opulent — rich, expensive, and showy (Clue: Examples: marble, velvet, and gold show great wealth beside simple huts.)
Unlike the plain modern buildings around it, the old theater was _____, with carved angels, swirling patterns, and gold trim covering every wall.	ornate — decorated with lots of fancy detail (Clue: Contrast: unlike plain buildings, it is covered in detailed decoration.)
Behind his calm, smiling _____, the new student was actually terrified, his hands shaking under the desk as the teacher called his name.	facade — a false outward appearance that hides feelings (Clue: Contrast: a calm outside hides the fear he really feels.)
Thanks to a worldwide vaccine campaign, scientists were able to _____ smallpox, so that not a single natural case has appeared anywhere since 1977.	eradicate — to destroy completely; wipe out (Clue: Cause and effect: not a single case since 1977 means the disease was wiped out.)
Repairing the ancient vase took months of _____ work, as the museum expert glued each of the three hundred tiny fragments back into place by hand.	painstaking — done with great care and effort (Clue: Description: months of gluing tiny pieces by hand shows great care and effort.)
Rather than sitting back and letting others make every decision, the coach wanted her players to stop being _____ and take charge on the field.	passive — accepting what happens without taking action (Clue: Contrast: sitting back and letting others decide is the opposite of taking charge.)
The scent of cinnamon always seemed to _____ memories of Grandma's kitchen, where Elena had spent every winter baking cookies as a little girl.	evoke — to bring a feeling or memory to mind (Clue: Cause and effect: a scent brings old memories back to mind.)
Swimming across the cold, choppy English Channel is a remarkable _____ that only a small number of athletes have ever managed.	feat — an achievement that takes great skill or courage (Clue: Description: something rare and very difficult to accomplish.)
The math problem seemed to have no solution, and even the teacher looked _____ as she scratched her head and reread the question three times.	perplexed — completely confused; puzzled (Clue: Description: head-scratching and rereading show she is confused.)
The sisters stopped speaking for a week over something truly _____: who got to hold the remote during a single commercial break.	petty — small and unimportant; mean about little things (Clue: Description: a week-long fight over one commercial break is about something tiny.)
Moving the piano up the stairs required the four movers to _____ all their strength, groaning as they pushed it one step at a time.	exert — to use strength, effort, or influence (Clue: Description: pushing a piano upstairs takes using all their strength.)
The pastry chef decorated the cake with such _____ that each sugar flower looked delicate and real, as if it had just been picked from a garden.	finesse — great skill and grace in handling something (Clue: Description: delicate, lifelike work shows refined skill and grace.)
The _____ speaker used long, fancy words to impress the audience and spent most of his talk describing his own awards.	pompous — showing off how important you think you are (Clue: Description: showy words and bragging about awards show self-importance.)
The tall stack of books on the edge of Liam's desk leaned at a _____ angle, ready to topple at the slightest bump.	precarious — unsafe and likely to fall or fail (Clue: Description: leaning and ready to topple means unsteady and unsafe.)
When you sneeze, your body uses a powerful burst of air to _____ dust and germs from your nose.	expel — to force someone or something out (Clue: Cause and effect: a burst of air forces the dust out.)
Few people ever visit the remote mountain lake, so its waters remain _____, with no trash on the shore and water clear enough to see the bottom.	pristine — perfectly clean and untouched (Clue: Cause and effect: few visitors keep the lake clean and untouched.)
Building a house of straw on a beach where hurricanes strike every year would be pure _____, so the architect recommended concrete instead.	folly — a foolish act or idea (Clue: Description: a plan that is clearly unwise and foolish.)
Rather than admit she had forgotten her homework, Tessa tried to _____ a story about her dog getting sick, but her teacher saw through the lie.	fabricate — to make up something false (Clue: Description: a made-up story that turns out to be a lie.)
The visit to the children's hospital had a _____ effect on Malik; he came home quiet and thoughtful and soon decided he wanted to become a doctor.	profound — very deep or meaningful (Clue: Cause and effect: a life-changing decision shows a deep effect.)
After two summers of daily practice, Hana became _____ in Spanish and could chat easily with shopkeepers during her family's trip to Mexico.	proficient — skilled from practice (Clue: Cause and effect: daily practice made her able to speak with ease.)
The "miracle" pill that supposedly turned water into gasoline was a _____, and the seller was caught keeping all the money from his buyers.	fraud — dishonest trickery used to gain money (Clue: Description: selling a fake product to take people's money is dishonest trickery.)
In the desert, temperatures can _____ wildly, soaring above 100 degrees during the day and then dropping close to freezing at night.	fluctuate — to rise and fall in an irregular way (Clue: Description: soaring and then dropping shows going up and down.)
As a _____ scientist whose discoveries appeared in textbooks worldwide, Dr. Ito was often invited to speak at universities.	prominent — important and well known (Clue: Description: worldwide textbook fame shows she is important and well known.)
Even though she was scared of flying, Sana tried to be _____ by reminding herself of the facts: airplanes are much safer than cars.	rational — based on clear thinking and reason (Clue: Contrast: she uses facts and reasoning to overcome her fear.)
The students brought their _____ to the principal, explaining that it was unfair that only seniors were allowed to use the new gym.	grievance — a complaint about something unfair (Clue: Description: explaining that a rule is unfair is making a complaint.)
Before the hurricane arrived, residents worked to _____ their homes, nailing boards over windows and piling sandbags against the doors.	fortify — to make stronger, especially for protection (Clue: Examples: boards and sandbags strengthen homes against the storm.)
The _____ wind blew for nine days without a single pause, wearing down the explorers who were trying to cross the frozen plain.	relentless — never stopping or easing up (Clue: Description: blowing for nine days without a pause means it never let up.)
Even after failing her driving test twice, Isabel remained _____, signing up for a third attempt the very next morning and practicing every day until she passed.	resolute — firmly determined (Clue: Contrast: despite two failures, she keeps going with firm determination.)
To _____ a love of science in young children, the museum built a hands-on exhibit where kids could build volcanoes and handle real fossils.	foster — to encourage the growth or development of (Clue: Cause and effect: the exhibit is built to help a love of science grow.)
Proud of her Mexican _____, Lucia learned her grandmother's recipes, danced at the folk festival, and kept the family's old photographs safe.	heritage — traditions and culture passed down from ancestors (Clue: Examples: recipes, dances, and photos are traditions passed down in her family.)
When the tent pole snapped during the storm, the _____ hikers used a sturdy branch and some shoelaces to build a replacement in minutes.	resourceful — good at finding clever ways to solve problems (Clue: Description: using whatever is at hand to fix a problem shows cleverness.)
The training program for future astronauts is extremely _____, requiring years of study, hours of daily exercise, and tests that only a few candidates pass.	rigorous — very strict, thorough, and demanding (Clue: Examples: years of study and very hard tests show how demanding it is.)
Heavy snow continued to _____ the rescue team's progress, forcing them to stop every few hundred feet to dig out their trucks.	hamper — to slow down or get in the way of (Clue: Description: being forced to stop again and again shows the snow got in the way.)
The famous photo of the Loch Ness monster was later revealed to be a _____; the "monster" was actually a toy submarine with a fake head attached.	hoax — a trick meant to fool people (Clue: Description: a fake made on purpose to fool people.)
The new owner was _____ in cutting costs, firing longtime workers without warning and showing no concern for how they would pay their bills.	ruthless — showing no mercy or pity (Clue: Description: showing no concern for the workers means having no mercy.)
A lack of money continued to _____ progress on the new library, which sat half-built for more than a year.	impede — to slow or block progress (Clue: Cause and effect: no money holds up progress, leaving the building half-built.)
When Jordan tripped over his own feet, his brother said "Nice moves, superstar" in a _____ tone that made it clear he meant the exact opposite.	sarcastic — saying the opposite of what you mean to mock (Clue: Description: saying the opposite of what he means, to tease, is mocking.)
In the mystery novel, the abandoned mansion had a _____ look, with broken windows like empty eyes and a gate that creaked as if warning visitors away.	sinister — seeming evil or threatening (Clue: Description: eerie, warning details make the house seem evil and threatening.)
Mr. Patel lectures us about eating healthy food, yet he eats candy bars every day at his desk, so many students think he is a bit of a _____.	hypocrite — someone who does what they tell others not to (Clue: Contrast: he preaches one thing but does the opposite himself.)
Ms. Lopez never said out loud that the essay was late, but her raised eyebrow seemed to _____ that she knew exactly when it had been turned in.	imply — to suggest something without saying it directly (Clue: Contrast: not said out loud, but hinted by her expression.)
The water in the old pond had not moved in months; it was _____ and green, smelling of rot and swarming with mosquitoes.	stagnant — not flowing or moving; not growing (Clue: Description: water that has not moved in months and smells of rot.)
Through every losing season, the team's _____ fans never stopped buying tickets, showing up in the rain to cheer as loudly as ever.	steadfast — loyal and unwavering (Clue: Description: support that never stops, even in bad times, shows loyalty.)
The puddle shimmering on the hot desert road was only an _____; when the travelers drove closer, the "water" vanished completely.	illusion — something that looks real but is not (Clue: Description: something that seemed real but vanished up close was never really there.)
The prankster's fake fire alarm did more than annoy people; it helped _____ panic, sending shoppers rushing for the exits.	incite — to stir up or provoke (Clue: Cause and effect: the fake alarm stirs up panic that sends people running.)
The difference between the two shades of blue was so _____ that most people thought the walls were the same color until an artist pointed it out.	subtle — so slight it is hard to notice (Clue: Description: a difference most people miss is very slight.)
Ethan's report was _____, listing a few facts about volcanoes without explaining how they form or why they erupt.	superficial — only on the surface; not deep (Clue: Description: listing facts with no deeper explanation stays on the surface.)
After finishing her exams, Chloe decided to _____ in a lazy afternoon of comic books and a giant ice-cream sundae.	indulge — to allow yourself or others a special pleasure (Clue: Description: rewarding herself with fun and sweets is giving herself a pleasure.)
To give students an _____ to turn in homework on time, the teacher promised a pizza party to any class with perfect homework for a month.	incentive — something that encourages you to act (Clue: Cause and effect: a promised party encourages students to act.)
The _____ terrier refused to let go of the rope toy, hanging on with its teeth even when Javier lifted it completely off the ground.	tenacious — holding on firmly; refusing to give up (Clue: Description: refusing to let go even when lifted shows a firm grip.)
Our plans for the beach trip are only _____ because the weather might change, so we will decide for sure on Friday morning.	tentative — uncertain; not yet final (Clue: Cause and effect: the weather might change, so the plans are not final.)
Seeing muddy paw prints across the kitchen floor and an empty dog bed, Mom was able to _____ that Rex had escaped through the back door.	infer — to figure out from clues or evidence (Clue: Description: reaching a conclusion from paw prints and an empty bed.)
When the cashier gave her twenty dollars too much in change, Amina showed her _____ by returning the money right away, even though no one would have known.	integrity — honesty and strong moral principles (Clue: Description: returning money no one would miss shows honesty.)
The detective's search of the room was _____; she checked under the rug, inside every drawer, and even behind the paintings on the wall.	thorough — complete and careful about every detail (Clue: Examples: checking every possible hiding place shows a complete search.)
The glass frog's skin is so _____ that scientists can see its tiny heart beating right through its belly.	transparent — clear enough to see through (Clue: Cause and effect: seeing the heart through its skin means the skin is see-through.)
Chilly nights can _____ the growth of tomato plants, so gardeners often wait until late spring to plant them outside.	inhibit — to hold back or prevent (Clue: Cause and effect: cold holds back growth, so gardeners wait.)
The substitute could not calm the _____ class, whose students kept leaving their seats, throwing paper airplanes, and shouting over one another.	unruly — hard to control; wild (Clue: Examples: leaving seats, throwing planes, and shouting show the class is out of control.)
Though she had no proof, Grace trusted her _____ that something was wrong with the old ladder, and later the store found a crack in one rung.	intuition — knowing something without proof; a gut feeling (Clue: Description: sensing a problem without proof is a gut feeling.)
Noah tried to _____ a snowball fight by tossing the first snowball at his cousin, and soon the whole playground had joined in.	instigate — to deliberately cause something to start (Clue: Cause and effect: throwing the first snowball sets the whole fight in motion.)
Ava was so _____ about her hair that she checked her reflection in every window she passed and spent an hour styling it each morning.	vain — too proud of your looks or abilities (Clue: Examples: constant mirror-checking and hours of styling show too much pride in looks.)
After losing the class election to Marcus, Kyle became _____ and spent weeks trying to get back at him by spreading silly rumors.	vindictive — wanting to get revenge (Clue: Description: trying to get back at someone shows a desire for revenge.)
The beloved teacher's greatest _____ was not a building or an award but the thousands of students who went on to share her love of learning.	legacy — something handed down from the past (Clue: Description: what she left behind that lasts after her career.)
Coach Rivera warned that missing too many practices could _____ Dante's chance of starting in the championship game.	jeopardize — to put at risk (Clue: Cause and effect: missing practice puts his starting spot at risk.)
Mountain weather is so _____ that a sunny morning can turn into a hailstorm within an hour, so hikers must always pack rain gear.	volatile — likely to change suddenly (Clue: Examples: sun turning into hail within an hour shows sudden change.)
A _____ reader, Sofia finished three novels every week and always begged the librarian for more books before she left.	voracious — having a huge appetite; extremely eager (Clue: Description: devouring books and always wanting more shows a huge appetite.)
During her first year of teaching, Ms. Chen relied on her _____, an experienced teacher down the hall who gave her advice and helped plan her lessons.	mentor — an experienced person who guides someone (Clue: Restatement: an experienced teacher who gave advice and guidance.)
The teacher asked each student to _____ their answer by pointing to evidence in the text that supported their opinion.	justify — to give a good reason for (Clue: Description: backing up an answer with evidence gives a good reason for it.)
The children's book was full of _____ drawings, like pigs with butterfly wings and teapots that danced on tiny legs.	whimsical — playful and fanciful in an odd way (Clue: Examples: winged pigs and dancing teapots are playful, fanciful ideas.)
Watching her old camp friends post photos from the lake, Rania felt _____, wishing she could be back there splashing in the water with them.	wistful — sadly longing for something (Clue: Description: sadly wishing to be back somewhere shows longing.)
When the two lab partners could not agree on how to split the work, they asked their teacher to _____ and help them find a fair solution.	mediate — to help two sides settle a disagreement (Clue: Description: a neutral person helping two sides reach a fair solution.)
Many people believe that goldfish have only a three-second memory, but this is a common _____; studies show they can remember things for months.	misconception — a mistaken belief or idea (Clue: Contrast: a popular belief is proven wrong by studies.)
Even though the two teams were fierce rivals on the field, their meeting after the game was _____, with players shaking hands and sharing snacks.	amicable — friendly and peaceful (Clue: Contrast: fierce rivals, yet the meeting is warm and peaceful.)
An _____ supporter of the animal shelter, Mr. Diaz volunteered every weekend, donated much of his salary, and adopted three dogs himself.	ardent — very devoted and enthusiastic (Clue: Examples: volunteering, donating, and adopting show deep devotion.)
Fans were asked not to stand in the aisles, because they would _____ the path of anyone trying to reach the exits.	obstruct — to block a path or view (Clue: Cause and effect: people standing in aisles would block the way out.)
After three straight losses, the team's _____ was so low that the coach brought in a former champion to give an encouraging pep talk.	morale — the spirit and confidence of a group (Clue: Cause and effect: repeated losses leave the group discouraged and in need of a lift.)
An _____ reader, Kwame noticed a tiny clue on page ten that revealed the mystery's ending long before any of his classmates figured it out.	astute — sharp at noticing and understanding things (Clue: Description: spotting a tiny clue early shows sharp understanding.)
Bats use echoes to _____ insects flying in total darkness, finding their prey even when they cannot see it.	perceive — to notice or become aware of (Clue: Description: becoming aware of insects without seeing them.)
The old camping tent was so _____ that it took two people to carry it, so the family bought a lightweight one for their hiking trip.	cumbersome — large, heavy, and hard to carry or use (Clue: Contrast: a tent needing two carriers versus a lightweight one.)
After learning that her science project had been ruined by the leaky roof the night before the fair, Mei was _____ and refused to leave her room.	despondent — very sad and without hope (Clue: Cause and effect: a ruined project leaves her hopeless and withdrawn.)
Lila's _____ for joining the cooking club was simple: she wanted to learn to bake her grandfather's favorite bread for his birthday.	motive — a reason for doing something (Clue: Description: the sentence explains why she joined the club.)
To _____ the crying toddler, the flight attendant offered him a small stuffed bear and sang a soft lullaby until he fell asleep.	pacify — to calm someone who is upset (Clue: Cause and effect: comfort and a lullaby soothe the upset child.)
Unlike the dull speaker before her, the new principal was _____, striding across the stage, telling lively stories, and getting the whole audience to cheer.	dynamic — full of energy and new ideas (Clue: Contrast: unlike the dull speaker, she is full of energy.)
Despite her nervousness, Aisha gave a _____ speech about protecting the local wetlands, her voice trembling with emotion as she urged everyone to help.	fervent — showing very strong and sincere feeling (Clue: Description: a voice trembling with emotion shows strong, sincere feeling.)
Ancient sailors believed that a seagull landing on the ship's mast was a lucky _____ that meant calm seas lay ahead.	omen — a sign of something to come (Clue: Description: something believed to predict what will happen next.)
As soon as the cold front arrived, temperatures began to _____, dropping forty degrees in just a few hours.	plummet — to fall straight down very fast (Clue: Description: a forty-degree drop in a few hours is a steep, fast fall.)
With the rocket's countdown clock showing only ten seconds left, the launch was _____, and the crowd held its breath.	imminent — about to happen very soon (Clue: Description: ten seconds left means the launch is about to happen.)
When the announcer said the smallest runner had broken the state record, the crowd stared in _____ silence, sure they had misheard.	incredulous — unable to believe something (Clue: Description: being sure they misheard shows they cannot believe it.)
The underdog robotics team trailed for most of the competition, but thanks to a clever last-minute repair, they managed to _____ and take home the trophy.	prevail — to win or succeed after a struggle (Clue: Contrast: after trailing most of the way, the team wins in the end.)
Stuck for two days in an airport during a snowstorm, sleeping on hard chairs with almost no food, the travelers called their trip a true _____.	ordeal — a very painful or difficult experience (Clue: Description: two miserable days stranded is a long, painful experience.)
Ji-woo was _____ when the coach blamed her for the broken window, since she had been at the dentist when the ball was thrown.	indignant — angry about something unfair (Clue: Cause and effect: being blamed unfairly makes her angry.)
Lucas came up with an _____ way to water his plants on vacation: he hung upside-down bottles that slowly dripped water into each pot.	ingenious — very clever and original (Clue: Description: a clever, original solution to a tricky problem.)
Hoping to _____ their visit to the national park, the family called the lodge and asked whether they could stay three more nights.	prolong — to make something last longer (Clue: Cause and effect: staying more nights makes the visit last longer.)
It sounds like a _____, but it is true: the harder you pull your fingers out of a woven finger trap, the more tightly it holds them.	paradox — a true statement that seems self-contradictory (Clue: Description: something that seems impossible yet is true.)
Marcus answered the substitute teacher with an eye roll and a sarcastic remark; his _____ reply earned him a trip to the principal's office.	insolent — rudely disrespectful, especially toward someone in charge (Clue: Description: an eye roll and sarcasm toward a teacher show rude disrespect for authority.)
Usually the most energetic player on the team, Diego seemed _____ during practice, dragging his feet and barely bothering to chase the ball.	listless — lacking energy or interest (Clue: Contrast: "usually the most energetic" versus dragging his feet points to a lack of energy.)
When rumors of a ghost in the gym spread through the school, the principal tried to _____ the panic by inviting everyone to tour the room in daylight.	quell — put an end to; calm or crush (Clue: Cause and effect: the daylight tour is meant to put an end to the spreading panic.)
Selling handmade bracelets at the craft fair turned out to be so _____ that Amara earned enough money to buy a new bicycle by August.	lucrative — producing a lot of money or profit (Clue: Cause and effect: earning enough to buy a bike shows the business made a lot of money.)
Before meeting any of the players, Kenji had already decided the rival team was lazy, a _____ that vanished once he saw how hard they practiced.	prejudice — an unfair opinion formed without knowing the facts (Clue: Description: judging a team before meeting them is an unfair opinion formed without facts.)
Seeing how nervous her little brother was before his first swim lesson, Lena tried to _____ him by promising to wait right beside the pool.	reassure — make someone feel less worried (Clue: Cause and effect: her brother is nervous, so Lena's promise is meant to ease his worry.)
Once the library installed digital catalogs on every computer, the old wooden card drawers became _____, and the staff donated them to a local museum.	obsolete — no longer used because something newer exists (Clue: Cause and effect: new digital catalogs replaced the drawers, so nobody used them anymore.)
Although the marine biologist was barely known when she began her research, her discoveries about coral reefs eventually made her _____ throughout the world.	renowned — famous and widely admired (Clue: Contrast: "barely known" at first is the opposite of being admired worldwide later.)
Being chosen to perform at the famous concert hall carried enormous _____ for the young orchestra, earning them invitations and admiration from musicians everywhere.	prestige — respect earned through success or high rank (Clue: Cause and effect: the honor brought invitations and admiration, which is respect earned by success.)
Ava insisted that goldfish remember things for only three seconds, but Malik was able to _____ her claim with a study showing goldfish recalled a feeding signal for months.	refute — prove that a statement or idea is wrong (Clue: Description: evidence that contradicts Ava's claim proves it wrong.)
After a summer spent mostly playing video games on the sofa, Theo decided to change his _____ habits by joining the cross-country team.	sedentary — involving much sitting and little physical activity (Clue: Contrast: sofa gaming versus joining cross-country shows habits with little movement.)
Unlike his rambling ten-minute speech last year, Omar's campaign speech this time was _____, making every point clearly in under a minute.	succinct — brief and clearly expressed (Clue: Contrast: a rambling speech versus clear points in under a minute signals short and clear.)
By age seven, Mei could play difficult Mozart sonatas that many adult pianists struggled with, so newspapers began calling her a musical _____.	prodigy — a young person with exceptional talent (Clue: Description: a seven-year-old outplaying adults is a remarkably talented child.)
After leading the debate club for three years, Hannah agreed to _____ her role as president so that a younger member could gain experience.	relinquish — give up or let go of something (Clue: Cause and effect: so a younger member can lead, Hannah must give up her position.)
Ms. Alvarez asked students to trim their _____ essays, since many had used three long paragraphs to make a point that needed only one sentence.	verbose — using more words than needed (Clue: Description: three paragraphs for a one-sentence point means using too many words.)
After years of practice in the school workshop, Rafael became so _____ at woodworking that teachers asked him to help beginners with tricky cuts.	adept — very skilled (Clue: Cause and effect: years of practice and helping beginners show great skill.)
After the bake sale emptied the cafeteria's supply cabinet, the student council had to _____ the flour, sugar, and paper plates before the next event.	replenish — fill up again after being used (Clue: Cause and effect: an emptied cabinet must be filled up again before the next event.)
The _____ of singing alone in front of the entire school made Nadia so nervous that she practiced her song every night for a month.	prospect — the possibility of something happening in the future (Clue: Description: a future event she worries about ahead of time is a possibility she imagines.)
For pioneer families, crossing the Rocky Mountains by wagon was truly _____; they pushed through deep snow, steep trails, and weeks of exhaustion.	arduous — requiring great effort; very difficult (Clue: Examples: deep snow, steep trails, and exhaustion show the trip took enormous effort.)
Jun reads at breakfast, on the bus, and under his blanket with a flashlight, so few readers in his class are as _____ as he is.	avid — very eager and enthusiastic (Clue: Examples: reading everywhere, even late at night, shows great enthusiasm.)
When the lab partners left a gas burner on unattended, the science teacher had to _____ them sternly and remind the class about safety rules.	reprimand — scold someone formally for doing wrong (Clue: Cause and effect: breaking a safety rule leads the teacher to scold them sternly.)
Although the novel includes dozens of characters, the story is told through the eyes of its _____, a young inventor named Zara whose adventures drive every chapter.	protagonist — the main character in a story (Clue: Description: the character whose adventures drive every chapter is the main character.)
Though the bright red beetle looked dangerous, the park ranger explained that it was completely _____ and would not hurt anyone who held it.	benign — harmless; not dangerous (Clue: Contrast: it looked dangerous but would not hurt anyone, so it is harmless.)
After the other team's fans booed during her free throws, Coach Kim urged her players not to _____ but to answer with good sportsmanship instead.	retaliate — strike back after being harmed or insulted (Clue: Contrast: "but answer with good sportsmanship" is the opposite of paying the fans back.)
In a _____ move that shocked the whole picnic, the seagull strutted across the table and grabbed a hot dog right out of Ethan's hand.	brazen — bold and shameless (Clue: Description: openly snatching food with no fear and shocking everyone shows shameless boldness.)
While everyone else rushed to help the boy who had tripped, Grant just laughed and kept walking, a _____ reaction that upset his classmates.	callous — not caring about others' feelings (Clue: Contrast: others help while Grant laughs, showing he does not care about others' pain.)
Because Mr. Okafor learned every student's name and asked about their hobbies, he quickly developed a warm _____ with his new class.	rapport — a friendly, understanding relationship (Clue: Cause and effect: learning names and hobbies builds a friendly, understanding relationship.)
Realizing she had left her science project on the bus, Isabel raced to the depot to _____ it before the driver began his next route.	retrieve — get something back; bring back (Clue: Cause and effect: she left her project behind, so she hurries to get it back.)
After the printer jammed for the sixth time in ten minutes, Mr. Chen threw up his hands, completely _____ with the stubborn machine.	exasperated — very annoyed and frustrated (Clue: Cause and effect: repeated jams and thrown-up hands show intense annoyance.)
Rather than planning carefully, Sofia made the _____ decision to cut her own bangs five minutes before school photos, and she instantly regretted it.	impetuous — acting quickly without thinking first (Clue: Contrast: "rather than planning carefully" plus instant regret shows acting without thinking.)
Every year the two neighboring towns compete fiercely to grow the largest pumpkin, a friendly _____ that draws huge crowds to the autumn fair.	rivalry — competition between two people or groups (Clue: Description: two towns competing fiercely every year is an ongoing competition.)
When Aiden announced he would build a walking robot for the science fair, his older cousins began to _____, but they stopped laughing when it actually walked.	scoff — laugh at or mock something as foolish (Clue: Contrast: "stopped laughing" shows they had been mocking the idea at first.)
Unlike his sister, who could fix any bike, Jonah was so _____ with tools that he once loosened the wrong bolt and the wheel fell off.	inept — lacking skill; clumsy (Clue: Contrast: a sister who can fix anything versus Jonah's blunder shows lack of skill.)
