Home / English / Printables / Grade 1 / Work the Word Out Work the Word Out is a free printable Grade 1 English worksheet on using the sentence around a word to get its meaning, aligned to Common Core standard L.1.4. It prints 8 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two pupils in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.
One paper per pupil
Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.
Tick the right meaning.
1. The startled rabbit shot into the hedge. What does "startled" mean here?
A. fast asleep B. very pleased C. slowly bored D. suddenly surprised 2. She had to peer through the dusty glass. What does "peer" mean here?
A. to look hard at something B. to shout out loud C. to sit down D. to run past 3. There was a faint smell of smoke. What does "faint" mean here?
A. very sweet B. hard to see or hear C. very quick D. very strong 4. A swift stream ran past the mill. What does "swift" mean here?
A. going backwards B. moving very slowly C. standing still D. moving very fast 5. A vast field stretched to the horizon. What does "vast" mean here?
A. very steep B. extremely small C. extremely large in area D. very crowded 6. She heard him murmur something to the dog. What does "murmur" mean here?
A. to sing a song B. to shout very loudly C. to laugh out loud D. to speak very quietly 7. He held the ladder steady while she climbed. What does "steady" mean here?
A. moving fast B. very cold C. not wobbling D. shaking a lot 8. He wore a shabby old coat with a torn pocket. What does "shabby" mean here?
A. brand new and smart B. very expensive C. worn out and untidy D. very warm LessonPrint · L.1.4 · Set 11 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Work the Word Out Set 11. Prints on its own sheet.
1. suddenly surprised 2. to look hard at something 3. hard to see or hear 4. moving very fast 5. extremely large in area 6. to speak very quietly 7. not wobbling 8. worn out and untidy Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to L.1.4 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.