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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.

Set 21 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

Work the Word Out

L.1.4

NameDate

Tick the right meaning.

1.The startled rabbit shot into the hedge. What does "startled" mean here?
  • A.very pleased
  • B.slowly bored
  • C.suddenly surprised
  • D.fast asleep
2.The crisp leaves crunched under their boots. What does "crisp" mean here?
  • A.warm and soft
  • B.smooth and shiny
  • C.wet and floppy
  • D.dry and firm enough to snap
3.He wore a shabby old coat with a torn pocket. What does "shabby" mean here?
  • A.worn out and untidy
  • B.very expensive
  • C.very warm
  • D.brand new and smart
4.They squeezed along the narrow path. What does "narrow" mean here?
  • A.very warm
  • B.very tall
  • C.very wide
  • D.not wide
5.There was a faint smell of smoke. What does "faint" mean here?
  • A.very sweet
  • B.very quick
  • C.hard to see or hear
  • D.very strong
6.She had to peer through the dusty glass. What does "peer" mean here?
  • A.to sit down
  • B.to look hard at something
  • C.to shout out loud
  • D.to run past
7.A swift stream ran past the mill. What does "swift" mean here?
  • A.going backwards
  • B.moving very fast
  • C.standing still
  • D.moving very slowly
8.They began to gather sticks for the fire. What does "gather" mean here?
  • A.to fall over
  • B.to throw things away
  • C.to run in circles
  • D.to collect things together

LessonPrint · L.1.4 · Set 21 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Work the Word Out

Set 21. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.suddenly surprised
  2. 2.dry and firm enough to snap
  3. 3.worn out and untidy
  4. 4.not wide
  5. 5.hard to see or hear
  6. 6.to look hard at something
  7. 7.moving very fast
  8. 8.to collect things together

More practice for L.1.4

Work out a new word from the sentence around it or from its parts.

Teaching this next? Working Out a New Word is the 40-minute plan for it, with the misconceptions to expect.

All Grade 1 worksheets

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to L.1.4 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.