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. They squeezed along the narrow path. What does "narrow" mean here?
A. not wide B. very wide C. very tall D. very warm 2. 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 3. He wore a shabby old coat with a torn pocket. What does "shabby" mean here?
A. brand new and smart B. very warm C. worn out and untidy D. very expensive 4. A vast field stretched to the horizon. What does "vast" mean here?
A. very crowded B. extremely large in area C. very steep D. extremely small 5. The startled rabbit shot into the hedge. What does "startled" mean here?
A. very pleased B. suddenly surprised C. fast asleep D. slowly bored 6. They came home drenched after the storm. What does "drenched" mean here?
A. completely dry B. completely soaked C. very early D. very warm 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. There was a faint smell of smoke. What does "faint" mean here?
A. very quick B. very sweet C. very strong D. hard to see or hear LessonPrint · L.1.4 · Set 25 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Work the Word Out Set 25. Prints on its own sheet.
1. not wide 2. moving very fast 3. worn out and untidy 4. extremely large in area 5. suddenly surprised 6. completely soaked 7. not wobbling 8. hard to see or hear Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to L.1.4 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.