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Academic Vocabulary is a free printable Grade 3 English worksheet on choosing what a subject word means in a sentence, aligned to Common Core standard RI.3.4. 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 13 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.

Academic Vocabulary

RI.3.4

NameDate

Tick the right meaning.

1.Water became scarce during the long dry summer. What does "scarce" mean here?
  • A.brightly coloured
  • B.hard to find; not enough
  • C.extremely heavy
  • D.easy to find everywhere
2.The noise gradually faded as the train left. What does "gradually" mean here?
  • A.very loudly
  • B.all at once
  • C.in a straight line
  • D.slowly, a little at a time
3.Do not hesitate to ask if you are stuck. What does "hesitate" mean here?
  • A.to speak loudly
  • B.to run away
  • C.to act at once
  • D.to pause before acting
4.Scientists observe the birds every morning. What does "observe" mean here?
  • A.to build quickly
  • B.to ignore completely
  • C.to watch carefully
  • D.to argue about
5.Ancient people painted these caves. What does "ancient" mean here?
  • A.made this year
  • B.very small
  • C.belonging to the very distant past
  • D.very expensive
6.A sturdy fence kept the sheep in the field. What does "sturdy" mean here?
  • A.easily knocked over
  • B.strongly built
  • C.recently washed
  • D.brightly painted
7.A fierce wind bent the young trees. What does "fierce" mean here?
  • A.slow and steady
  • B.soft and gentle
  • C.warm and dry
  • D.violent and frightening
8.Frequent showers kept the garden green. What does "frequent" mean here?
  • A.happening almost never
  • B.happening very slowly
  • C.happening very quietly
  • D.happening often

LessonPrint · RI.3.4 · Set 13 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Academic Vocabulary

Set 13. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.hard to find; not enough
  2. 2.slowly, a little at a time
  3. 3.to pause before acting
  4. 4.to watch carefully
  5. 5.belonging to the very distant past
  6. 6.strongly built
  7. 7.violent and frightening
  8. 8.happening often

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to RI.3.4 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.