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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 14 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.Frequent showers kept the garden green. What does "frequent" mean here?
  • A.happening very quietly
  • B.happening often
  • C.happening very slowly
  • D.happening almost never
2.Scientists observe the birds every morning. What does "observe" mean here?
  • A.to build quickly
  • B.to argue about
  • C.to ignore completely
  • D.to watch carefully
3.Water became scarce during the long dry summer. What does "scarce" mean here?
  • A.hard to find; not enough
  • B.easy to find everywhere
  • C.extremely heavy
  • D.brightly coloured
4.A fierce wind bent the young trees. What does "fierce" mean here?
  • A.warm and dry
  • B.soft and gentle
  • C.violent and frightening
  • D.slow and steady
5.The noise gradually faded as the train left. What does "gradually" mean here?
  • A.in a straight line
  • B.slowly, a little at a time
  • C.very loudly
  • D.all at once
6.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
7.Rain was abundant that spring, so the crops grew fast. What does "abundant" mean here?
  • A.very rare
  • B.very small
  • C.very late
  • D.present in large amounts
8.He gave a reluctant nod and picked up the bag. What does "reluctant" mean here?
  • A.loud and proud
  • B.unwilling and hesitating
  • C.cold and damp
  • D.quick and willing

LessonPrint · RI.3.4 · Set 14 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Academic Vocabulary

Set 14. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.happening often
  2. 2.to watch carefully
  3. 3.hard to find; not enough
  4. 4.violent and frightening
  5. 5.slowly, a little at a time
  6. 6.belonging to the very distant past
  7. 7.present in large amounts
  8. 8.unwilling and hesitating

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