Skip to content
LessonPrint

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

Next set

One paper per pupil

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425

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.Do not hesitate to ask if you are stuck. What does "hesitate" mean here?
  • A.to speak loudly
  • B.to run away
  • C.to pause before acting
  • D.to act at once
2.He gave a reluctant nod and picked up the bag. What does "reluctant" mean here?
  • A.cold and damp
  • B.unwilling and hesitating
  • C.loud and proud
  • D.quick and willing
3.Scientists observe the birds every morning. What does "observe" mean here?
  • A.to watch carefully
  • B.to argue about
  • C.to build quickly
  • D.to ignore completely
4.A fierce wind bent the young trees. What does "fierce" mean here?
  • A.violent and frightening
  • B.slow and steady
  • C.soft and gentle
  • D.warm and dry
5.The shallow end of the pool came up to her knees. What does "shallow" mean here?
  • A.extremely cold
  • B.extremely wide
  • C.not deep
  • D.extremely deep
6.Water became scarce during the long dry summer. What does "scarce" mean here?
  • A.extremely heavy
  • B.easy to find everywhere
  • C.hard to find; not enough
  • D.brightly coloured
7.The noise gradually faded as the train left. What does "gradually" mean here?
  • A.all at once
  • B.in a straight line
  • C.very loudly
  • D.slowly, a little at a time
8.Ancient people painted these caves. What does "ancient" mean here?
  • A.made this year
  • B.belonging to the very distant past
  • C.very small
  • D.very expensive

LessonPrint · RI.3.4 · Set 17 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Academic Vocabulary

Set 17. Prints on its own sheet.

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

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