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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 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.

Academic Vocabulary

RI.3.4

NameDate

Tick the right meaning.

1.Ancient people painted these caves. What does "ancient" mean here?
  • A.very small
  • B.belonging to the very distant past
  • C.made this year
  • D.very expensive
2.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.brightly coloured
  • D.extremely heavy
3.He gave a reluctant nod and picked up the bag. What does "reluctant" mean here?
  • A.unwilling and hesitating
  • B.quick and willing
  • C.cold and damp
  • D.loud and proud
4.Do not hesitate to ask if you are stuck. What does "hesitate" mean here?
  • A.to pause before acting
  • B.to run away
  • C.to speak loudly
  • D.to act at once
5.An enormous crowd filled the square. What does "enormous" mean here?
  • A.extremely sudden
  • B.extremely large in size
  • C.extremely few
  • D.extremely quiet
6.A sturdy fence kept the sheep in the field. What does "sturdy" mean here?
  • A.strongly built
  • B.recently washed
  • C.easily knocked over
  • D.brightly painted
7.Frequent showers kept the garden green. What does "frequent" mean here?
  • A.happening very slowly
  • B.happening often
  • C.happening almost never
  • D.happening very quietly
8.The noise gradually faded as the train left. What does "gradually" mean here?
  • A.very loudly
  • B.all at once
  • C.slowly, a little at a time
  • D.in a straight line

LessonPrint · RI.3.4 · Set 21 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Academic Vocabulary

Set 21. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.belonging to the very distant past
  2. 2.hard to find; not enough
  3. 3.unwilling and hesitating
  4. 4.to pause before acting
  5. 5.extremely large in size
  6. 6.strongly built
  7. 7.happening often
  8. 8.slowly, a little at a time

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