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Class 8 English — Vocabulary in context

Work out what an unfamiliar word means from the sentence around it.

Name: ________________________

  1. 1."The instructions were ambiguous, so half the class did the wrong task." What does "ambiguous" mean?

    • a) very clear
    • b) written down
    • c) spoken loudly
    • d) open to more than one meaning

  2. 2."The room was immaculate — not a speck of dust anywhere." What does "immaculate" mean?

    • a) very dark
    • b) perfectly clean
    • c) newly built
    • d) very large

  3. 3.Match each word to its meaning.

    • reluctant
    • abundant
    • vivid
    • fragile
    • weary
    • cautious
    • easily broken
    • careful about danger
    • bright and clear
    • present in large amounts
    • very tired
    • unwilling to do something

  4. 4."The judge was impartial and favoured neither side." Which single word in that sentence means "fair to both sides"?

  5. 5."He spoke in a feeble voice that we could barely hear." What does "feeble" mean?

    • a) loud
    • b) weak
    • c) angry
    • d) cheerful

  6. 6."The path was so narrow that we had to walk in single file." What does "narrow" mean here?

    • a) muddy
    • b) not wide
    • c) wide
    • d) steep

  7. 7."After the long march the soldiers were famished, and ate everything on the table." What does "famished" mean?

    • a) very quiet
    • b) very tired
    • c) very angry
    • d) very hungry

  8. 8."The old man walked slowly, leaning on a stick for support." Which single word in that sentence means "help to stay upright"?

Answer key — Class 8 English — Vocabulary in context

  1. 1. d) open to more than one meaning
  2. 2. b) perfectly clean
  3. 3. reluctant → unwilling to do something; abundant → present in large amounts; vivid → bright and clear; fragile → easily broken; weary → very tired; cautious → careful about danger
  4. 4. impartial
  5. 5. b) weak
  6. 6. b) not wide
  7. 7. d) very hungry
  8. 8. support