Grade 5: List 3

Vocabulary is key to performing well on Common Core-aligned tests for English Language Arts as well as for building literacy in social studies, science, and technical subjects. This collection features common tier-2 words that are taught and tested at every grade level. These words are used in a variety of contexts, exhibit different shades of meaning based on those contexts, and appear commonly in classroom instruction and on standardized assessments.

Here are links to our lists for the collection: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5, List 6, List 7, List 8
20 words 101 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. descriptive
    serving to inform
    Objects are frequently small, and it isn’t always easy to find the descriptive information that explains them.Washington Post (Sep 14, 2016)
  2. realistic
    aware or expressing awareness of things as they are
    On the trip their ship is sunk by a U-boat and their adventures are realistic descriptions of the tragedies of the sea. Baseball Joe On The School Nine
  3. determine
    reach, make, or come to a decision about something
    Helmuth weighs this answer, tries hard to determine if reading a banned book could harm another person.The Boy Who Dared
  4. develop
    elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses
    As I studied it, I began to develop a theory: Somewhere in the OASIS, Halliday had re-created the Tomb of Horrors, and he’d hidden the Copper Key inside it.Ready Player One: A Novel
  5. evidence
    knowledge on which to base belief
    There’s enough “primary source” evidence—the newspaper and journal—to piece all that together.Fast Pitch
  6. elaboration
    a discussion that provides additional information
    His only elaboration had been that they were “delightful people.”The Incredible Journey
  7. dialogue
    a conversation between two persons
    That was the dialogue I overheard earlier, between Judith and Mina.Girl in the Blue Coat
  8. dictionary entry
    the entry in a dictionary of information about a word
    When you see the word you’re looking for in the search list, a single tap takes you to its main dictionary entry.New York Times (Apr 24, 2013)
  9. dictionary
    a reference book containing an alphabetical list of words
    Some words take on new, unexpected definitions that you can’t find in the dictionary.The Science of Breakable Things
  10. entry
    an item inserted in a written record
    There are no journal entries for July 31 or August 1.Into the Wild
  11. draft
    any of the various versions in the development of a work
    I decided to write a draft of a letter back to Marcus in the journal.From the Desk of Zoe Washington
  12. edit
    prepare for publication or presentation by revising
    Using one of her dad’s purple editing pencils, she corrected the misspellings like he did, marking through the incorrect letter and writing the correct one above.Book Scavenger
  13. effective
    producing or capable of producing an intended result
    Writing 3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.Music and the Child
  14. beginning
    the first part or section of something
    None of us knew yet how many endings and beginnings one story could have.Harbor Me
  15. ending
    the last section of a communication
    None of us knew yet how many endings and beginnings one story could have.Harbor Me
  16. elaborate
    add details, as to an account or idea
    Please elaborate here on any additional compliments or criticisms you may have of this teacher.The Secret History
  17. error
    part of a statement that is not correct
    It wasn’t Prince’s fault there were errors in Moore’s book!Carry On, Mr. Bowditch
  18. essay
    an analytic or interpretive literary composition
    A couple weeks ago we got an assignment: Write an essay about someone you know.Crash
  19. event
    something that happens at a given place and time
    “Instead of a protest, why don’t we organize an event? Something that makes people think and talk and learn,” Hena says.Finding Junie Kim
  20. example
    an item of information that is typical of a class or group
    “Now, who can give an example of something that would be a personal attack, of what you shouldn’t do?”The Benefits of Being an Octopus
Created on July 5, 2022 (updated August 30, 2022)

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