Grades 9–10: List 2

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 in Grades 9 and 10. 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 430 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. audience
    the part of the general public interested in something
    These artists drew on popular culture and aimed for a larger audience.New York Times (Jul 14, 2022)
  2. writer
    a person who authors works professionally
    Mom was also a writer and was always typing away on novels, short stories, plays, poetry, fables, and children’s books, which she illustrated herself.The Glass Castle
  3. author
    a person who writes professionally
    “You know I love to write. You know I want to be an author or a journalist someday!”Keep It Together, Keiko Carter
  4. intent
    the planned meaning of a communication
    They asked how I had got out of Pulefen Farm and into Karhide, and they asked the destination and intent of the code message I had sent on their radio.The Left Hand of Darkness
  5. message
    what a communication that is about something is about
    I am never clear on what messages or lessons readers get from my books.Salon (Feb 13, 2022)
  6. point of view
    a mental position from which things are perceived
    I like debates where you argue about different points of view.Feed
  7. purpose
    an anticipated outcome that guides your planned actions
    Yet this book too is driven by a serious historical purpose, showing us the micro-changes in the landscape of Harlem and the prospects of Black Americans in the North in the 1960s.New York Times (Sep 14, 2021)
  8. blog
    an online journal where people post about their experiences
    I had written several more posts on my blog—mostly stuff about the park, school, tarantulas, and how I do things without arms.Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus
  9. capitalization
    the use of uppercase letters
    Also, you may change capitalization and punctuation however you like.Washington Post (Nov 13, 2019)
  10. central
    serving as an essential component
    The role of Olivia—an important role, central to the play—was never mine.It All Comes Down to This
  11. idea
    the content of cognition
    I still had to think of a scientific question, and maybe I could get some ideas from one of Mom’s books.The Science of Breakable Things
  12. character
    an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction
    She’d make a great friend to a character in a book, or in one of Dad’s plays.Because of Mr. Terupt
  13. action
    something done (usually as opposed to something said)
    She jumped into action, getting me to the wagon with John’s help.Worth
  14. interaction
    mutual or reciprocal dealings or influence
    In every interaction with kids at school, I always worry about saying the right thing, being the right way.A Place at the Table
  15. relationship
    a mutual connection between people
    Jason always tried to build a good relationship with the people on his team.The House of Hades
  16. clarify
    make clear and comprehensible
    You need information, and this will clarify the situation.Washington Post (Jan 28, 2019)
  17. clause
    an expression including a subject and predicate
    Several clauses are joined or embedded in a sentence; several sentences make up a paragraph; several paragraphs make up a section, several sections a chapter, several chapters a book.The Sense of Style
  18. compare
    consider or describe as similar, equal, or analogous
    It’s fun to compare Cairo to Lahore and realize how so many things are similar.Amina's Song
  19. contrast
    put in opposition to show or emphasize differences
    If you’re comparing or contrasting things, use than, as in more than or less than.Woe Is I
  20. comparison
    the act of examining resemblances
    With those three samples I could make comparisons.Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Created on July 20, 2022 (updated August 30, 2022)

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