Grades 9–10: List 5

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
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. logical
    marked by an orderly and coherent relation of parts
    He also talked about the importance of logical progression, of an action being a direct consequence of the preceding one.The Guardian (Jun 21, 2013)
  2. progression
    a series with a definite pattern of advance
    He also talked about the importance of logical progression, of an action being a direct consequence of the preceding one.The Guardian (Jun 21, 2013)
  3. sequence
    a following of one thing after another in time
    I am trying, trying to hold on to the sequence in my brain.The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle
  4. motive
    the reason that arouses action toward a desired goal
    In short, how to plan, how to serve and how to behave at these meals, is the author's motive in writing the book. American Cookery
  5. multiple
    having or involving more than one part or entity
    A language has plenty of room for multiple meanings, including the ones that good writers hope to preserve.The Sense of Style
  6. meaning
    the message that is intended or expressed or signified
    I pulled up my Latin dictionary to double-check the definition, and that was when I discovered the word had more than one meaning.Ready Player One: A Novel
  7. narrative
    an account that tells the particulars of an act or event
    He then created narratives about immigrants building their lives in New York City.New York Times (Jun 15, 2022)
  8. observation
    the act of noticing or paying attention
    What other observations do you have about his character?Salon (Jul 7, 2022)
  9. paraphrase
    express the same message in different words
    The italicized language in the description of the referenced text exchange is paraphrased, not directly quoted.Educated
  10. plagiarism
    taking someone's words or ideas as if they were your own
    “The way you avoid plagiarism isn’t to ‘change the language’ but to never have that language in your original work in the first place,” he wrote.New York Times (May 10, 2022)
  11. plagiarize
    take without referencing from someone's writing or speech
    It was heavily plagiarized from a work written thirty years earlier by the Oneida Community’s founder.Ambushed!
  12. plot
    the story that is told, as in a novel, play, movie, etc.
    He describes the plot without giving too many details.I Can Make This Promise
  13. write
    produce a literary work
    “Just write your story in your own words,” she said.Lawn Boy Returns
  14. precise
    characterized by perfect conformity to fact or truth
    The language is simple, clear and precise, making it easy for children to understand all the various ways they could take part in making a great exhibition.New York Times (Nov 12, 2021)
  15. concise
    expressing much in few words
    He said in a statement that the language is clear, concise and complete.Washington Times (Apr 10, 2017)
  16. choice
    the act of selecting
    The article was more interesting for its word choices than for its content.Washington Post (Mar 21, 2022)
  17. presentation
    a show or display
    Ms. Washington let me turn the classroom into a pretend baseball field for my oral presentation on a famous inventor.A High Five for Glenn Burke
  18. punctuate
    insert marks to clarify meaning
    “Of course I punctuate my text messages, I did A-level English,” one young man explained, with a look of scorn.Eats, Shoots & Leaves
  19. punctuation
    marks clarifying meaning by indicating separation of words
    The semicolon is one of the most useful but least used punctuation marks.Woe Is I
  20. quotation
    a passage or expression that is cited
    All quotations were either from the Bible or Shakespeare.The Westing Game
Created on July 20, 2022 (updated August 30, 2022)

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