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 1 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
1.A fierce wind bent the young trees. What does "fierce" mean here?
A.slow and steady
B.soft and gentle
C.warm and dry
D.violent and frightening
2.Do not hesitate to ask if you are stuck. What does "hesitate" mean here?
A.to act at once
B.to speak loudly
C.to run away
D.to pause before acting
3.Frequent showers kept the garden green. What does "frequent" mean here?
A.happening almost never
B.happening often
C.happening very quietly
D.happening very slowly
4.Water became scarce during the long dry summer. What does "scarce" mean here?
A.brightly coloured
B.easy to find everywhere
C.extremely heavy
D.hard to find; not enough
5.The noise gradually faded as the train left. What does "gradually" mean here?
A.very loudly
B.in a straight line
C.slowly, a little at a time
D.all at once
6.An enormous crowd filled the square. What does "enormous" mean here?
A.extremely few
B.extremely quiet
C.extremely sudden
D.extremely large in size
7.He gave a reluctant nod and picked up the bag. What does "reluctant" mean here?
A.cold and damp
B.unwilling and hesitating
C.quick and willing
D.loud and proud
8.Rain was abundant that spring, so the crops grew fast. What does "abundant" mean here?
A.very late
B.very small
C.very rare
D.present in large amounts
LessonPrint · RI.3.4 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Academic Vocabulary
Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.
1.violent and frightening
2.to pause before acting
3.happening often
4.hard to find; not enough
5.slowly, a little at a time
6.extremely large in size
7.unwilling and hesitating
8.present in large amounts
Questions about Academic Vocabulary
What does the Academic Vocabulary worksheet cover?
It practises choosing what a subject word means in a sentence — 8 questions for Grade 3, all on Common Core RI.3.4: Work out what a subject-specific word means in this text. The instruction to pupils is “Tick the right meaning”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.
Which Common Core standard does Academic Vocabulary practise?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.4 — RI.3.4, in the Reading: Informational Text domain for Grade 3. The published standard reads: “Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 3 topic or subject area.” The worksheet assesses that standard rather than a paraphrase of it.
What age or grade is this worksheet for?
Academic Vocabulary is written for Grade 3, typically ages 8-9. It is one of the sheets on RI.3.4, so it suits any pupil working at that standard — including older pupils revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.
Does Academic Vocabulary come with an answer key?
Yes. All 8 answers are generated from the same problems as the questions, so the key cannot drift out of step with the sheet. It starts on a fresh sheet of paper, after the questions, so it is not handed out with the class by accident.
How many different versions of Academic Vocabulary can I print?
25 — one per pupil, and all 25 ask different questions. Set 1 downloads the whole class as a single PDF. Every version is fixed to its own address, so a sheet printed today holds the same problems when you reopen it next week.
Is Academic Vocabulary free to print and photocopy?
Yes. Academic Vocabulary, its answer key and its 25 versions are free to print and photocopy for your own class, with no account, no email capture and no subscription at the download step. Please do not resell them or republish them as your own.
More practice for RI.3.4
Work out what a subject-specific word means in this text.