LLEESSSSOONN 1 Nouns to Know Read Words in Context Race for the North Pole Vocabulary Words advantage obstacle The race was on! In 1909 in agent precaution the far north, Matthew Henson and challenge pursuit Robert Peary struggled against icy foundation rival blasts of wind. They traveled in a genius scheme mainland target special vehicle—a dog sled— mechanic vehicle because cars and trucks could not nuisance pass across the frozen Arctic Ocean. That’s because the foundation of the ocean is an unsteady base of gleaming ice chunks. Word Learning Tip! Their progress was slow and difficult. Icy winds prevented A noun is a word that names them from seeing. Huge boulders of ice blocked their path. Because a person,place,or thing. of these obstacles, the men couldn’t tell if they were on the Often a noun comes right mainland, on an island, or on the frozen ocean. after the little words a,an, or the. A noun often comes The bitter cold was more than a nuisance. It was a huge before a verb,too. Sometimes challenge, something to overcome. Frostbite was an ever-present a noun ends in -s,-es,or -ies. danger. As a precaution, the men wore thick fur jackets, hats, and You can use these clues to gloves to protect them from the biting wind. determine if an unknown word Their target was the North Pole. They wanted to be the first is a noun and if it names a person,place,or thing. to reach this goal. This was their fifth attempt! Would their scheme, or plan, work this time? Now they had a rival, another explorer Vocabulary named Frederick Cook. He, too, wanted to be the first to reach the Building Strategy North Pole. Cook was in close pursuit, just a little behind them. Use Context Clues You can Henson and Peary had two advantages. First, they got a lot often find the meaning of of help from the Inuit people of the Arctic. Henson knew their nouns you don’t know by language and could talk easily with them because he had worked using context clues. Read the with them as an agent, making deals for food and other supplies. sentence and think about the meanings of all the words to Second, Henson was a genius when it came to fixing things. He was get a clue to the unknown so clever and gifted at this that he served as the group’s mechanic, word’s meaning. Look for repairing all the equipment. synonyms (words that mean On April 6, 1909, Matthew Henson and Robert Peary succeeded the same thing) or phrases in being the first to reach the North Pole! They shouted in joy, raised that give definitions. the American flag, and then started the long journey home. 6 Chapter 1 • Context Clues Powerful Vocabulary for Reading Success: Grade 5 © Scholastic Teaching Resources LLEESSSSOONN Nouns to Know 1 Connect Words and Meanings advantage foundation mechanic precaution scheme agent genius nuisance pursuit target challenge mainland obstacle rival vehicle Directions Find the word that matches each description. Then use the words to fill in the blanks. After you have completed the entire puzzle, you will see another vocabulary word when you read down the squares. Write this word in the blank beside item 10. Word Meaning 1. person who arranges things for other people or represents other people 2. base; the basis on which something stands 3. something used to carry people or objects over land or sea or through the air 4. something difficult that requires extra effort or work to do 5. a bother or annoyance 6. goal or something that is aimed at 7. the largest mass of land of a country or continent 8. an unusually intelligent and gifted person 9. person skilled at repairing machinery 10. something that helps a person or gives a person a better chance Continued on next page Lesson 1 • Nouns to Know 7 Powerful Vocabulary for Reading Success: Grade 5 © Scholastic Teaching Resources LLEESSSSOONN 1 Nouns to Know Connect More Words and Meanings advantage foundation mechanic precaution scheme agent genius nuisance pursuit target challenge mainland obstacle rival vehicle Directions Read each meaning. Circle the letter of the word that best fits this meaning. 11. a plan or plot to do something A. genius B. agent C. mechanic D.scheme 12. barrier A. pursuit B. target C. obstacle D.precaution 13. someone or something that is an opponent or competitor A. rival B. mechanic C. agent D.genius 14. the act or instance of chasing someone or something A. challenge B. pursuit C. vehicle D.mainland 15. action taken ahead of time to prevent something dangerous from happening A. precaution B. foundation C. advantage D.pursuit Directions Use your knowledge of word meanings to fill in the blanks in each sentence. Write the correct vocabulary words in the blanks. 16. One business might try to come up with a to get an over another business. 17. A works hard to make sure a is in safe condition. 18. Ramon and his Jason each tried to jump over the on the track. Create a Chant Using at least three of your vocabulary words, work with some classmates to create a song, chant, or rhyme. You can use the melody of a song you know, such as “Happy Birthday” or “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” or make up your own tune. 8 Chapter 1 • Context Clues Powerful Vocabulary for Reading Success: Grade 5 © Scholastic Teaching Resources LLEESSSSOONN Nouns to Know 1 Use Words in Context advantage foundation mechanic precaution scheme agent genius nuisance pursuit target challenge mainland obstacle rival vehicle Directions Use your vocabulary words to name the two things in each item below. First, be sure you know what each word in boldface means. Then write your answers on the blanks. 1. Name two reasons why you would want to travel in a vehicle such as a car while exploring a new place. ________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Name two things that would give you an advantage so that you would have a better chance while exploring. ______________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Name two obstacles that could prevent you from exploring a new place. ______________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Name two precautions that you would take to keep safe while you explore. ____________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Name two things that could be a nuisance or bother to you while you are exploring. ____________________________________________________________________________________ 6. Name two challenges you might face or have to overcome while exploring a new place. ____________________________________________________________________________________ 7. Name two targets you would want to reach while exploring. ________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ 8. Name two reasons to explore the mainland rather than an island. ____________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Letter in a Bottle Imagine that you’ve gotten lost while exploring. Write a rescue note. Give enough information so that someone could find you. Include as many of your vocabulary words as you can. Try to use two new nouns, too. Underline the new nouns that you use. Lesson 1 • Nouns to Know 9 Powerful Vocabulary for Reading Success: Grade 5 © Scholastic Teaching Resources