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Comprehension
Lesson 14		 Interpreting Vocabulary
  Objectives/Vocab/Tips > Examples 1 | 2 | 3 > Practice: 1 | 2 | 3 > Self Check
Example 1:

To use some of the tips and tools we reviewed, let's work with some new words or phrases and explore their meaning from the context, or words surrounding them.

Instruction:

Click on the book icon to the right to read the informational selection, "The Ups and Downs of Space Travel," by Jack Myers. Then keep the passage open while we go through the question and explanations.

Question:

This selection talks about microgravity. Which phrase best gives the meaning of microgravity?


The Ups and Downs
of Space Travel

Remember to:

  • Read the question before reading the passage.
  • Consider carefully all words, phrases, and even sentences surrounding the explanation of microgravity.

Think:

  • What are the key words in this question? (best, meaning)
  • What is this question asking me to do? (determine the best meaning for microgravity from the information in the text).
  • Which choices can you eliminate right away, and which are possibly correct answers? Remember the "YES, NO, MAYBE" tool.

Multiple Choice Answers:

Yes
No
Maybe
  
Answers
A. No gravity
B. Little gravity
C. Normal gravity
D. Much gravity

First let's review the section of the passage where we find microgravity defined. Paragraph three states:

Actually there may be no such thing as zero gravity. Astronauts in satellites orbiting Earth are living in microgravity--about a millionth of the gravity at Earth's surface. It's so small that there is no feeling of up or down.

Now, which definition best explains the meaning of microgravity?

  1. No gravity
    The passages says, "Actually there may be no such thing as zero gravity." You would choose NO for this response.

  2. Little gravity
    The passages says, "It's so small that there is no feeling of up or down." Small and little are synonyms. This is a good answer, but is it the best? We need to check the other answers to be sure.

  3. Normal gravity
    The passages says microgravity is, "about a millionth of the gravity at Earth's surface." If gravity is normal at the Earth's surface, microgravity is not normal. You would choose NO for this response.

  4. Much gravity
    The passages says, "It's so small that there is no feeling of up or down." Small and "much" are opposites. You would choose NO for this response.

Answer B remains the best choice for this question.

Example 2 >>

 
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