7thL5
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Page 01
Vocabulary Lesson 05
Words in Context:
The First Americans- American Indians and Their Horses
The horse forever changed the live of American Indians. Hunting became easier. Journeys could now be swift
and safe, and longer distances could be covered. Traveling farther also increased trade and contact with other
peoples. Territories shifted and were enlarged, and new borders had to be fought for and agreed upon. Yet, in
the horse, the native peoples of the West found their destiny. So much that the name of one tribe, the Cayuse,
now also means "horse."
Read the ten vocabulary words below and decipher each word's definition based on its context within the
sentences below.
1) accessory- When a Spanish explorer came to America, his most important accessory was his riding gear.
The equipment allowed him to ride his horse. The famous mustangs and the beautiful paint ponies of the
West are descended from horses brought by the Spanish.
2) badger- The compact, well-balanced Spanish horses traveled deep into the western interior of the
continent, the land of such animals as the badger and the antelope.
3) calculation- Historians can make calculations about when the Plains Indians began to use horses- most
agree it was around 1600. However, historians may never be able to estimate how much horses changed
the Plains Indians' lives.
4) complement- Horses were the perfect complement to the Plains Indians' needs. They used horses to
hunt buffalo and to fight battles more successfully.
5) convert- Tribe after tribe became a willing convert to the improvements that the horse allowed. They
changed their ways of living and eagerly sought more horses.
6) customary- Because horses made traveling much easier, trade increased. It became customary for the
Plains people to trade with peoples in the West. Thus, it became common to see a Nez Perce horse
wearing a Crow collar and bridle.
7) gallery- The Cayuse, the Shoshone, the Flathead, and the Nez Perce showed their pride in their horses by
decorating them with trappings worthy of hanging in any art gallery.
8) intervene- On magnificent saddle bags, black geometric designs intervene, or come between, bands of
red. Beaded stirrups, especially on women's mounts, were often hung with pendants.
9) valor- War horses were brilliantly draped and masked like steeds of the medieval knights of Europe. A
horse might bear colorfully painted images showing its own feats of valor, or bravery.
10) vitality- A horse might be painted with symbols of vitality in the hope that such symbols would add to
the horse's strength. It is this image of pained horse and rider dressed in splendor that will charge on
through the imaginations of future generations.
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Page 02
Vocabulary Lesson 05
Scan the definitions in Column A. Then, think about how the boldface words are used in the sentences in
Column B. To complete the exercise, match each definition in Column A with the correct Vocabulary
Word from Column B. Write the letter of your choice on the line provided. Finally, write the Vocabulary
Word on the line before the definition.
COLUMN A
_____ 01. word:
n. the process of using mathematics; careful
thinking or planning; an estimate
_____ 02. word:
n. a long passageway; the cheapest seats in a
theater; a place where paintings are displayed
COLUMN B
(A) Stronger and larger than mustangs, the vitality of the
Appaloosa gave great energy to the Nez Perce culture.
(B) Some families had fifteen hundred horses. Much
calculation, or careful figuring, must have been needed to
provide for such a herd!
_____ 03. word:
adj. according to custom; habitual; usual
(C) The artistry of the Nez Perce provided a means for
increasing the herd. Their attractive woven bags were sought
far and wide as accessories.
_____ 04. word:
n. a small burrowing animal with short legs and
long claws; v. to pester; to nag
(D) These bags and other products were swiftly converted
into horses, just as today people change cash into cars and
other goods.
_____ 05. word:
n. energy; exuberance; vigor
(E) It is unlikely that a Nez Perce child had to badger his or
her parents for a horse. Horses were abundant, so a child
would not have to pester or make a fuss to get one.
_____ 06. word:
v. to come between in order to change a situation; to
occur between
(F) It was customary, not at all unusual, for Nez Perce women
to hang baby cradles from their saddle horns.
_____ 07. word:
n. something added for looks or convenience;
equipment; one who knowingly aids in a crime
_____ 08. word:
n. boldness; courage; bravery
_____ 09. word:
n. that which completes; number needed to
complete; a complete set; v. to complete; to add to
_____ 10. word:
v. to change; to change or persuade someone to
change to a new belief; n. one who has changed, as
to a religion
(G) Spectacular trappings, such as beaded bridles,
complemented their riding equipment, making the picture
complete.
(H) In 1877, fate intervened and ended the days of glory for
the Nez Perce. Their lives were changed forever.
(I) The Nez Perces' valor, or bold determination, aided them
in their attack on United States troops. However, the troops
eventually captured most of the Nez Perces' herd. Their hope
of freedom was lost, and their leader, Chief Joseph,
surrendered.
(J) A painting of Chief Joseph's surrender is displayed in a
gallery devoted to American art and history.
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Page 03
Vocabulary Lesson 05: Like Meanings and Opposite Meanings
Directions. For each item below, circle the letter of the choice that means the same, or about the
same, as the boldface word.
gallery seats
D) group discussion
A) inexpensive
an enthusiastic convert
A) person who has changed beliefs
B) person who has no beliefs
C) person who believes anything
D) person who questions everything
B) expensive
C) box
D) group
accessory to murder
A) aid
B) plan of attack
C) weapon
D) witness
intervene without permission
A) enter
B) exit
C) go between
D) make tape recordings
a difficult calculation
A) decision
B) journey
C) math problem
Directions. For each item below, circle the letter of the choice that means opposite, or about the
opposite, of the boldface word.
valor in battle
A) fearlessness
B) difficulty
C) cowardice
D) stupidity
customary practice
A) unusual
B) sales method
C) familiar
D) sensible
a sense of vitality
A) importance
B) possibility
C) unimportance
D) weakness
to complement the set
A) sell as a unit
B) improve on
C) take away from
D) make complete
to badger the chief
A) refuse to ask
B) pester
C) worry greatly
D) ask repeatedly