Name: ______________________________ Period: ________
Date: _______________
Questions about “I Pay Real Wages. Shouldn’t Everyone?”
Star-Ledger op-ed February 16, 2013
Answer all open-ended questions in complete sentences. For dictionary sample sentences,
make sure that you are only copying complete sentences, not sample sentence fragments.
Paragraph 1
By reading this sentence, one infers that the writer of this op-ed is a
__________________________________________(Fill in her occupation.)
Use the Merriam-Webster Learner’s Dictionary (http://www.learnersdictionary.com/) to copy
the definitions/sample sentences of:
a. dizzying (adj.) ________________________________________________________________
Sentence:______________________________________________________________________
b. dizzy (adj.) ___________________________________________________________________
Sentence:______________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2
Use the Merriam-Webster Learner’s Dictionary (http://www.learnersdictionary.com/) to copy
the definitions/sample sentences of:
a.décor (n.) ____________________________________________________________________
Sentence:
______________________________________________________________________________
b. mundane (adj.)(Use definition #1)
______________________________________________________________________________
Sentence:
______________________________________________________________________________
1
Paragraph 3
a. How many previous restaurants has the writer owned?
______________________________________________________________________________
b. What is the adverb used in this paragraph?
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Paragraph 4
Use the Merriam-Webster Learner’s Dictionary (http://www.learnersdictionary.com/) to copy
the definitions/sample sentences of:
a.unlike(preposition – use definition #1)
____________________________________________________________________
Sentence:
______________________________________________________________________________
b. How much does the writer pay her employees, and why?
______________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 5
Use the Merriam-Webster Learner’s Dictionary (http://www.learnersdictionary.com/) to copy
the definitions/sample sentences of:
a. What point does the writer make about New Jersey in this paragraph?
______________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 6
Use the Merriam-Webster Learner’s Dictionary (http://www.learnersdictionary.com/) to copy
the definitions/sample sentences of:
a.spectrum(n.- use definition #2)
____________________________________________________________________
Sentence:
______________________________________________________________________________
2
Paragraph 8
Use the Merriam-Webster Learner’s Dictionary (http://www.learnersdictionary.com/) to copy
the definitions/sample sentences of:
a.turnover (n. – read all of the definitions and find the one that matches this context)
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Sentence:
______________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 9
a. It was recently proposed that New Jersey should raise its minimum wage by $1.50 (to make
it $8.50). Was that approved? If not, why not?
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Paragraph 10
Use the Merriam-Webster Learner’s Dictionary (http://www.learnersdictionary.com/) to copy
the definitions/sample sentences of:
a.across the board (adj.)
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The writer writes, “Raising the minimum wage across the board would even the playing field
for small businesses.”
This expression is the same as level the playing field – use that phrase to define.
b. level the playing field (v.)
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Sentence:
______________________________________________________________________________
3
Paragraph 12
Use the Merriam-Webster Learner’s Dictionary (http://www.learnersdictionary.com/) to copy
the definitions/sample sentences of:
a.by far
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Sentence:
______________________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 14
Use the Merriam-Webster Learner’s Dictionary (http://www.learnersdictionary.com/) to copy
the definitions/sample sentences of:
a.backbone (n. – read all of the definitions and find the one that matches this context)
______________________________________________________________________________
Sentence:
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4