Sachem Central School District
Sagamore, Samoset, Seneca, Sequoya
Middle School Assessment Vocabulary
One of the characteristics of effective vocabulary instruction is a focus on terms that are
important to the content presented in school. When all the teachers in a school focus on
the same academic vocabulary, the school has a powerful comprehensive approach. This
approach greatly enhances students’ chances of learning the academic content presented
in subject matter classes.
-Robert Marzano
Building Academic Vocabulary
ASCD
In order to address the vocabulary concerns experienced by students when taking
assessments and comprehending complex questions across all disciplines, the middle
school ELA chairs perused the recent New York State Assessments in English, Math,
Science and Social Studies in order to discover potential vocabulary that may be
contributing to inadequate comprehension by our students. Further, we consulted a
national source entitled Building Academic Vocabulary for additional input and words
that impede reading comprehension by students across the country. Some words may be
identifiable as likely to appear on an English assessment while other words may appear
on Social Studies, Science, and Math assessments.
Any input concerning words that should be added or deleted would be greatly appreciated
by all.
Assessment Vocabulary:
1. association/associate/associative: friendship, organization, connection, overtone
2. caption: slogan, subtitle, title
3. clarification/clarify: elucidate, explain, illuminate
4. chronology/ sequence: series, order, succession, progression
5. trait: mannerism, peculiarity, attribute
6. criticism,/critique analysis, assessment, evaluation
7. document/documentary/documentation certification, credentials, documents
8. generalization/generalize simplify, oversimplify, take a broad view
9. interpretation understanding, explanation, reading
10. logic/logical rational, reasonable, common sense
11. objective: purpose, aim, goal subjective: slanted, biased, prejudiced
12. parallel: similar, equivalent, similarity, counterpart
13. perspective /perception: view point, lookout, outlook
14. persuade/persuasion: influence, affiliation conviction, urging
15. relative/relevant: pertinent, applicable, related, appropriate
16. resource: reserve, supply, source, resourceful: ingenious, imaginative, inventive
17. significant/significance: meaning, implication, consequence, importance, impact
18. synthesis/synthesize: fuse, blend, combine, manufacture
19. differentiate: distinguish, discriminate, make a distinction, set apart
20. analyze: examine, study, investigate
21. formulate: devise, invent, express, put into words, verbalize
22. applicable: appropriate, valid, related
23. verify: confirm, bear out, prove, authenticate, validate
24. justify: give good reason for, give explanation for, align, adjust
25. denoted: indicate, referred to, designate, signify
26. symbol /symbolize/symbolic: representative, sign, emblem, representation
27. equivalent: equal, alike, counterpart, comparable
28. evaluate: assess, appraise, estimate
29. variable: changeable, erratic, adjustable, flexible, various: a variety of, many
30. probability/probable: likely, possible, plausible
31. effect/affect: influence, involve, touch, assume, pretend to have
32. refute: disprove, prove false
33. observable/observation: surveillance, watching, opinion, thought, performance
34. process procedure: course, development, progression, method
35. factors: issue, thing, feature, aspect
36. conclusion /conclude: end bring to a close, finish, deduce, assume, bring about
37. correspondence/correspond: write, communicate, match up, be compatible
38. identify: recognize, spot, name, classify, discover, find, distinguish
39. relationships: associations, affairs, contact
40. establish: set up, found, ascertain, determine, find out
41. theory: philosophy system, imagine, conceive, premise, guess
42. accept/acceptable: believe, agree, except/exception: exempt, omission, exclude
43. resolution: decree, decision, promise, pledge, resolve, determination
44. contrast: difference, distinction, compare, distinguish, differ, stand out against
45. evidence: proof, confirmation, facts, indication, sign, show, demonstrate
46. principle: code, standard, rule, law
47. structure: arrangement, organization, construction, assembly, arrange, organize
48. diverse: varied, miscellaneous, different, dissimilar, unlike
49. function: purpose, meaning, gathering, occasion, work, perform, operate
50. emphasize: highlight, stress, call attention to, point out
51. incorporate/integrate: put together, mix, join together, combine
52. demonstrate: show, reveal, display, prove, establish, explain, display, protest
53. influence /influential: manipulate, persuade, change, powerful, important
54. extract: take out, remove, pull out
55. reflect: be a sign of, reveal, indicate, think, consider, ponder
56. estimate/estimation: opinion, judgment, view, guess, approximation
57. illustrate: demonstrate, show, point up
58. expression: look, phrase, idiom, manifestation, expressive: animated,
communicative, meaningful, significant, representative, demonstrating
59. degree: amount, quantity, grade, quantity
60. bias: prejudice, favoritism, unfairness, partiality
8th Grade Academic Vocabulary List
2007 - 2008
1. adjacent: neighboring, nearby, adjoining, bordering
2. conventions: meeting, gathering, rule, agreement
3. configuration: pattern, design, arrangement
4. derive – derivation: origin, root, source, beginning
5. elaboration: intensification, strengthening, further explanation, further details
6. etymology: derivation of a word, history of a word
7. explicit: open, clear, precise, exact implicit: understood, unreserved, absolute
8. facilitate: make easy, make possible, aid, assist
9. idioms: phrase, saying, expression, jargon (see attached)
10. literal: factual, truthful, exact, accurate, figurative: symbolic metaphorical
abstract
11. imperative: very important, vital, crucial, authoritative, requirement, law
12. juxtaposition: combination, coincidence, union
13. proverb: maxim, axiom, saying, motto
14. subliminal: subconscious hidden unconscious
15. superlative: excellent, unmatched, unbeatable, outstanding
16. syntax: grammar, sentence structure, language rules
17. vernacular: dialect, language, lingo
18. consolidate: merge, combine, strengthen, secure
19. coherent: logical, rational, sound, consistent
20. rationale: underlying principle, basis, foundation, motivation
21. circumvent: avoid, get around, evade circumference: perimeter, boundary
22. consecutive: successive, following, repeated
23. integral: essential, vital, important, basic, connected, at the heart of
24. disseminate: distribute, broadcast, circulate, spread
25. phenomena: occurrence, fact, experience, marvel, wonder, exceptional person
26. apparent: obvious, clear, evident, seeming, deceptive
27. correlate: associate, compare, link, show a relationship
28. intonation: accent, inflection, tone
29. intervene: arbitrate, get involved, occur, take place intervention: interference
30. imposed: imposition, burden, nuisance, obligation
31. prohibit: forbid, exclude, make illegal prohibition: ban, exclusion
32. proposal: suggestion, offer, application proposition: proposal, plan, scheme
33. provision: stipulation, condition, terms, specification
34. fundamental: basic, primary, essential, important, vital
35. episode: incidence, installment, event, occurrence episodic: periodic
36. recitation: recital, reading, performance, narration
37. connotation: (connote) mean, predict, imply, suggest, implication, undertone
38. extraneous: irrelevant, unrelated, unconnected, not on the subject
39. conscious: aware, mindful, awake, deliberate subconscious: subliminal, hidden,
unintentional, involuntary 40. authentic: genuine, real, valid, true, reliable, realistic
7th Grade Academic Vocabulary List
2007 – 2008
1. acquire: obtain, get gain acquisition: achievement, purchase, possession, asset
2. argumentation/ argument: quarrel, disagreement, case, reasoning, contention
3. assume/ assumption: statement guess theory belief
4. coordinate: organize, direct, manage, bring together
5. cross-reference: footnote, explanation, double check, verify
6. dialect: language, talk, idiom
7. editorial: viewpoint, perspective, position, point of view
8. etiquette: manners, good manners, protocol
9. expository: explanation, account
10. figurative: metaphoric, abstract
11. literal: factual, truthful, exact, word by word, verbatim
12. inconsistency/inconsistent: not in agreement, conflicting, unpredictable, shifting,
unreliable, erratic
13. jargon: terminology, slang, lingo
14. modify/modification: alteration, change, adjustment
15. projection: outcrop, bulge, forecast, prediction
16. slant / slanted material: angle, viewpoint, attitude, point of view
17. slang: informal usage, playful language or idioms
18. stereotypical/stereotype: typecast, label
19. subordinate: secondary, lesser, inferior, assistant, junior, underling
20. transition: change, evolution, shift, alteration, transfer
21. trickster tale/folk tale: legend, traditional beliefs, shared tales
22. inflection: nuance, variation, variety
23. collaboration: teamwork, partnership, group, effort
24. clarify: make clear, explain, spell out, simplify, refine, purify, filter
25. exponent: advocate, supporter, example, model, interpreter, explainer
26. ratio: relation, relative amount, percentage
27. proportion: amount ,quantity, ratio, comparison, relationship
28. discord: disagreement, conflict, dispute, disharmony, friction
29. adapt/adaptation: version, edition, alteration, change
30. approximate: estimated, fairly accurate, rough, near, ballpark
31. transformation: alteration, change, conversion, renovation
32. composition /compose: create, write, arrange, calm, settle down
33. objection: opposition, protest, doubt
34. supported: hold up, maintain, foundation, encourage, assist, backing
35. sequence/sequential: chronological, in order
36. figure of speech: rhetorical expression, metaphor, idiom
37. maintain: uphold, preserve, argue, claim, look after, care for
38. promote: endorse, encourage, advance, further advertise, campaign for
39. extensive: widespread, wide-ranging, big, vast
40. formal/formality: procedure, requirement, reserve, stiffness
6th Grade Academic Vocabulary List
2007-2008
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
background knowledge: information, facts, acquaintance, education
sketch: preliminary drawing, brief account, short presentation
broadcast: transmit, show, publicize, make known, advertise
climax: peak, high point, pinnacle, best moment
era: age, epoch, period
dialogue: conversation, interview, exchange of ideas, discussion
feedback: criticism, advice, reaction, view
interjection: exclamation, interruption, speaking
mechanics: workings, technicalities, procedures
media: (plural) channels of general communication, information,
entertainment
medium: a middle state, an intervening substance toward
desired effect
11. plagiarism: copying, stealing, illegal use, breach of copyright
12. recurring: chronic, returning, frequent, habitual
13. representation: image, depiction, illustration, account, statement
14. stress: pressure, strain, emphasis, importance, underline, underscore
15. audience: spectators, viewers
16. technology: knowledge, expertise, equipment, machinery
17. textual/text: book, manuscript, transcript, textbook
18. origin: source, derivation, cause, beginning
19. irrelevant: immaterial, neither here nor there, unrelated, inappropriate
20. generate/generalization: sweeping statement, simplification,
oversimplification
21. exaggerate: overstate, embellish, amplify, inflate
22. substitute/substitution: replacement, switch, exchange, changeover
23. invalid: unacceptable, unsound, untrue, null, void
24. terminate: end, finish, come to an end, conclude, stop, cease
25. distribute/distribution: sharing, giving out, delivery, supply, spreading
26. median: middle, center, norm
27. mode: form, style, manner, method, means
28. range: variety, choice, series, vary, reach, scope, span
29. prime/primary: main, chief, most important, first, leading
30. immune: resistant, protected, invulnerable, unaffected, safe, exempt, excepted
31. dowry: gift, offering, grant
32. conduct: behavior, demeanor, carry out, perform, management, handling
33. convert: change, exchange, switch, win over, bring round, convince
34. values: principles, standards, morals, ethics, ideals
35. interact: interrelate, act together, work together, cooperate, network
36. similarity: resemblance, comparison, likeness, match
37. event: occasion, happening, incident, result, consequence, outcome
38. personify: typify, characterize, show, humanize, give a human face to
39. compare contrast: evaluate, match up, to associate, relate, link
40. benefit: advantage, profit, help, promote, do good, to gain, allowance, subsidy