Academic English Testing Vocabulary List | NO EXCUSES WORDS!
High-Frequency ELA English Academic Testing Vocabulary
Kid-Friendly Glossary & Examples
(Tier 2) Level One Must Know Words
analyze
To study something carefully in order to understand it or learn more about it.
"Elise needed to analyze the test question - What exactly was the question asking for?"
approach
To move closer to someone or something.
"Mr. Kyes will approach Mr. Taylor to ask if Damian is at grade level."
area
The measurement of the surface inside the boundaries of something (square units) .
"Mrs. Garcia's kitchen wall was eight feet high and ten feet wide; to paint this wall she needed a can of paint to cover an area of eighty square feet.
assess
To judge or figure out the value of something, both good and bad values.
"The coach had to assess his players to decide which one would play first base."
assume
To suppose that something is true without checking first. "Ellie assumed that she would get a high score on her math test without studying, but her score was low...
authority
The right or power to make rules and see that the rules are followed. "Mr. Taylor has authority in his class; the Fire Department has authority at a fire scene."
available
Able to be used or gotten. "The last Harry Potter movie should be really exciting, but it's not available yet."
benefit
Something that helps good to happen.
"Suzette was great at playing soccer; a real benefit to her team!"
concept
An idea or thought. " 'Is that your concept of fair play?' shouted the coach when Elton intentionally tripped the runner." consist
To be made up of something. "Her favorite chocolate fudge consists of sugar, corn syrup, cocoa, butter, milk, and chopped walnuts."
constitute
To be something or a part of something.
" 'Helping me to get up does not constitute an apology!' said Elsbet angrily, after Harry had knocked her down."
context
The words and phrases that surround a word or sentence, and help to understand the meaning of the word or sentence. "I said that I don't trust dishonest people, not that I don't trust all people; you've taken the words out of context!"
contract
A document of formal or legal agreement.
"Mr. and Mrs. Young signed a contract with the apartment owner. The Young’s agreed to pay rent each month for a year, and the owner agreed that they could live in the apartment for a year."
create
To make something. "In art class Ms. Miller explained how to create a cereal bowl from wet, grey clay."
data
Information, often in the form of facts or numbers. "Mr. Taylor wrote down the class test scores in his notebook, and then entered that data in his computer."
define
To describe something exactly. "That row of barbed-wire fence defines the edge of Grandpa's field."
derive
To get something from a source. "The word 'home' derives from an Old English word which meant a place to lie down and rest."
distribute
To give something out to a number of people. "Mr. Taylor will distribute 'Kid-Friendly Glossary & Examples' sheets to his class."
economy
Getting something done in the most effective way, with the best results for the amount of effort, money, and material used.
"Harry was the best jumper on our track team; he smoothly cleared the top rail of the high jump with great economy of motion."
environment
All that surrounds something. "The aquarium tank contains the environment of Patrick's angel fish; the forest is the environment of the crested woodpecker."
Establish To start or set up something that is meant to last a long time. "The University of Michigan
estimate
A rough calculation, an educated guess.
"Nine years old is my estimate of Theo's age."
evident
Obvious or easy to understand. "He couldn't answer any of his partner's questions. It was evident that Jake hadn't read his assignment."
export
To send goods for sale to another country.
"Mr. Stevens needed to update his export license before he could sell his wheat to Portugal
factor
Something that is part of what makes another thing happen. "Eating a balanced diet and exercising are factors in staying healthy." Also, "Not paying attention in class and not doing homework are factors in failing a test."
finance
To raise or provide money for something or someone. "I'd like to buy that new truck, but I don't think I can finance that much money right now."
formula
A rule that is written in symbols and numbers. "The formula for the area of a rectangle is A = b * h " (area = base * height)."
function
The purpose for which something is designed or used. "The function of the school bus is to carry students to and from school."
identify
To recognize and name something or somebody. "Hector identified the jacket that he had lost; it was in the school's 'Lost and Found' box."
income
Money received over a period of time for work done or goods sold. "Todd worked part-time that summer and earned an income of $300. "
indicate
To show or point out something. "Jasmine said that she liked her aunt's cake, but her sour face indicated that she really didn't like it." Also, "The thermometer indicates that it's a very hot day."
interpret
To find or explain the meaning of something. Also, to translate the meaning of words from one language into another language.
"The poem wrote about flowers and winds, but at the poetry reading the poem was interpreted to be about sadness and loneliness. " Also, "Wendy sat close to the new kindergartener to interpret for her."
involve
To include something as necessary.
"Making a cake involves measuring, mixing, baking, and decorating."
issue
The main idea to be talked about, or a particular publication (magazine, stamp, stocks or bonds). " 'That's not the issue,' said Ricardo. 'We were going to plan a surprise party, not talk about the weather!' "
Also, "Do you have the December 2010 issue of 'National Geographic'? "
labor
Physical work, especially using strength; or the group of all workers of a country or industry. "The labor union at the Chevrolet plant was telling the automobile workers not to go to work in the morning." Also,
"Making the beautiful flower arrangement for her mother was a labor of love."
legal
Allowed by law, or related to law and courts of law. "Speeding on the city streets is not legal."
legislate
To write and pass laws. "The candidate promised to legislate to make more jobs available."
major
Of great importance, size, or seriousness; also, a military title. "Major Samuelson announced that the weather satellite showed a major storm coming into southern Arizona
method
A way of doing something; orderliness.
"The lattice method is one way to multiply; long division is one method of dividing."
occur
To happen, or to come into one's mind.
"What time will that occur? It just occurred to me that we are late!"
percent
Used to express a proportion in hundredths, sometimes with the ' %' sign. "Elizabeth
period
A punctuation mark(.) used at the end of a sentence or in abbreviations; also a division of playing time in some sports. "It didn't look good. The U of A Wildcats hadn't scored at all by the end of the first period."
policy
A way of acting that is used by a person, or group or government. "It was Grandfather's policy to never charge anything on credit. He would not buy at all if he couldn't pay cash."
principle
The basic way something works; also, the model of quality or right-and-wrong that people follow in life. "I try to always tell the truth, as a matter of principle."
proceed
To go on to do something.
"After the guard checked Mrs. Slone's identification, he told her to proceed into the building."
process
A number of actions done to make a special thing happen. Registering to vote is a careful process: First, you must show that you are a citizen and are at least 18 years old. Then you must show that you live in this county.
require
To need something or somebody.
"Mary's dog requires a rabies vaccination before it can get a dog license."
research
To look for facts in a careful, organized way for the purpose of learning about something, or telling whether what you already know is true or not. "Elliot began his research with the 1938 passenger lists of a steamship. He wanted to find out how his grandfather first came to America
respond
To give an answer. "The dog will always respond to a knock on the door by loud barking!"
role
An acting part in a movie, play, or other performance; also, an expected way that someone or something. "At the neighborhood potluck, Martha's role was to set out the cold food while Paul fired up the grill and Kathryn filled the cooler with Pepsi and 7-Up."
section
A distinct part of the whole of something.
"Luz separated the tangerine into 12 sections."
sector
A pie-shaped part of a circle; also, a part of an area where military forces are in control.
"The General's plan called for Sector B to move out at dawn."
significant
Meaningful, or having an important effect.
"Jessie's home run was significant in helping her team to win the game."
similar
Like something else, but not totally the same. "The two trucks were similar: both were 2005 pickups, but one was black and one was red."
source
The person, place, or thing where something started or was found. "Grandmother looked for the source of the leak that was making a puddle on the kitchen floor." Also,
"What is the source of the information in your science report?"
specific
Description that is exact and detailed enough to identify a particular person, place, or thing. "The doctor gave specific instructions to Heather's nurse."
structure
Something built; or the way parts go together and work together. "That old iron bridge is an interesting structure; look how all the pieces fit together!"
theory
An idea or set of ideas about how and why things work together. "Sylvia had a theory about how to increase her vocabulary."
vary
To change something.
"Max would vary his lunch. Sometimes he had a peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich; sometimes he had pizza."
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