And Then What Happened, Paul Revere? Key Vocabulary Houghton Mifflin Reading Theme 3 – Voices of the Revolution © Brent Coley 2009 |

See if you can correctly define the following vocabulary words.

If necessary, use the context clues from the sample sentences to help you.

cargo

cargo Sample Sentence: The ship’s cargo included bananas from South America.

cargo Definition: n. The freight (items) carried by a ship, airplane, or other vehicle

colonies

colonies Sample Sentence: The 13 original colonies declared their independence from Britain in 1776.

colonies Definition: n. Territories ruled by or belonging to another country

express

express Sample Sentence: We needed the package to arrive the next day, so we used express delivery.

express Definition: adj. Fast, direct, and often nonstop

liberty

liberty Sample Sentence: In the American Revolution, colonists fought against Britain to gain liberty.

liberty Definition: n. Freedom from the control of others; independence

oppose

oppose Sample Sentence: Many people oppose the idea of paying higher taxes.

oppose Definition: v. To be against something or someone

Patriot

Patriot Sample Sentence: George Washington and other Patriots risked their lives to gain their freedom.

Patriot Definition: n. A colonist who was against British rule during the American Revolution

revolutionary

revolutionary Sample Sentence: When it was first introduced, the Internet was a revolutionary idea.

revolutionary Definition: adj. Connected with complete change (“This will change everything.”)

sentries

sentries Sample Sentence: The colonist tried to sneak past the two sentries in front of the bridge.

sentries Definition: n. Guards who are posted to keep watch

taxes

taxes Sample Sentence: Britain required colonists to pay taxes on tea and other items.

taxes Definition: n. Money that must be paid in order to support the government