© Brent Coley 2008 | Key Vocabulary Houghton Mifflin Reading Theme 1 – Nature’s Fury

Sample Sentence: The thick fog caused the two cars to collide.

Definition: v. To bump into another mass with force

Sample Sentence: The funnel cloud touched down at 4:30 p.m.

Definition: n. Tornado cloud that is wide at the top and narrow where it touches the ground

Sample Sentence: Be careful not to cut yourself on the jagged piece of glass.

Definition: adj. Having a ragged or pointed edge or outline

Sample Sentence: The lightning lit up the night sky.

Definition: n. A flash of light that occurs when electricity builds up in storm clouds

Sample Sentence: The settlers chose to farm in the prairies of the Midwest.

Definition: n. Large areas of flat or rolling grassland

Sample Sentence: It takes the Earth 24 hours to rotate one time.

Definition: v. To turn around (spin) on a center or axis

Sample Sentence: The hail storm caused severe damage to the farmer’s crops.

Definition: adj. Serious or extreme in nature

Sample Sentence: The sizzling bacon smelled great as it cooked in the frying pan.

Definition: adj. Crackling or hissing with intense heat

Sample Sentence: Tornadoes cause damage to homes in the Midwest every year.

Definition: n. Rotating columns of air accompanied by whirling funnel- shaped downspouts