1. Katie’s Trunk Key Vocabulary Houghton Mifflin Reading Theme 3 – Voices of the Revolution © Brent Coley 2009 | www.mrcoley.com

2. See if you can correctly define the following vocabulary words.

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

4. arming

5. arming Sample Sentence: The colonists began arming themselves as the British troops neared the city.

6. arming Definition: v. Providing with weapons

7. drilling

8. drilling Sample Sentence: The colonial soldiers had become quite skilled after drilling for months.

9. drilling Definition: v. Doing exercises (practicing) to become better soldiers

10. fierce

11. fierce Sample Sentence: Aslan’s fierce roar caused the witch to run for her life.

12. fierce Definition: adj. Intense; ferocious

13. just

14. just Sample Sentence: The judge had to be just by listening to both sides of the argument.

15. just Definition: adj. Honorable and fair

16. kin

17. kin Sample Sentence: After the man passed away, his inheritance was divided among his kin.

18. kin Definition: n. People related by blood or marriage (relatives; family)

19. peer

20. peer Sample Sentence: Bill’s mom peered at him suspiciously as he told her how the vase broke.

21. peer Definition: v. To look at with concentration

22. rebels

23. rebels Sample Sentence: The rebels refused to obey the laws they thought were unfair.

24. rebels Definition: n. People who oppose or defy the government that exists

25. skirmish

26. skirmish Sample Sentence: The skirmish lasted only a few minutes, but several soldiers died in the fighting.

27. skirmish Definition: n. A small, short fight between enemies

28. skittish

29. skittish Sample Sentence: My cat was skittish during last night’s thunderstorm.

30. skittish Definition: adj. Nervous and jumpy