Share 9th grade idioms and vocab inferences context clue
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By the time the deadline arrived, Malik realized he hadn’t proofread his paper or cited his sources. His teacher’s comments were harsh but fair. On the way home, he sighed and admitted he’d really dropped the ball this time.
Failed to take responsibility or complete a task properly
The scientist’s claim sounded plausible, though the evidence was thin. Her peers didn’t dismiss it, but they wanted more data before believing her. Some said her idea could reshape the entire field—if it turned out to be true. PLAUSIBLE
believable or reasonable but not certain
Lena stood at the front of the room while whispers spread through the class. Instead of arguing or getting emotional, she spoke calmly and clearly. Her composed tone made the truth hard to ignore. What does COMPOSED mean?
calm and controlled under pressure
Javier invested in an online business that promised to double his money in a month. His friend warned him to be wary, but Javier brushed it off. Two weeks later, the website vanished along with his savings. What does WARY mean?
Cautious or alert to possible danger
After their tent ripped in the rain, the campers used a tarp and rope to build a shelter. It wasn’t comfortable, but at least it kept them dry. They had to make do with what they had. What does MAKE DO mean?
manage or cope with limited resources
Alyssa’s essay didn’t have fancy language or dramatic claims. Every sentence was exact, every citation correct. Her teacher called her writing meticulous. What does METICULOUS mean?
extremely careful and precise
The team practiced every morning before sunrise. When they finally won the championship, the captain reminded everyone it hadn’t been a walk in the park. No one disagreed. What does NO WALK IN THE PARK mean?
something difficult, not easy
Mr. Cho never fell for fake kindness. Students who tried to butter him up with compliments soon learned it didn’t affect their grades. Hard work did. What does BUTTER HIM UP mean?
flatter someone to gain favor
The politician’s excuse didn’t hold water. Reporters compared his words to the public records, and the numbers told a different story. Within hours, the scandal was all over the news. What does DIDN'T HOLD WATER mean?
If something HOLDS WATER it is believable or makes logical sense
After the tornado, neighbors worked side by side to clean debris. Within a week, the park looked almost new again. Their community proved remarkably resilient. What does RESILLIENT mean?
able to recover quickly from hardship
The design wasn’t perfect, but it was fresh and daring. No one had seen a solution like it before. The teacher called the group’s project innovative. What does INNOVATIVE mean?
original or creatively new
Mia hadn’t spoken to her friend in weeks after their fight. Finally, she decided to text first, hoping to extend an olive branch. Her message simply said, “Can we talk?” What does EXTEND AN OLIVE BRANCH mean?
offer peace or reconciliation
Tessa’s voice was steady and confident as she presented her argument. Even when challenged, she didn’t back down or sound rude. Her teacher praised her for being assertive. What does ASSERTIVE mean?
confident and self-assured in expression
After months of tension, Sam spotted his brother sitting alone. Without saying much, he joined him and shared a snack. It was his quiet way to bury the hatchet. What does BURY THE HATCHET mean?
end a disagreement and make peace
The artist’s vision seemed unrealistic at first. When the final piece was revealed, though, the audience saw how bold and detailed it was. Critics called her work deeply ambitious. What does AMBITIOUS mean?
determined to achieve something challenging or impressive
The class had argued for an hour about the best solution. Then Emma spoke, connecting everyone’s points into one clear idea. The teacher nodded and said she had hit the nail on the head. What does HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD mean?
explained something exactly or accurately
