Grades 7–8: List 2

Vocabulary is key to performing well on Common Core-aligned tests for English Language Arts as well as for building literacy in social studies, science, and technical subjects. This collection features common tier-2 words that are taught and tested in Grades 7 and 8. These words are used in a variety of contexts, exhibit different shades of meaning based on those contexts, and appear commonly in classroom instruction and on standardized assessments.


Here are links to our lists in the collection: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5, List 6, List 7, List 8
20 words 5107 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. author
    a person who writes professionally
    “You know I love to write. You know I want to be an author or a journalist someday!” Keep It Together, Keiko Carter
  2. intent
    the planned meaning of a communication
    They asked how I had got out of Pulefen Farm and into Karhide, and they asked the destination and intent of the code message I had sent on their radio. The Left Hand of Darkness
  3. message
    what a communication that is about something is about
    I am never clear on what messages or lessons readers get from my books. Salon (Feb 13, 2022)
  4. point of view
    a mental position from which things are perceived
    I like debates where you argue about different points of view. Feed
  5. purpose
    an anticipated outcome that guides your planned actions
    If that sounds surprising, given her passionate Jewish identity and family history with the Holocaust, know that the whole purpose of this book is to explore and explain it. Washington Post (Aug 27, 2021)
  6. blog
    an online journal where people post about their experiences
    In the blog, she talks about how she’s really proud of the way she looks and how her vitiligo makes her unique and beautiful. How to Disappear Completely
  7. capitalization
    the use of uppercase letters
    You may change capitalization and punctuation however you like. Washington Post (Apr 21, 2016)
  8. central
    serving as an essential component
    The role of Olivia—an important role, central to the play—was never mine. It All Comes Down to This
  9. idea
    the content of cognition
    I still had to think of a scientific question, and maybe I could get some ideas from one of Mom’s books. The Science of Breakable Things
  10. character
    an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction
    She’d make a great friend to a character in a book, or in one of Dad’s plays. Because of Mr. Terupt
  11. action
    something done (usually as opposed to something said)
    She jumped into action, getting me to the wagon with John’s help. Worth
  12. interaction
    mutual or reciprocal dealings or influence
    In every interaction with kids at school, I always worry about saying the right thing, being the right way. A Place at the Table
  13. relationship
    a mutual connection between people
    Jason always tried to build a good relationship with the people on his team. The House of Hades
  14. claim
    an assertion that something is true or factual
    This is a common claim but it's not supported by evidence. BBC (Jul 24, 2022)
  15. compare
    consider or describe as similar, equal, or analogous
    It’s fun to compare Cairo to Lahore and realize how so many things are similar. Amina's Song
  16. comparison
    the act of examining resemblances
    With those three samples I could make comparisons. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
  17. contrast
    put in opposition to show or emphasize differences
    If you’re comparing or contrasting things, use than, as in more than or less than. Woe Is I
  18. conclude
    reach a final opinion after a discussion or deliberation
    “I don’t think there really is such a country,” he concluded after studying it carefully. The Phantom Tollbooth
  19. conclusion
    the last section of a communication
    At the conclusion of the previous novel, “The Paris Spy,” Hope is locked in prison because she knows too much. Washington Post (Jul 23, 2018)
  20. draw
    make, formulate, or derive in the mind
    He says he prefers to present the raw scientific data because it allows visitors to draw their own conclusions. Washington Post (Dec 28, 2021)
Created on Tue Jul 19 15:35:24 EDT 2022 (updated Tue Aug 30 15:07:13 EDT 2022)

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