matilda- vocabulary building worksheets

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________

Matilda: Vocabulary Building Worksheet

Week 1: Monday

Definitions: Numbers 1-5 show definitions of the list of words. Select the correct word that matches the definition from the two words at the end of each definition. Write it in the blank space provided.

1. A strong distaste or loathing ________________________

2. A child or animal in relation to its parents ______________________

3. Disgusting, nauseating, or repulsive ______________________________

4. Deep love or worship ____________________________

5. In addition to; at or to a greater distance; OR to a greater extent __________________

Definition Clues: Carefully read the phrase or riddle below. Choose the word you think goes best with the phrase or riddle and write it in the blank space provided. Be careful! These can be tricky!

1. What you would call the many children of two parents _______________________

2. The car up the road from you _________________________

3. Something gross enough to turn your stomach ______________________________

4. The look on the small girl’s face when she meets her favorite author ________________

5. A dog pooping in your yard _________________________

Fill-In-The-Blank: Each sentence below is missing a word. Read the sentence carefully and choose the vocabulary word that best goes in the blank space provided.

1. Pamona thought the idea of cheese in a meat-filled patty was ____________________.

2. Artists often treasure their works as their immortal _______________________.

3. The most _____________________ smell was coming from the drains.

4. I’d really rather not discuss it any ____________________!

disgusting further adoration revolting offspring

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________


5. Phillip was filled with _____________________ for the girl who sat in front of him in

class.

Week 1: Tuesday


1. Stomach or middle torso ________________________

2. Trivial, silly or nonsense talk/ writing______________________

3. To investigate thoroughly; to dig______________________________4. A round container that is wider than it is deep, used mostly to hold water or other liquid-

especially for washing____________________________

5. Something likely to cause burn; something very harsh- a screamer __________________


1. When your brother goes on and on about the movie “Cars”_______________________

2. A very hot day_________________________

3. Where your intestines and other organs are located ______________________________

4. What you must do with research books for your report__________________

5. Always clean your toothpaste out_________________________


basin twaddle scorcher abdomen delve

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________


1. Gill was not in the habit of washing himself in the ____________________, but as there was no tub, it was better than nothing.

2. He was all bent over, complaining of pains in his ___________________________.

3. She was intensely eager to __________________ into the mystery of Mr. Joplin and his briefcase.

4. Hillary sat through a long meeting where her co-workers discussed useless

_________________ that had nothing to do with the problem at hand.

5. Tomorrow is going to be a __________________, so don’t forget the sunscreen and carry lots of water if you’re going out.

Week 1: Wednesday


1. In detail, very much, specifically, specially ________________________

2. Chill, frigid, freezing, unfriendly, hostile, forbidding______________________3. Overly fond or showing excessive love; OR weak-minded, especially in old

age______________________________

4. Completely, without exception; positively, certainly _______________________

5. Full of poison or venom; capable of harming or killing __________________


1. The first kind of parents described in Matilda _______________________

2. The odds of rolling a number less than 7 on a regular die _________________________

3. Unusually or specifically______________________________

poisonous particularly glacial absolutely doting

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________


4. Dart frogs, oleander bushes, rattlesnakes, camel spiders______________________

5. The stare you give your parent after spankings_________________________


1. The _________________ old man appeared to be wearing his socks over his shoes.

2. The arrows were tips with venom, making them deadly and _______________________.3. The houses of the seventeenth century are made out of dust that drifted over the London

region in a ________________ era 25,000 years before.

4. The morning wind was blowing a mist over the ___________________________ barren shore.

5. She doesn’t like vegetables of any kind, ____________________________ the green ones.

Week 1: Thursday


1. Beyond the usual, remarkable, rare, noteworthy ________________________ 2. More desirable, something you want more (compared to something else)

____________________________

3. A craving or restless longing, need, or thirst; a yearning _________________________

4. Huge; OR outrageous, stupendous _______________________5. Taught, educated, or informed; to have intellectual or spiritual light shed upon

_____________________________

Definition Clues: Carefully read the phrase or riddle below. Choose the word you think goes best with the phrase or riddle

enormouslypreferable extraordinary

hankering enlightened

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________


and write it in the blank space provided. Be careful! These can be tricky!

1. After you complete a course at school _______________________

2. Rolling six sixes in a row with a regular die_________________________

3. A sharp knife over a dull one ______________________________

4. Wanting to eat peanut-butter and pickle sandwiches for weeks______________________

5. How much you are attached to your thumb_________________________


1. “Make a candle to get light; read a book to get _____________________________.”

2. Miss Trunchbull considers all girls to be ________________________ worse than boys.

3. Man is still the most ______________________________ computer of all.

4. As soon as she could read, naturally, she had a __________________________ after books.

5. The ball was ________________________ to the doll for all of the boys.

Week 2: Monday


1. To move with short, unsteady steps, as a young child _______________________

2. To go along with, escort, ________________________

3. A natural talent; something a person or animal is born able to do ___________________

accompany toddle mystery stunned instinct

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________


4. Amazed, shocked; OR someone unconscious for a moment _____________________

5. Anything that is kept secret, unknown, or is unexplained; OR a novel, story, play or film involves a crime or other event that remains unsolved until the very end

____________________


1. A book starring Nate the Great _________________________

2. A man shot with a taser gun ____________________________

3. You cannot learn it ___________________________

4. Your brother comes with you to the pool _________________________

5. A description of someone small’s gait ________________________


1. Her clever wit ________________________ the audience.

2. Many animals fear fire by ____________________________.

3. He had been chosen to _________________________ Scott on account of his physical strength.

4. The masked guest was a complete _______________________ to everyone at the party.

5. It was cute to watch the tiny girl _________________________ across the room to her mother.

Week 2: Tuesday

Definitions: Numbers 1-5 show definitions of the list of words. Select the correct word that matches the definition from the two

necessary encourage interfere edition formidable

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________


words at the end of each definition. Write it in the blank space provided.

1. One of the series of printings of the same book, newspaper, etc., each issued at a different time and differing from one another by changes; OR a particular tv or radio program

broadcast ______________________2. Required or needed; OR not free, involuntary _________________________

3. To inspire with confidence or spirit; OR to help, support ________________________

4. Causing fear or dread; OR intimidating _________________________

5. To meddle, or cause opposition in order to inhibit or hinder ______________________


1. Soap and water to wash hands _________________________

2. A particularly difficult math problem ____________________________

3. The tv with your homework _________________________

4. Monday’s evening news _________________________

5. The point of cheerleaders for a team ________________________


1. Please don’t __________________________ with me when I’m trying to make dinner.

2. The motor was _______________________ in order for the car to run.

3. Poverty will often ______________________________ crime.

4. The mountain loomed a ______________________ presence in front of the novice climbers.

5. Dana bought the unabridged _________________________ of Great Expectations .

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________


Week 2: Wednesday


1. Something accomplished with special effort or ability; OR successful completion of something _____________________

2. Equipment, outfit, tackle; OR parts in a car that work together to create different speeds

or direction _____________________

3. Pleasing, agreeable or enjoyable _________________________

4. Taken or carried to another location; OR carried away by strong emotion _____________

5. From time to time or now and then ________________________


1. Obtaining an Eagle Badge __________________________

2. Your shoe becomes untied ____________________________

3. The smell of the ocean breeze __________________________

4. Moved by the beautiful music __________________________

5. Fishing pole, bait, and tackle box __________________________


1. ___________________________, I like to sit and do Sudoku.

achievement occasionally pleasant transported gear

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________


2. It was a very ______________________ summer day, so we went to the beach.

3. Grant wasn’t sure how the crayons had been _______________________ to the desk drawer.

4. Fiona considered her graduation from high school to be her crowning

____________________ in life so far.

5. “Put it in __________________!” he shouted to Stanley as the engine revved without moving.

Week 2: Thursday


1. To meddle or interfere, especially in order to damage or change_____________________

2. Easily seen, recognized or understood; OR without subtlety ______________________

3. Hair growth along the upper lip ________________________

4. Enthralled or mesmerized __________________________5. A mechanical display in a vehicle that shows the vehicle’s speed

________________________


1. What you should be concerned about if you see a police car in your mirror __________________________

2. Elephants are bigger than mice ________________________________

3. Very famous on Hitler ___________________________

4. Boys and The Crocodile Hunter __________________________

5. The tv and Wii are out of sync and the remotes are missing ________________________

moustachespeedometer tamper fascinated obviously

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________



1. It was considered very stylish in the 80s for men to wear a ________________________.

2. The children were ________________________ by the firefighter and his truck.

3. “Well, _______________________ you haven’t done your homework,” the teacher admonished the boy.

4. The ____________________ in dad’s old Mustang went all the way to 180MPH.

5. If you leave your markers out, your little sister will surely ___________________ with them.

Week 3: Monday


1. To sever, detach, or interrupt connection to; to withdraw into one’s private world

_______________________2. Felt or showed unhappiness or insult, because of something someone did or said

_______________________3. To keep apart or divide; to put, bring, or force apart __________________________

4. Extraordinary in size or excellence, huge; OR awful, frightening ___________________

5. Swelling or bending outward- sticking out; filling to the limits _____________________


1. Divorce ________________________

disconnecttremendous separate bulging resented

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________


2. A blue whale ____________________________

3. Size 10 feet wearing a size 8 ___________________________

4. You didn’t pay your phone bill ___________________________

5. Vera got to wear her mother’s pearl necklace and Alice did not _____________________


1. When social pressures become too much, she will simply ________________________.

2. Marsha could clearly see where he had hidden the camera, since his pocket was

_______________________from a lumpy object hidden within.

3. There was a ____________________________ shudder in the house as a loud clap of thunder cracked outside.

4. William ______________________ being called fat; it wasn’t his fault he was big for his age.

5. The recess monitor had to ____________________________ two fighting boys.

Week 3: Tuesday


1. The act of making up your mind; a judgment given by court; the final score in a sport or

contest ___________________________2. An artistic or dramatic production; OR a tiresome procedure; OR how a machine works;

OR the act, process, or art of performing ___________________________

3. Puffed up or enlarged, bloated; OR strong waves in the sea ________________________

4. Smart, jaunty or dashing; OR description of a boat suggesting speed _________________

decision rakish performance swollen brim

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________


5. The upper edge of something hollow; OR an edge that sticks out ___________________


1. A play at San Diego Theatre ___________________________

2. An extra-full cup of tea __________________

3. 5 to 4 in favor of the home team ________________________

4. A horrible storm’s affect on the sea _____________________________

5. The SeaDoo cut between the two ships and blasted away _______________________


1. Mr. Wormwood wore his hat at a _________________________ angle.

2. It was a difficult ____________________, but Harold chose to shave his head.

3. I couldn’t make out the man’s face, for it was shaded by the ___________________ of his hat.

4. Sure enough, there was a _________________________ pustule where the spider had bitten.

5. “What did you mean by that disgusting _____________________________ at the restaurant?!” the woman demanded of her date as they left.

Week 3: Wednesday


1. To move sneakily, usually with evil intent _________________________

spluttered ridiculous skulking permanent satisfactory

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________


2. Something that lasts forever; OR a wave or curl that is set into the hair by chemical process that lasts for a few months; OR stable, constant, and unchanging

_____________________3. To talk fast and a little confusingly; OR a sputtering sound; OR to spray someone or

something ____________________________4. Suitable, passable, meeting all the demands or requirements _______________________

5. Silly, laughable, absurd, preposterous ___________________________


1. An engine that isn’t working properly __________________________

2. A grade of B- on your test ______________________________

3. A tiger stalking its prey __________________________

4. Planting a pizza in hopes that a pizza plant will grow ____________________________

5. A tattoo done with needles and ink __________________________


1. “We got ice cweam wid gwanma!” the small boy __________________________ excitedly.

2. “Don’t be ________________________, Henry,” she shouted. “The car didn’t drive itself away!”

3. Shirley came to school the next day with a ________________________; her long, straight locks were now curled tightly into spirals down her back.

4. Freddie came up with a _____________________ solution for his boss’s problem.

5. No one saw the thief _____________________________ in the shadows.

Week 3: Thursday comparative infuriated intensified asinine snatching

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________



1. Made stronger or sharper _____________________2. To consider or describe something as similar; OR to examine in order to find similarities

or differences ____________________________3. Made furious or enraged; angry beyond reason _______________________

4. Making a sudden effort to grab something; OR kidnapping ________________________

5. Foolish, silly, or stupid _______________________


1. The leather couch or the upholstered one? _________________________

2. Refusing to wear a coat when it is snowing out ________________________

3. A thief and an old lady’s purse _______________________

4. The lens on a camera _______________________

5. Permanent red ink spilled on mother’s brand new white rug _______________________


1. Frank lives in a shack while Debbie lives in __________________________ luxury.

2. It _______________________ the girl to be accused of something she had not done.

3. It is surprising that supposedly intelligent people can make such __________________ statements.

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________


4. There was a segment on the news about a baby- ______________________ that had occurred sometime in the early morning hours.

5. The black pavement only _____________________ the heat of the day.

Week 4: Monday


1. Having, using, or showing good sense or judgment; OR significant in amount or size

_______________________2. Offensive or disgusting dirt or trash; OR foul condition; or moral corruption or obscenity

_________________________3. Fitting, becoming, appropriate, correct _______________________4. Barely noticeable; OR delicate in meaning or intent- difficult to understand; OR tricky,

sly, slick ________________________5. An overwhelming and painful feeling caused by something frightfully shocking,

terrifying, or revolting; a shuddering fear ________________________


1. Wearing sunblock at the beach _________________________

2. Pornography _______________________

3. The growth of a flower __________________________

4. A movie about a murderer on a killing spree _______________________

5. A math book to learn math _______________________

filth horror subtle sensible suitable

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________



1. All manner of ________________________ covered the dumpster.

2. “She’s a ____________________ young girl for you, Grant,” his mother said.

3. There was a ______________________ reduction in price on the computers for the Christmas season.

4. The police officer shrank back from the mutilated corpse in _______________________.

5. A _________________________ but enticing smell wafted from the kitchen; I knew dinner would be ready soon.

Week 4: Tuesday


1. Someone who breaks into a house with intent to steal ___________________2. To ease or make better; OR to lighten or lessen; OR to urinate or defecate; OR to acted as

a replacement pitcher in baseball __________________3. Walked, moved, or stood unsteadily; OR faltered or begin to give way; OR caused to

doubt, hesitated ______________________________4. Highly excitable; unnaturally uneasy or apprehensive, fearful _____________________

5. Excellent, amazing, wonderful, strange ___________________________


1. A firework display ________________________

2. A yippy little poodle that piddles when you pet it _________________________

staggered marvelous burglar nervous relieved

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________


3. After your trip to the restroom ________________________

4. A drunk man’s walk ______________________________

5. A housebreaker _________________________


1. The news _______________________________ her belief in the justice system.

2. A ___________________ broke into Dan’s house and stole all of his electronic equipment.

3. We had a _____________________________ weekend at the beach!

4. He _________________________ in 52 games for the Pirates last season.

5. George was ________________________ about the social studies test on Friday because he was having trouble memorizing the historical dates from the chapter.

Week 4: Wednesday


1. Positively- without question ________________________

2. High rank or dignity; worthy of high respect ________________________

3. Gripping or holding tightly; OR seizing with hands or claws ______________________

4. Horrifying, dismaying ___________________________

5. A structure containing a passage or flue by which smoke and gases of a fire or furnace

are carried off _____________________________

clutching chimney honorable definitely appalling

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________



1. A bird and its prey _______________________

2. The odds of rolling a number less than 7 on a regular die ______________________

3. A grade of 42% on your grammar quiz __________________________

4. The President of the United States ________________________

5. A flue ______________________


1. Jim received an ___________________________ discharge from the military.

2. The _______________________ belched a plume of smoke when the sweeper cleaned it.

3. You will ______________________________ do better on a test if you study for it!

4. She is _________________________ the child’s hand as they crossed the street.

5. The damage caused by the fire is __________________________.

Week 4: Thursday


1. Harsh, unnecessarily extreme; OR serious or stern; OR grave or critical ____________________

2. A chemical used to bleach or disinfect ____________________

obediently goggling exhausted severe peroxide

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________


3. Willing to obey; complying with or submissive to authority _______________________

4. Tired, worn out, used up completely; OR treated or studied thoroughly

_______________________5. Rolling, bulging or staring of the eyes ______________________


1. An empty gas tank ___________________________

2. T-Cell Cancer _________________________

3. Stupidly staring __________________________

4. H2O2 or Na2O2 ___________________________

5. A dog fetching a ball _________________________


1. The child __________________________ got down from the table and went to his room.

2. Maria, her eyes _________________________ vacantly, fell to the floor.

3. Mrs. Wormwood uses __________________________ to color her hair a platinum blonde.

4. Because of the _____________________ winds from the hurricane, many homes were destroyed.

5. After the 11 hour day of tilling the garden, Rachael was _________________________.

Week 5: Monday mixture cupboard devouring incapable straight

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________



1. A combination or blend of different elements, kinds, or qualities ____________________2. Without bend, angle or curve; OR to live a law-abiding life; OR to do something without

jokes or tricks; OR without delay; OR slang reference to being heterosexual

______________________3. A closet with shelves for dishes, food, clothes or other things _____________________4. Not having the necessary ability, qualification, or strength to perform a specified act or

function; OR without standard ability _______________________5. Swallowing or eating hungrily or rapidly; OR consuming destructively or recklessly (as

in a fire) _________________________


1. A cat eating a bird __________________________

2. Immediately _________________________

3. Cabinet _________________________

4. Pancake batter ________________________

5. Incompetent ________________________


1. The old woman was ________________________ of carrying her groceries up to her second story apartment.

2. The new school year brought a __________________________ of feelings for Greg.

3. “Listen, Marge,” the mechanic said, “I’ll give it to you ____________________:

your car ain’t going to drive no more, ‘less you replace that burnt up engine.”

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________


4. Harry Potter slept in the _____________________ under the stairs when he

wasn’t at school.5. The swollen ocean is ___________________________ the small beach town because of

the tsunami.

Week 5: Tuesday


1. A substance made or used in a chemical process; OR slang- narcotic or mind-altering

drugs or substances _______________________2. Full of mental distress or uneasiness because of fear of danger or misfortune, very

worried; OR very eager _________________________3. A loud, sharp, shrill cry or sound; OR a loud, high sound of laughter

___________________4. Magnificent, gorgeous, remarkable ____________________________

5. To cleanse of germs or disease __________________________


1. Winner of a beauty pageant __________________________

2. Nicotine, morphine, and opium __________________________

3. A father waiting for his late daughter to arrive home from a date ____________________

4. A fire alarm ___________________________

5. Using Ajax in the bathtub ___________________________

splendid shrieked chemical disinfect anxious

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________



1. Use 409 to _______________________ the kitchen counters before you wipe them.

2. “Well, I’ll tell you! We had the most ________________________ time at the party!”

3. Be careful when you are using bleach and ammonia; the ________________________ reaction if you mix the two will produce dangerous fumes.

4. The librarian _________________________ when a mouse scurried out of the

book trolley.5. We are _______________________ concerning the safety of our dear sons in battle.

Week 5: Wednesday


1. A strong, glass-like, clear, ceramic material- biscuit fired at a low temperature and then

glazed and fired at a very high temperature _______________________2. Making or forming by combining things, parts, or elements; OR being made up of

_________________________3. Rather large or great in size, distance, or extent; OR worthy of respect or attention

_______________________________4. Without hope, depressing, or dreary; OR bare, desolate, often windswept; OR cold and

piercing, raw ____________________5. Shaking with slight but rapid motion ______________________


bleak porcelainconsiderable quivery composing

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________


1. The difference between your grandmother’s taste in music and yours

____________________________2. The Sahara Desert _______________________

3. Writing an essay _________________________

4. Likely, your toilet _________________________

5. Trembling __________________________


1. After her father’s death, Molly began to have a _______________________ outlook on life.

2. The pastor took a __________________________ length of time to decide his sermon’s topic.

3. Jill’s legs were ___________________________ as she stepped up to the microphone to spell the word equanimous.

4. The waitress stumbled over the rug and the _________________________ dishes shattered on the floor.

5. ___________________________ of many different ingredients, Sasha finally mastered the recipe creation for orange chicken.

Week 5: Thursday


1. A person dedicated to sensual enjoyment; OR a person who takes pride in especially fine

things, such as food or wine _________________________2. A kind of humorous verse of five lines, in which the 1st, 2nd, and 5th lines rhyme with each

other, and the 3rd and 4th lines, which are shorter, form a rhymed pair

_______________________3. Shining brightly, sparkling, or glittering; OR having or showing great intelligence, talent,

or quality _______________________

hesitation epicure limerick brilliant astounded

Name: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________


4. Pausing while speaking; OR being unwilling, having doubts; OR holding back or being

slow to act ________________________5. Astonished greatly, shocked with wonder or surprise ________________________


1. Matilda’s poem “Jenny” __________________________

2. Hopefully, before you tell a lie __________________________

3. Surprised _________________________

4. A wine connoisseur _________________________

5. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart __________________________


1. Peter’s __________________________ cost him the championship.

2. The _________________________ lights of the city could be seen miles before we landed.

3. Alice became quite the _________________________, having rose petals scent her bath water, sweet champagne for after her bath, and silken sheets to sleep in.

4. The Drill Instructor was _________________________ when he discovered

that none of his recruits completed the PFT within military standards.

5. “I assure you, children,” smiled Miss Honey, “it is quite difficult to write a

_____________________ of your own.”

matilda- vocabulary building worksheets

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