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Homes: unit vocabulary

This is a list of a few useful or interesting words you'll find in this unit. You probably know some of them already, while others might be new to you. Take some time to get to know them all before you get started!
Word: adapt
(verb)
  • Definition: to change something to fit a new place or situation; to adjust
  • Sentence: It took a while for Miguel to adapt to his new neighborhood because it was so different from his old one.
Word: architect
(noun)
  • Definition: a person that designs, or comes up with, plans for buildings
  • Sentence: I’d like to be an architect when I’m older because I like to draw pictures of how I think buildings should look.
Word: dwelling
(noun)
  • Definition: a house, or place where someone lives
  • Sentence: The pirates’ secret dwelling was a cave hidden inside the face of a cliff.
Word: familiar
(adjective)
  • Definition: known well
  • Sentence: When Ishmael turned the corner on the old street, he saw a familiar building and knew he was in the right place.
Word: foundation
(noun)
  • Definition: something that supports a building from underneath
  • Sentence: Before you can build a house, you need to make sure to lay a good foundation or it might fall down!
Word: function
(noun)
  • Definition: the special purpose that something is made or used for
  • Sentence: The function of the fireplace is to create warmth.
Word: generous
(adjective)
  • Definition: helpful, giving
  • Sentence: When Malala first came to New York, her generous aunt bought her a new bed and some new clothes.
Word: practical
(adjective)
  • Definition: suitable, useful
  • Sentence: Those sparkly, purple pants just aren’t going to be practical for climbing Mount Everest.
Word: site
(noun)
  • Definition: a place where something is built, or where something happened
  • Sentence: The construction site was a busy place when the walls were going up.
Word: stable
(adjective)
  • Definition: hard to move; secure
  • Sentence: I don’t have to worry about my treehouse falling apart—it’s super stable because my stepmom built it!
Word: structure
(noun)
  • Definition: something built using other things, that usually stands on its own
  • Sentence: We used big, heavy pieces of wood to create the structure for our fort.

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