DesCarates: A Continuum of Learning Vocabulary

DesCartes: A Continuum of Learning®

VOCABULARY

for the Web-based MAP® system

DesCartes Vocabulary..................................................................................... 2

Reading .................................................................................................................. 2
Language Usage ........................................................................................................ 5
Mathematics ............................................................................................................ 8
Science................................................................................................................. 15

Concepts and Processes ......................................................................................... 15
General Science ................................................................................................... 20

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© 2010-2011 Northwest Evaluation Association, 121 NW Everett St, Portland, OR 97209
Telephone: 503-624-1951  FAX: 503-629-7873

June 2011 2010-2011 NWEA

DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

DesCartes Vocabulary

The following pages identify NWEA’s assessment vocabulary for reading, language usage,
mathematics, science concepts and processes, and general science. Within each DesCartes
subject area, vocabulary is included in the first RIT score range in which they appear. The
RIT score range here indicates when the corresponding group of words may need to be
introduced into the curriculum for this subject area, based on all NWEA data.

Reading

The following table identifies the reading assessment vocabulary at each RIT score range:
Table 1: Reading Vocabulary

RIT SCORE RANGE READING VOCABULARY  narrative  riddle
141–150  sentence
151–160  beginning sound  prefix  story
161–170  letter  report
 rhyme  root
171–180  ABC order  setting
 book  list  sign
 ending sound  main idea  syllable
 paragraph  note  table of contents
 nursery rhyme  thank-you note
 advertisement  opposite passage  vowel
 base  personal narrative  word family
 compound word  poem problem
 contraction  question  persuasive essay
 directions  effect  root word
 fairy tale  fable  rule
 folk tale  fact  schedule
 index  fantasy  science fiction
 journal  short story
 announcement  label  statement
 article  main character  suffix
 atlas  make-believe  tall tale
 author  newspaper  textbook
 author's purpose  nonfiction  title
 bias  opinion  title page
 biography  outline
 business letter
 category
 chapter
 character
 cookbook
 dictionary

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DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

RIT SCORE RANGE READING VOCABULARY  glossary historical  poet
181–190 fiction  poetry
 advertise  point of view
191–200  almanac  instructions  predict
 antonym  invitation  reference book
201–210  bibliography  legend  resource
 cause and effect  magazine  source
 characteristics  manual  summarize
 classify  mood  text
 conclusion  moral  theme
 conflict  multisyllabic  thesaurus
 definition  order of events  topic sentence
 describe  phrase  Venn diagram
 encyclopedia  play
 fiction  plot  novel
 genre  persuade
 fact and opinion  policy
 American literature  figure of speech  purpose
 analogy  recipe
 argue footnote  resolution
 caption  guide words  rhythm
 chart  infer  rising action
 climax  inference  science book
 compare  inform  speaker
 compare and contrast  job announcement  stanza
 description  labels  synonym
 detail  main point  topic
 develop  memoir  vocabulary
 drama  meter  word root
 entertain  myth  pamphlet
 essay  narrator  personal essay
 example  news  persuasion
 problem and solution
 acronym  dialogue  reference
 alliteration  diary  reference material
 anecdote  draft editorial  research
 annotated  evaluate  review
 exaggeration  satire
bibliography  excerpt  scene
 anthology  explain  secondary source
 argument  feeling field guide  sequence
 assumption  figurative language  simile
 autobiography  graph  speech
 book review  graphic organizer  summary
 British literature  homonym  verb
 brochure  literary device
 catalog  literary element 2010-2011 NWEA
 chronological order  map
 conclude  middle sound
 context
 conversation

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DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

RIT SCORE RANGE READING VOCABULARY  guide letters  prediction
211–220  headline hyperbole  present tense
 allusion  idiom  primary source
221–230  appendix  imagery  primary source historical
 cause  instruction
231–240  characterization  irony document
241–250  characterize  memo  pun
251-260  chronological  memorandum  quote
 classified ad  metaphor  research paper
 connotation  narrate  resolve
 coupon  onomatopoeia  revision
 debate  parable  subject
 diagram  personification  suspense
 exposition  persuasive  thesis paper
 falling action  picture book  word play
 flashback
 foreshadowing  journalism  term
 literature  third person
 aphorism  quotation  tone
 assonance  second person sonnet  viewpoint
 consonance  symbolism  voice
 contrast  table  world literature
 first person  tale
 form  stereotype
 homophone  paradox  symbolize
 pathetic fallacy  syntax
 archetype  standard English
 omniscient
 oxymoron  metric feet
 synecdoche
 cliché
 iambic pentameter  scansion

 antithesis
 parallelism

June 2011 4 2010-2011 NWEA

DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

Language Usage

The following table identifies the language usage assessment vocabulary at each RIT score
range:

Table 2: Language Usage Vocabulary

RIT SCORE RANGE LANGUAGE USAGE VOCABULARY
151–160
161–170  sentence

171–180  capital letter  invitation  possessive
 question
181–190  comma  letter  statement
 story
 command  mark paragraph  superlative

 comparative  period  report
 date  poem  sequence
 short story
 exclamation  sign
 spelling
 advertisement  exclamation point  verb
 word order
 apostrophe  greeting
 plural
 contraction  phrase  predicate
 publish
 cookbook  poetry pronoun  punctuate
 directions  proofread  revise
 run-on sentence
 edit  punctuation  semicolon
 signature
 essay  question mark  singular
 exclamation mark  stanza
 subject
 action verb  exclamatory sentence  title
 to describe
 address  fact  topic sentence
 audience  fairy tale  where
 writing process
 body  friendly letter

 book report  heading
 book title  hyphen

 brainstorm  indent

 business letter  journal
 capitalize  list main heading

 chronological order  main topic

 closing  narrative
 colon  noun

 compound sentence  nursery rhyme

 detail  outline
 diagram  passage

 diary  past tense

 draft  play

June 2011 5 2010-2011 NWEA

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RIT SCORE RANGE LANGUAGE USAGE VOCABULARY
191–200
 abbreviation  explanation  persuasive writing
201–210  adjective  expository  plot
 proper noun
 adverb  expository writing  quotation
 quotation mark
 advertise  fantasy  research
 review
 argument  fiction  revision
 rhyme
 article  figurative language  salutation
 schedule
 author's purpose  folk tale  science fiction
 setting
 bibliography  form  subject-verb

 biography  future tense agreement
 tense
 book review  grammar  textbook
 cause and effect  graphic organizer  thesaurus
 to entertain
 character  imperative sentence  to inform
 classified ad  introduction  to persuade
 topic
 clause  letter closing  verb phrase
 when
 compare  literary analysis
 prepositional
 compare and contrast  main idea phrase

 composition  manual  present tense
 sentence fragment
 conclusion  margin  simile
 singular noun
 creative writing  memo  slang
 subordinate clause
 data  mood
supporting detail
 description  narrative writing  symbol
 descriptive writing  nonfiction  syntax
 thank-you note
 dictionary  novel  thesis statement
 transition
 drama  opinion  word choice
 ending

 antecedent  format

 argumentative essay  freewrite
 author  graph

 autobiography  informative essay

 book  interrogative sentence
 caret  introductory sentence

 chart  legend

 declarative sentence  linking verb
definition  literature
 log magazine
 dependent clause  main verb
 direct object  make-believe
 direct quotation  mystery
 encyclopedia  myth object
 explain  pamphlet
 formal essay  parentheses
 formal language

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RIT SCORE RANGE LANGUAGE USAGE VOCABULARY
211–220
 abstract  hyperbole  plural possessive
221-230  active voice  idiom  preposition
231–240  present participle
241–250  alphabetical order  imagery  prewrite
 prewriting
 analyze  independent clause  primary source
 problem and
 application  infinitive phrase
solution
 appositive  instructions  process essay
 purpose
 capitalization  interjection  resumé
 rhetorical question
 characteristics  journalistic  rough draft
 simple sentence
 cluster  language  source
 summarize
 comma splice  limerick  summary
 common noun  main clause  synonym
 theme
 comparison  main point  to explain
 complex sentence  metaphor  tone
 verse
 compound-complex  modifier  visualize
sentence  noun clause  voice
 noun phrase
 conjunction  onomatopoeia  persuasive
 contrast  organization argument
 documentation  parallelism
 editorial  part of speech  plagiarize
 exposition  participial phrase  predicate noun
 expository essay  participle  reflexive pronoun
 figure of speech  persona  symbolism
 fragment  personification
 generalization  italics
 how-to essay  nominative pronoun
 objective pronoun
 alliteration  expository paragraph  supporting

 allusion  irony evidence
 analogy  literary device  tragedy
 underlining
 assonance  literary response  works cited

 cliché  paraphrase

 compose  parody

 consonance  participial

 appositive  dash
 adjective clause  ellipsis

 adjective phrase  epic poem

 adverb clause  fable footnote

 allegory  formal outline

 analysis  gerund

 apostrophes  hypothesis
 chapter  infinitive

 colloquialism

 anecdote

June 2011 7 2010-2011 NWEA

DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

Mathematics

The following table identifies the mathematics usage assessment vocabulary at each RIT
score range:

Table 3: Mathematics Vocabulary

RIT SCORE RANGE MATHEMATICS VOCABULARY
151–160
161–170  estimate  length  shape
 size
171–180  half  most  tallest
 inch  same
 penny
 add  feet  pyramid
 rectangle
 addend  flat  shortest
 centimeter  largest  sphere
 square
 circle  longest  tall
 triangle
 cone  more number
 corner  number line  pound
 quart
 cylinder  number sentence  represent
 similar
 equal  pattern  square unit
 subtract
 between  hour  sum
 table
 cent  hundred  temperature
 ten
 count  hundreds  tens
 cube  less than  thermometer
 thousand
 diamond  line segment  time
 total
 dime  metric  whole number

 divide  minute

 dollar  model

 even number  most likely
 fact family  multiply

 factor  numeral

 fewest  one
 figure  ones

 gram  ounce

 graph  outside
 greater  perimeter

 greater than

June 2011 8 2010-2011 NWEA

DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

RIT SCORE RANGE MATHEMATICS VOCABULARY
181-190
 addition  fraction  point
 quarter
 after  gallon  rate
 rotation
 angle  geometric figure  round
 row
 area  half past  second
 sentence
 average  height  set
 seventh
 before  kilometer  side
 slide
 Celsius  large  smallest
 solve
 chance  least  symmetry
 tablespoon
 chart  less  taller
 teaspoon
 clock  line  ten thousand
 tenth
 clockwise  line of symmetry  thirds
 turn
 closest  liter  unit
 width
 congruent  lowest  yard
 year
 cost  measure

 counting order  meter

 cup  mile

 day  more than

 degree  morning

 distance  most often

 divisible  multiplication

 dozen  nickel

 equation  noon

 estimation  o'clock

 flip  odd number

 foot  order

 fourths  pint

June 2011 9 2010-2011 NWEA

DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

RIT SCORE RANGE MATHEMATICS VOCABULARY
191–200
 approximate  latest  right angle
 rise
 coins  line graph  rod
 same shape
 composite number  measurement  scale
 sign
 consecutive  miles per hour  spinner
 square inch
 decade  milliliter  subtraction
 subtrahend
 deposit  million  surface
 symbol
 diagonal  nearest  thousands
 thousandth
 diagram  number statement  ton
 unifix cubes
 difference  operation  value
 vertical line
 digit  parallel  weight
 what time
 division  parallelogram  zero

 dollar sign  percent

 face  perpendicular

 fact  polygon

 Fahrenheit  prime number

 fewer  product

 first  quarter past

 fourth  quarter to

 greatest  ray

 hundredth  rectangular prism

 intersect  rectangular solid

 kilogram

June 2011 10 2010-2011 NWEA

DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

RIT SCORE RANGE MATHEMATICS VOCABULARY
201–210
 about how much  inside  proportion
 quadrilateral
 acute angle  inverse operation  random
 rectangular
 altitude  kite  rectangular box
 regroup
 bar graph  larger  regular polygon
 rename
 base  less likely  rhombus
 rule
 below  lowest common  ruler
 biggest denominator  sequence
 billion  skew
 capacity  magic square  speed
 change  mass  square number
 circumference  mathematical statement  standard numeral
 compatible numbers  maximum  statement
 coordinate point  miles per gallon  straight
 cubic unit  milligram  symmetrical
 data  millimeter  ten thousands
 decameter  Minimum  times
 decimeter  mirror image  trapezoid
 decrease  mixed number  triple
 double  multiple  twist
 east  negative  volume
 equivalent  north  week
 expanded numeral  number cube  when
 fold  obtuse angle  wide
 greatest common  octagon
 ordered pair
factor  origin

 grid  oval

 how many more  pentagon

 hundred million  plane

 hundred thousand  positive

 hundredths  probability

June 2011 11 2010-2011 NWEA

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RIT SCORE RANGE MATHEMATICS VOCABULARY
211–220
 above  high  radius
 ratio
 century  how many  reduce
 reflection
 circle graph  hundred thousands  region
 remainder
 column  increase  Roman numeral
 simplify
 combinations  integer  smaller
 south
 common multiple  least common  square centimeter
 commutative denominator  square feet
 compare  square mile
 congruent angle  likelihood  straight angle
 cord  line of best fit  systematic list
 date  line plot  tails
 decimal  lowest terms  three-dimensional
 decimal form  mean  transformation
 decimal point  micrometer  translation
 diameter  mileage table  triangular prism
 dice  month  trillion
 dilation  odd  union
 evaluate  parallel line  vertex
 factor tree  perpendicular line  vertical angle
 fitted line  place value  west
 formula  plus
 function  proof
 geometric solid  property
 heads  protractor
 hectometer  prove
 quintillion

June 2011 12 2010-2011 NWEA

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RIT SCORE RANGE MATHEMATICS VOCABULARY
221–230
 5-frame  enlargement  positive linear
231–240  absolute value  equilateral relationship

 algebra  experimental probability  predict
 prime factorization
 algebraic equation  expression  quadrant
 real number
 annual  fastest  rectangular shape
 reflexive
 associative  frequency table  scalene triangle
 scatter plot
 bill  heaviest  shorter
 square meter
 box-and-whisker plot  inequality  standard form
 stem and leaf plot
 center  interest  substitution
 survey
 coin  isosceles triangle  ten million
 ten thousandth
 common denominator  lightest  theoretical probability
 thousandths
 common factor  longer mathematical  transitive
 compute sentence  twice
 constant
 coordinate  median  scale factor
 cubic centimeter  middle  scale model
 cubic feet  midpoint  scientific notation
 cubic meter  mode  secant
 cubic millimeter  net  short
 cubic yard  ninth  slope
 dimension  obtuse triangle  solution
 distributive  outcome  square pyramid
 edge  partial product  square region
 pi  successive
 system of equations
 acute triangle  how long  tangent
 tax
 algebraic sentence  how much time  tenth power
 tenths
 arc  incline  term
 tessellation
 arithmetic progression  interior angle  tripled
 upper quartile
 borrow  interval  vector
 vertical
 chord  kilowatt

 congruent side  long
 convert  lower quartile

 corresponding angle  magnitude

 corresponding side  matrix

 cross-section area  meters per minute

 cubed  minus

 cubic inch  opposite

 data point  outlier

 discount  parabola

 ellipse  percentile
 equality  power

 expanded notation  quadrupled

 exponent  range
 frequency  right triangle

 half hour  sample

 horizontal

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RIT SCORE RANGE MATHEMATICS VOCABULARY
241–250
 adjacent angle  equiangular triangle  rectangular area
251–260  algebra tile  equilateral triangle  regression equation
 semicircle
261–270  alternate exterior  function table  series
271–280 angle  hyperbolic  square yard
281–290  hypotenuse  squared
 alternate interior  infinite  sum of measures
angle  interquartile range  supplementary
 least common multiple  surface area
 angle bisector  leg  symmetric
 average salary  linear foot  times table
 commission  linear graph  valid
 complementary angle  linear pair  velocity
 conclusion  number sequence  whole
 congruent triangle  point of intersection  wider
 construction  precise  x-axis
 converse  prime factor  y-axis
 correlation  Pythagorean theorem  supplementary angle
 domain  time-and-a-half
 equation of a line  transversal
 undefined
 central angle  quartile  variable
 x-coordinate
 coordinate plane  regular hexagon  y-coordinate
 y-intercept
 exterior angle  representative sample
 rotational symmetry
 feet per second  right cylinder  semi-annual
 sine
 heptagon  right pyramid  trigonometric function
 trigonometric
 hexagon  slant height
relationship
 how much  slope-intercept form  x-intercept

 inscribe  solution set  decagon

 polynomial  square kilometer  reciprocal

 adjacent side  depreciate
 axis  empty set

 circular  geometric series

 collinear  line symmetry

 cosecant  opposite side

 cosine  point symmetry

 counterexample  regular pentagon

 axis of symmetry  perpendicular bisector

 bisector

 exponential  inverse
 identity  log

June 2011 14 2010-2011 NWEA

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Science

The following pages identify NWEA’s assessment vocabulary for science concepts and
processes, and general science.

Concepts and Processes

The following table identifies the science (concepts and processes) usage assessment
vocabulary at each RIT score range:

Table 4: Science, Concepts and Processes Vocabulary

RIT SCORE CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES VOCABULARY
RANGE
 liquid  find out  scale (tool)
161–170  flame  science
 after  flower  shape
171–180  before  gas  side
 belong  match  solid
 bird  moving  Sun
 candle  number order  technology
 cause  person  time
 change  plant  tree
 compare  rank  variable
 count  represent  water
 direction  rock  weigh
 electricity
 energy

June 2011 15 2010-2011 NWEA

DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

RIT SCORE CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES VOCABULARY
RANGE
 accurate  grow  reason
181–190  air  have in common  record
 balance (tool)  heat  report
 chart  heat energy  rough
 cold  height  ruler
 common  hot  scientist
 conclude  information  see
 determine  interaction  sense
 Earth  length  shelter
 effect  light  sight
 energy source  magnifying glass  size
 estimate  matter  smell
 expect  measure  smooth
 experiment  measurement metric  soil
 feel  solar
 feet (measurement) ruler  sound
 field (meadow)  Moon  sour
 information  mountain  steam
 fire  move  switch
 food  nonliving  taste
 form  object  telescope
 form of matter  observation  temperature
 freeze  observe  thermometer
 fuel  oil  tool
 gasoline  operational definition  touch
 graph  organism  universe
 gravity  people  wind
 group  probable reason  wire
 question
 radio

June 2011 16 2010-2011 NWEA

DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

RIT SCORE CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES VOCABULARY
RANGE
191–200  (data) log  hypothesis  pull
 animal  identify  quantification
201–210  atmosphere  image  quantify
 average  infer  rain
 Celsius  insect  regular pattern
 centimeter  interact  reliable
 chemical energy  investigation  result
 classify  kinetic energy  river
 color  infer  rotation
 compressed  insect  sand
 computer  interact  scientific theory
 conclusion  investigation  second
 condense  kinetic energy  seed
 condition  leaf  seeing
 constant  light energy  senses
 control variables  live  sequence
 cool  lung  series
 creek  magnet  situation
 cycle  magnifying lens  sky
 cyclic pattern  material  smelling
 data  microscope  solar energy
 day  model  space
 degree  molecule  speed
 diagram  motion  spring (metal)
 direct observation  notes  state of matter
 directions  nuclear energy  stethoscope
 distance  ocean  stick
 eat  opinion  stored energy
 enlarge  pattern  study
 evolution  percentage  support
 experimental result  perception  table
 extend  period  tasting
 fact  population  theory
 field  potential energy  time zones
 force  power  vibration
 gradient  predict  vision
 gradual change  prediction  volume
 ground  pressure  weight
 hand lens  process  world
 hear  proportion  X-ray machine

 absolute knowledge  gather  problem
 affect  generalization  purpose
 apparent size  graduated cylinder  push
 area  gravitational field  quality

June 2011 17 2010-2011 NWEA

DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

RIT SCORE CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES VOCABULARY
RANGE

 arrangement  habitat  quantity
 balance (equilibrium)  hold constant  random group
 breathe  hour  ray
 chance  ice  reject
 characteristic  imbalance  replicate
 circle  inference  research
 claim  instrument  reversible
 comet  interpret data  scale (measurement)
 communicate  scale (size)
 contact investigate  scientific law
 crystal  justify  scientific model
 deceleration  level  shell
 deep space  machine  significant
 density  magnification power  slope
 describe  mass  southwest
 design  meter stick  statistics
 discard  mile  surface
 disease  movement  system
 disequilibrium  muscle  test
 east  negative deceleration  texture
 equilibrium  north  thermostat
 evaluate  nutrition  time interval
 evidence  observable  trial-and-error
 evolutionary change  orderly
 evolve  per procedure unit
 exert  pH meter  valid
 explain  physical model  velocity
 explanation  point  volcano
 extinct  population control  wave
 factor  precise  west
 field of view  predator  winter
 friction  predictable  year

June 2011 18 2010-2011 NWEA

DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

RIT SCORE CONCEPTS AND PROCESSES VOCABULARY
RANGE
211–220  accelerate  geothermal  precision
 balance  heating  probable
221–230  beaker  hypothesize  quantitative
 birth rate  inconclusive  random
231–240  coal  increase  rate
 coincidence  independent variable  reasonable result
 column  indicate  regular increase
 composition  interval  regulated
 cyclic  judgment  renewable energy source
 cyclic phenomenon  life function  renewable resource
 decrease  life-span  repeat
 dependent  mechanical  repel
 design experiment  mechanism  replication
 diameter  meter  reproduce
 diesel  natural gas  reproduction
 double-pan  negatively-charged  results
 balance  nonrenewable energy  scale model
 electrical  scaled up
 electrical field resource  sphere
 electrically neutral  nuclear  testable
 episodic  number pattern  theorize
 evolutionary trend  orderly pattern  three-dimensional space
 experimentation  pendulum  trial
 eyewitness  phenomena  two-dimensional space
 formulate model  physical property  vary
 geologist  plate  wood
 positively-charged
 abiotic factor  principle
 assumption  input  procedure
 attraction  intensity  regular time interval
 biotic factor  invalid (data)  replicable
 compass  living  researcher
 control  magnetic  respiration
 controlled experiment  magnetic field  scientific
 conversion  scientific evidence
 current modification  scientific method
 dimensions  northern lights  sea level
 elevation  output  sense extender
 event  Periodic Table of the  separation
 factual  source
 finding (scientific) Elements
 pole  validation
 cancellation  position
 opposing forces
 qualitative
 significance

June 2011 19 2010-2011 NWEA

DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

General Science

The following table identifies the general science usage assessment vocabulary at each RIT
score range:

Table 5: Science, General Science Vocabulary

RIT SCORE SCIENCE, GENERAL SCIENCE VOCABULARY
RANGE
161–170  animal  egg  life cycle  smog
 bird  snow
171–180  fall fish  mountain  soil
 (pine) cone  flower  neck  spider
 air  fog  need  spring
 amphibian  forest  nest  stage
 bean  frog  ocean  stem
 body  gasoline  plant  summer
 breathe  gill  protect  Sun
 bud  grow  pull  temperature
 burrow  hail  push  time
 caterpillar  hatch  worm  toad
 cave  head  reptile  tree
 cloud  hibernate  rock root  turtle
 coal  hot  season  waist
 cool  ice  seed  weather
 cycle  jungle  seedling  wind
 den  leaf  shell
 desert  leg  shoulder
 dew  liquid  skin
 drown  mammal  sleet
 Earth

June 2011 20 2010-2011 NWEA

DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

RIT SCORE SCIENCE, GENERAL SCIENCE VOCABULARY
RANGE
 (egg) shell  energy  mantle  shadow
181–190  absorb  evaporation  map  shrub
 active  feather  Mars  sight
 alive  feel  measure  signal
 Alpha Centauri  fossil  measuring cup  sleep
 anemometer  friction  Mercury (planet)  smell
 atmosphere  fungus  metal  solar system
 autumn  gas  meter  solid
 backbone  grain  milk  sound
 bacteria  gravity  minute  spears
 balance (scale)  hair  mold  spring scale
 bank  hear  Moon  star
 barometer  heart  mouth  steam
 beach  heat  natural resource  stomach
 beak  height  nectar  stone
 body of water  herb  night  store
 bone  herbivore  nutrient  stream
 bush  hind  observe  structure
 calorie  hydrometer  ocean floor  sunlight
 carbon dioxide  hygrometer  Orion  surface
 carnivore  inch  oxygen  swim
 cavities  Inertia  precipitation  tar
 clam  insect  pump  taste
 cold-blooded  intestines  recycle  thermometer
 condensation  iron  rib planet  tool
 conservation  Jupiter  Pluto  touch
 core  knee  polarization  unit of measure
 crust  land  Pole Star  Uranus
 crystal  length  polluted  vine
 day  light  pollution  vitamin
 daytime  living  salt  water
 degree  load  sand  water cycle
 drink  lung  Saturn  water vapor
 earthquake  magnet  scale  winter
 efficiency  magnetic field  seasonal change  wood
 electricity  magnetism  see  woods
 enemy  magnifying glass  sense  work

June 2011 21 2010-2011 NWEA

DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

RIT SCORE SCIENCE, GENERAL SCIENCE VOCABULARY
RANGE
 abdomen  developmental  granite  movement
191–200  adapt sequence  gravitational  muscular system
 asteroid  mushroom
 atom  diagram force  nebula
 attract  digestion  ground  Neptune
 attraction  digestive system  ground wire  nitrogen
 axis  direct (sunlight)  group  nocturnal
 bark  direction  growth  nymph
 blood  dissolve  gust  observation
 body part  distance  habitat  obsidian
 body segments  down draft  heat energy  obtain
 boil  dust  hibernation  ocean current
 breeze  Earth's surface  hide  order
 bristle  echo  high-pitched  organism
 camouflage  electrical  host  parasite
 cat  humidity  particle
 cell conductor  hunger  petal
 cell wall  electrical energy  hydrogen  photosynthesis
 cephalothorax  electrical force  hypothesize  pitch
 change  electromagnetism  inference  plant cell
 characteristic  energy source  ingestion  plant-eater
 chloroplast  equilibrium  internal  Polaris
 circulation  erosion  intestine  predator
 circulatory  esophagus  invertebrate  prevailing wind
 evaporate  larva  prey
system  exercise  latitude  producer
 classification  experimentation  lava  protection
 classify  explanation  layer  protective
 claw  extinct  lever
 climate  feline  lightning coloration
 cohesion  field  lignite  pupa
 color  fire  loud  rabbit
 comet  flood  low-pitched  rate
 complete  food chain  lubricant  reflect
 food web  lysosome  relationship
(circuit)  force  magma  repel
 condense  form  mass  reproduce
 constant  four-chambered  matter  reproduction
 consumer  meat-eater  reproductive
 container heart  melt
 Coriolis force  freeze  mineral system
 crack  fruit  mix  respiratory
 cross section  fulcrum  molecule
 cubic  function  month system
 daylight  galaxy  moon (satellite)  response
 decay  gale  motion  rest
 defense  gather  revolve
 geographic area  rotate

June 2011 22 2010-2011 NWEA

DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

RIT SCORE SCIENCE, GENERAL SCIENCE VOCABULARY
RANGE
 running water  spines (bristles)  tissue  wave
191-200  scatter  spore  tornado  wearing
continued  seed coat  stages of growth  turning point
 segment  states of matter  vacuole away/down
 shape  static electricity  vapor  weather cycle
 shelter  stratosphere  Venus  weathering
 simple circuit  substance  vertebrate  wedge
 simple machine  support  vibration  week
 Sirius  survive  volcanic eruption  weigh
 skeleton  system  volcano  weight
 slate  thorax  volume  wind form
 solution  thunder  warm-blooded  wing
 source  tide  waste  wolf
 spinal cord  tilt  waterwheel  year

June 2011 23 2010-2011 NWEA

DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

RIT SCORE SCIENCE, GENERAL SCIENCE VOCABULARY
RANGE
 absorption  circuit overload  element  hereditary
201–210  acid  circulate  eliminate information
 air pressure  collide  ellipse
 air quality  column  embryo  heredity
 air resistance  commodity  environment  horizontal
 alcohol  community  equinox  hour
 aluminum  compaction  evidence  human
 amphibious  compass  evolution  hypothesis
 angstrom  compass needle  excrete  igneous rock
 animal cell  complete  exhale  inclined plane
 antenna  exoskeleton  individual
 anus metamorphosis  expand
 arthropod composition  factor consumption
 atomic structure  compound  falling star  inert
 ATP  compound  fault line  insulate
 balance (tool) machine  feet  insulation
 ball-and-socket  conduct  female  irrigation
 conductor  fertilization  jellyfish
joint  constellation  filament  jointed leg
 bar magnet  consume  fin fission  kidney
 base  contract  fluctuate  kilometer
 bill  convert  food supply  kilowatt hour
 biome  copper  foot  kinetic
 birth rate  crater  forecast  kinetic energy
 bladder  cross (genetic)  fossil fuel  landslide
 blue-green algae  crustacean  four-legged  large intestine
 body section  cytoplasm  frost  life zone
 body system  dam  fungi  light energy
 branch  death rate  funnel  light switch
 broken (circuit)  decomposer  fuse  light-year
 canyon  density  fused (circuit)  litmus paper
 carbon monoxide  develop  fusion  machine
 cause  development  gaseous  magnesium
 cavern  diffuse  generation  material
 cell membrane  digest  generator  measurement
 cell theory  discharge  genetics  membrane
 Celsius  distilled water  genotype  mercury
 change over time  DNA  glaciation
 chemical  droplet  glacier (element)
 chemical  east  gravitational  message
 echinoderm  metamorphic
property  ecological cycle attraction
 chemical  ecology  greenhouse rock
 electric current  meteor
weathering  electrical outlet effect  meteorite
 chlorophyll  electron  hand lens  meteorologist
 circuit  migrate
 circuit breaker hardness  mile
 minimize

June 2011 24 2010-2011 NWEA

DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

RIT SCORE SCIENCE, GENERAL SCIENCE VOCABULARY
RANGE
 mitochondria  physical universe  scales  vertical row
201-210  mixture  polar attraction  scientist  vibrate
continued  molecular motion  polarize  screw  visible
 mollusk  pole  sea  vocal cords
 muscle  pollen  sea level  water pressure
 native  pollination  sediment  water supply
 natural gas  pollutant  sedimentary rock  web sublimation
 negatively  population  sedimentation  succession
 porous rock  seismograph  sugar
charged  potential energy  selenium  sulfur dioxide
 nervous system  power  series circuit  sulfur/sulphur
 neutral  prairie dog  set  surface area
 neutron  pressure  sewage  switch
 Newton  prism  silver  symbiosis
 niche  process  sinkhole  synthesis
 nitrogen cycle  protein  size  texture
 nitrogen dioxide  proton  skeletal system  thaw
 nonmetal  pulley  skull  thermos jug
 nova  rainfall  sky  tidal wave
 nuclear  red blood cell  slide  tin
 refract  slope  transpiration
membrane  regulate  small intestine  transport
 nucleolus  relative age  social  trout
 nucleus  remains  solute  turbine
 offspring  respiration  solvent  umbilical cord
 oil  respiratory  sound energy  unit
 oil well  ribosome  source of energy  uranium
 orbit  river  space  urinary bladder
 organ  rock cycle  species  uterus
 organ system  rock layer  spectrum  vaporize
 osmosis  rodent  speed  vegetation
 ovary  room  speed of light  well
 parallel circuit  speed of sound  west
 paramecia temperature  sperm  wheel and axle
 pattern  row  sphere  wind speed
 percolating  sand dune  state  wire
 pest  saturation  stationary  yolk sac
 petrification  scale (skin)
 phase
 physical union

June 2011 25 2010-2011 NWEA

DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

RIT SCORE SCIENCE, GENERAL SCIENCE VOCABULARY
RANGE
211–220  abyssal floor  change of state  electrical wire  ground water
 abyssal plain  chemical bond  electron affinity  heart disease
June 2011  agent  chemical change  endoplasmic  helium
 air mass  chemical energy  humid
 air pollution  chemical reaction reticulum  hurricane
 algae  chlorine  environmental  identify
 alpha particle  chromosome  igneous
 amber  circuit tester condition  illumination
 anatomy  cirrus  enzyme  implantation
 angle  cleavage  erode  infection
 annelida  closed container  excretory system  infectious disease
 area of influence  cnidaria  explosion  infrared
 arm (parts of  cold front  expression  inner core
 colony  external  instrument
balance)  conception  insulator
 artery  coniferous tree appendage  interaction
 artesian well  continental  eye of a  interphase
 arthropoda  interrelationship
 ash margin hurricane  involuntary
 atmospheric  continental shelf  fair (weather)
 continental slope  fat responses
pollution  crossing over  fault  ion
 atoll  crustal plate  faulting  isotope
 atomic energy  current  fertilized  lichen
 atomic mass  cyclone  first class lever  life span
 atomic number  decompose  fixed orbit  limestone
 average atomic  deep-water zone  flat  liter
 dehydrate  float  lithium
mass  dense  focal length  live birth
 balance  deposit  focal point  liver
 basalt  deposition  folding  long-range effect
 base (parts of  determine  food  lymphatic system
 diet  food pyramid  magnetic
balance)  dimmer  marble
 battery (ecological)  mass number
 behavior (electrical)  formation  mate
 beta particle  disease  formula  measurable
 biomass  dominant  frequency  meiosis
 body fat  dry cell battery  fresh water  melting point
 boiling point  dry ice  front  mercury
 boundary  duplicate  full moon
 brake  Earth process  gastrulation barometer
 brass  Earth's crust  gear  mercury
 capillary  echinodermata  gene
 carbon  ecosystem  genetic material thermometer
 cell division  effort  gestation  meteoroid
 cellulose  electrical shock  geyser  microorganism
 centi-  glucose  mid-ocean ridge
 centriole  Golgi body
 change of phase  gram

26 2010-2011 NWEA

DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

RIT SCORE SCIENCE, GENERAL SCIENCE VOCABULARY
RANGE
 Milky Way Galaxy  petrified wood  refraction  trait
211-220  milli-  petroleum  region  transmission
continued  mitosis  phase change  renewable  trench
 model  phylum  renewable energy  tube
 mollusca  physical change  renewable  ultraviolet
 moss  physical  undisturbed
 mutation resource  vacuum
 NASA environment  replacement  valence
 natural resources  pigment  reservoir  valley
 new moon  pistil  resource  vein
 nonliving  plasma  rift valley  vertical
 nonrenewable  plasma  S.I. system  virus
 Northern  salinity  visible spectrum
membrane  satellite  warm front
Hemisphere  plate  saturation point  watt
 nuclear  platelet  scale (tool)  wave action
 nuclear explosion  population  sea floor  wavelength
 nuclear power  seamount  white blood cell
 oak growth  spectroscope  white dwarf
 ore  positively  sponge  yeast
 organelle  stamen  seawater
 outer core charged  stigma  section
 overcrowding  prediction  stress  sedimentary
 overpopulate  preserve  sublimate  selective
 overweight  property  submerge
 ovulation  proportion  symbol breeding
 ovule  protoplasm  synthesize  sex
 pan (parts of  protozoa  taxonomy  shale
 pumice  tectonic plate  shallow-water
balance)  radiation  test
 parent material  radioactive waste  tidal zone
 penetrate  ray  tidal forces  single-celled
 period of  react  tide action  smoking
 reaction  trace elements  solar
revolution  recessive  solubility point
 Periodic Table of  recycling
 reef
the Elements  reflection

June 2011 27 2010-2011 NWEA

DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

RIT SCORE SCIENCE, GENERAL SCIENCE VOCABULARY
RANGE
 (plant) cell wall  conservation of  gravitational field  parathormone
221–230  abiotic factor mass  guard cell  Pasteur
 Halley's Comet  pH
 acid rain  conserve  high  phenotype
 active transport  constitute  holdfast  phosphate
 convect  hormone  phosphorous
 additive  convergent plate  hydroelectric  phototropism
 adrenalin  plains
boundary power  plant matter
 algal bloom  corrosion  inherited  plasmodium
 alternating  cosmic rays  inorganic  plastid
 cover crop  insulin  prehistoric
circuit  cumulus  intensity  product
 alternative  Darwin  inversion  protein synthesis
 ionic  protist
energy source  DDT  iron filings  pseudopod
 altitude  deletion delta  kilogram  radiate
 diffusion  kingdom  rainforest
 amino acid  divergent plate  Leeuwenhoek  random
 amoeba  Linnaeus  rate of entry
boundary  lipids  reactant
 amplitude  Dmitri Mendeleev  location  reaction force
 appendix  effect  locomotion  reactor site
 electric  lowland  reduction division
 aquifer  electrical field  lubricate  rock face
 artificial  embed  metal plate  runoff
 energy releasing  metallic  San Andreas fault
selection asteroid  methane  sandstone
belt process  Milky Way  Schwann
 bacteria of decay  erupt  milliliter  seashell
 biologist  estrogen  mineral content  second
 extrusive  moisture  separate
 blood sugar level  family  mudstone  settle
 brain  fault zone  multiplication  shore
 fermentation  natural selection  sift
 breccia  flagella  negative  sodium chloride
 breeder  flatworm  neutralize  solar power
 carbohydrate  flow  nimbus  specialization
 follicle-  nuclear energy  specimen
 catalyst  nuclear fission  star cluster
 cellular stimulating  nuclear reaction  starch
hormone  nuclear reactor  stimulus
respiration  fracture  nucleic acid  stinging cell
 cellular structure  fuel  oceanic crust  stomate
 gene frequency  oil deposit  stored energy
 centrifugal force  pancreas
 charge  gene pool
 genus
 charged particle  gold
 chitin  graduated

 cilia cylinder
 class  grams
 class (taxonomy)  grassland

 classification
system

 competition

 conduction
 conjugation
 conservation

biologist

June 2011 28 2010-2011 NWEA

DESCARTES: A CONTINUUM OF LEARNING—VOCABULARY

RIT SCORE SCIENCE, GENERAL SCIENCE VOCABULARY
RANGE
221-230  stratus  substitution  thunderhead  tundra
continued  streak (test)  substratum  tidal power  vestigial
 subdivision  surface wind  transfer
231–240  subduction  survival  translocation structure
 symmetrical  transportation  volcanic action
boundary  xylem
 subsoil  electrochemical  high tide
impulse  joule  phagocytosis
 axon  liverfluke  phenolphthalein
 basic  evacuate  loudness  pinocytosis
 climate condition (container)  low tide  pioneer (plant)
 climax  maturation  platyhelminthes
 coelenterata  flood tide  nematoda  Richter scale
 conglomerate  genetic structure  neuron  sequence
 daughter cell  geotropism  neurotransmitter  siltstone
 decibel  germination  overtone  synapse
 deep-sea trench  hertz
 divide  high pressure
 ebb tide
system

June 2011 29 2010-2011 NWEA