Dark clouds gathered in the sky, and the wind began to howl like a wolf. Maria knew a storm was coming. She rushed to bring her bicycle inside before the rain started.
Within minutes, the torrential rain poured down so hard that Maria couldn't see across the street. Water rushed down the gutters like small rivers. She was glad she had made it inside just in time.
The thunder was deafening, so loud that Maria had to cover her ears. Her little brother looked anxious as he hugged his teddy bear tightly, his eyes wide with worry.
"Don't worry," Maria said in a reassuring voice that made him feel safe. "The storm will pass soon, and then we can go outside and splash in the puddles!"
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Meaning:
Type of clue (definition, example, synonym, antonym, or inference):
Jamal felt apprehensive, or nervous, as he walked into the gymnasium for the science fair. His project on renewable energy had taken months to complete, and he hoped the judges would be impressed.
The gymnasium was filled with innovative projects. Unlike the simple poster boards Jamal had seen at last year's fair, this year's displays included working robots, erupting volcanoes, and even a model solar-powered car.
When the judges stopped at his table, Jamal took a deep breath and began to elaborate on his project. He didn't just give a short answer - he explained every detail about how solar panels work and why renewable energy is important for the future.
After his presentation, the judges nodded and smiled. One judge said, "Your project is exceptional - truly outstanding work!" Jamal beamed with pride.
At the end of the day, Jamal received a blue ribbon. All his hard work and dedication, spending hours and hours perfecting every part of his project, had paid off.
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Meaning:
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A moving truck pulled up to the house next door. Sofia watched curiously as a family began to unload their belongings - the opposite of loading them onto the truck.
Sofia noticed a girl about her age carrying a box labeled "Books." The girl looked overwhelmed as she struggled with the heavy box while also trying to hold onto a leash attached to an energetic puppy.
"Let me help!" Sofia called out. She took the leash so the girl could focus on the box. The puppy immediately began to frolic in the grass, jumping, running, and rolling around playfully.
The girl smiled gratefully. "Thanks! I'm Maya. We just moved here from California."
"I'm Sofia. Welcome to the neighborhood! If you need someone to show you around, I'd be happy to accompany you."
"That would be great!" Maya replied. "I was feeling kind of lonely, but now I'm optimistic that this move will be good. I already made a friend on my first day!"
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