4000 Essential English Words 3 » Unit 25: How Did Greenland Get Its Name?

Word List
  • circulate [ˈsəːrkjəleit] v.
    To circulate something is to spread it quickly.
    → The fan helped to circulate cool air through the room.
  • consequent [ˈkɒnsɪkwənt] adj.
    Consequent means happening because of a different situation.
    → Her consequent rash came after she touched the poison ivy.
  • derive [dɪˈraɪv] v.
    To derive something from another source means to get it from that thing.
    → Red’s nickname was derived from the color of her hair.
  • drown [draun] v.
    To drown is to die from not being able to breathe underwater.
    → He would have drowned if the sailors would not have rescued him.
  • dynasty [ˈdainəstɪ] n.
    A dynasty is a series of rulers who are all from the same family.
    → The ancient Egyptians had a dynasty that lasted for many years.
  • fraction [ˈfrækʃən] n.
    A fraction is a small part of something.
    → Only a fraction of the cake was gone.
  • frost [frɔ:st] n.
    Frost is a white layer of ice that forms during very cold weather.
    → In the morning, the trees were all covered with frost.
  • illusion [ɪˈluːʒən] n.
    An illusion is something that looks real, but doesn’t actually exist.
    → Some pictures create an illusion for the eyes.
  • invade [ɪnˈveɪd] v.
    To invade is to take over a place by force.
    → The enemy forces tried to invade our country through the air.
  • lieutenant [luːˈtenənt] n.
    A lieutenant is a rank in the military or police, or a person with that rank.
    → The lieutenant was a good leader, and his soldiers respected him.
  • marine [məˈriːn] adj.
    The word marine describes something related to the sea.
    → A healthy ocean is full of marine animals.
  • merit [ˈmerɪt] n.
    The merit of something or someone is their good qualities.
    → The actor received an award for his merits in the movie.
  • navy [ˈneɪvɪ] n.
    A navy is the part of a country’s military that fights at sea.
    → My country is known for our strong navy.
  • polar [ˈpoulər] adj.
    Polar relates to the cold places on Earth’s north and south ends.
    → Only a few people live in the Earth’s northern polar region.
  • ray [reɪ] n.
    A ray is a line of light that comes from a bright object.
    → The sun’s warm rays covered the beach.
  • resign [rɪˈzaɪn] v.
    To resign means to quit a job.
    → After I officially resigned from work, I said goodbye to my boss.
  • suicide [ˈsuːəsaid] n.
    Suicide is the act of killing oneself.
    → Some people feel so sad that they think suicide is the only answer.
  • tremble [ˈtrembəl] v.
    To tremble is to shake as a result of cold weather.
    → Harry was not used to the cold, so he trembled most of the day.
  • underlying [ˈʌndərlaɪɪŋ] adj.
    When something is underlying, it is a hidden cause of something else.
    → Her underlying fear of flying reduced her traveling options.
  • via [vi:ə] prep.
    To travel via something means to travel through or using something.
    → We arrived in the city from the airport via the train.
Exercise 1

Part A: Choose the right word for the given definition.

  1. relates to the cold places on Earth
    • a. polar
    • b. marine
    • c. frost
    • d. underlying
  2. a small part of something
    • a. fraction
    • b. merit
    • c. ray
    • d. dynasty
  3. something that appears real but is not
    • a. resign
    • b. circulate
    • c. derive
    • d. illusion
  4. to get from another source
    • a. frost
    • b. illusion
    • c. derive
    • d. invade
  5. to die in the water from lack of air
    • a. via
    • b. drown
    • c. suicide
    • d. underlying

Part B: Choose the right definition for the given word.

  1. invade
    • a. to come from
    • b. to kill oneself
    • c. to take over another country
    • d. to happen because of something else
  2. dynasty
    • a. thin layer of ice
    • b. a group of rulers from the same family
    • c. a person that knows about the sea
    • d. very cold
  3. merit
    • a. a low ranking officer
    • b. a good quality
    • c. a part of a whole
    • d. a hidden problem
  4. resign
    • a. to quit
    • b. to die underwater
    • c. to shake
    • d. to move from place to place
  5. ray
    • a. a way to get through
    • b. something that seems to be something else
    • c. a group of soldiers at sea
    • d. a line of light
Exercise 2

Circle two words in each group that are related.

    • a. tremble
    • b. circulate
    • c. ray
    • d. frost
    • a. dynasty
    • b. marine
    • c. navy
    • d. merit
    • a. lieutenant
    • b. derive
    • c. polar
    • d. invade
    • a. consequent
    • b. underlying
    • c. fraction
    • d. resign
    • a. illusion
    • b. suicide
    • c. via
    • d. drown
Exercise 3

Write a word that is similar in meaning to the underlined part.

  1. We only require that you donate a small portion of your weekly earnings to our cause.
    _____________
  2. The massive empire that involved one family ruled for over 2,000 years.
    _____________
  3. The thin lines of sunlight warmed the small room and made it comfortable.
    _____________
  4. The unreal situation fooled many people into thinking that it was real.
    _____________
  5. Josie arrived by use of the subway.
    _____________
  6. The scent of her perfume passed quickly from person to person through the room.
    _____________
  7. After hearing about the new policy, Mitch was so upset that he quit his position.
    _____________
  8. The thin layer of ice covered the ground and the windows.
    _____________
  9. The kitten shook uncontrollably from being cold and wet.
    _____________
  10. I was a low ranking officer after graduating from the military academy.
    _____________
Answer Key
Exercise 1
Part A
  1. a
  2. a
  3. d
  4. c
  5. b
Part B
  1. c
  2. b
  3. b
  4. a
  5. d
Exercise 2
  1. a, d
  2. b, c
  3. a, d
  4. a, b
  5. b, d
Exercise 3
  1. fraction
  2. dynasty
  3. ray
  4. illusion
  5. via
  6. circulated
  7. resigned
  8. frost
  9. trembled
  10. lieutenant
Answer Key
How Did Greenland Get Its Name?

The nation of Greenland isn’t very green. The sun’s rays don’t shine there for three whole months. As a result, it’s covered with snow, ice and frost. Then how was the name derived? It started with a Viking named Erik the Red. Erik had many merits. However, there was an underlying problem . . . he got angry easily. People were scared of him. However, he was married to the niece of a very powerful man. So everybody tried to be nice to him.

One day, Erik fought with his neighbor and killed him. His consequent punishment was to leave Iceland.

Many stories circulated about a land west of Iceland. But only a fraction of the people in Iceland believed them. Still, Erik wanted to find it.

Erik sailed toward the land via the Atlantic Ocean. His marine knowledge was good, but the trip was hard. Some of his men drowned. Erik’s lieutenant wanted to resign from his position. Others thought about committing suicide.

Suddenly, Erik thought he saw something. “ I don’t believe it,” said Erik. “ It must be an illusion.” But it was no trick—it was the new land!

Erik trembled in the cold polar air. He saw that there was ice everywhere. He realized that the ice could keep enemies out. Not even the best navy could invade the new land. He could start a new dynasty in his name. But how could he convince people to live here?

“ I’ll call it ‘Greenland,’” he said. Erik’s plan worked Within two years, over a thousand people moved to Greenland. In the end, Greenland got its name all because of a trick.

Reading Comprehension

Part A: Mark each statement T for true or F for false. Rewrite the false statements to make them true.

  1. _____ The sun’s rays don’t ever shine on Greenland.
    • _____________________________________________________
  2. _____ Erik the Red wanted to start a dynasty in his name in Iceland.
    • _____________________________________________________
  3. _____ Erik the Red’s consequent punishment for killing his neighbor was to leave Iceland for Denmark.
    • _____________________________________________________
  4. _____ Erik’s lieutenant thought about resigning.
    • _____________________________________________________
  5. _____ The ice around Greenland protected it from being invaded by navies.
    • _____________________________________________________
  6. _____ Greenland’s name was derived from Erik’s favorite color.
    • _____________________________________________________

Part B: Answer the questions.

  1. According to the story, what was Erik’s underlying problem?
    • a. He traveled via ship.
    • b. He had many merits.
    • c. He got angry easily.
    • d. He circulated stories that weren’t true.
  2. All of the following happened to people on Erik’s ship EXCEPT ______.
    • a. they wanted to resign
    • b. they found gold
    • c. they drowned
    • d. they thought about suicide
  3. What did Erik think he was looking at when he first saw Greenland?
    • a. A fraction
    • b. An illusion
    • c. Frost
    • d. A marine bird
  4. Why did Erik want to bring more people to Greenland?
    • a. To help them grow food
    • b. So he could set up a dynasty
    • c. To explore more land
    • d. To protect them from the Vikings
Answer Key
Answer Key
Reading Comprehension
Part A
  1. F / The sun’s rays don’t shine on Greenland for three months.
  2. F / He wanted to start a dynasty in his name in Greenland.
  3. F / Erik the Red’s consequent punishment for killing his neighbor was to leave Iceland.
  4. T
  5. T
  6. F / Erik gave it the name Greenland because he wanted many people to settle there.
Part B
  1. c
  2. b
  3. b
  4. b
Favorite Books
4000 Essential English Words 1

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 1: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

Read more
4000 Essential English Words 2

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 2: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

Read more
4000 Essential English Words 4

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 4: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

Read more
4000 Essential English Words 5

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 5: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

Read more
4000 Essential English Words 6

The activities in "4000 Essential English Words" are specially designed to make use of important learning conditions. Firstly, the words are introduced using sentence definitions and an example sentence. 4000 Essential English Words 6: 600 words (Unit 1 - Unit 30).

Read more