📚 Detailed Explanation of Determining the Meaning of Domain-Specific Words with Pictures

Domain-specific words are words that belong to a particular subject or area of learning, such as science, history, or technology. In Year 6 English, it is important to learn how to determine the meaning of these special words because they help us understand what we are reading or learning about.

When you come across a domain-specific word that you do not know, pictures can be very helpful. Pictures give clues about what the word means by showing something related to the word. For example, if you read the word “photosynthesis” in a science text, a picture of a plant with arrows showing sunlight and water can help you understand that photosynthesis is something plants do using sunlight.

Here are some ways pictures help with domain-specific words:

  • 🖼️ Visual clues: Pictures show objects or actions related to the word, making it easier to guess the meaning.
  • 🔍 Context support: Seeing a picture next to a difficult word gives extra information, so you can connect the image to the meaning.
  • 🧠 Memory aid: Pictures help you remember the meaning of the word because your brain links the image and the word together.

This skill is part of the Year 6 English curriculum in the UK because understanding domain-specific words is important for reading comprehension and learning new topics. When you learn to use pictures to figure out these words, you become a better reader and thinker. Teachers often include activities where you match words with pictures or explain domain-specific words using images.

To practise this skill, try looking at diagrams, labelled drawings, or information texts with pictures. Think about how the images help explain new words. By doing this, you will find it easier to understand challenging vocabulary in all subjects.

📝 20 Examination-Style Questions with Answers on Determining Meaning of Domain-Specific Words with Pictures

Question 1

Look at the picture of a pharaoh’s crown. What does the word pharaoh mean?

  • A) A type of animal
  • B) An ancient Egyptian king
  • C) A plant

Answer: B – A pharaoh was a king in ancient Egypt.

Question 2

The picture shows a volcano erupting. What does eruption mean?

  • A) A small plant growing
  • B) When molten rock bursts out of a volcano
  • C) A light rain

Answer: B – An eruption is when molten rock, ash, and gas come out of a volcano.

Question 3

Look at the picture of a cotton plant. What is cotton?

  • A) A type of tree fruit
  • B) A soft fibre used to make clothes
  • C) A kind of metal

Answer: B – Cotton is a soft fibre used in making fabric.

Question 4

The picture shows a heart. What does circulation mean?

  • A) How the blood flows through the body
  • B) How food is digested
  • C) How trees grow leaves

Answer: A – Circulation means blood moving around the body.

Question 5

Look at the picture of a compass. What is a compass used for?

  • A) To cut paper
  • B) To find direction
  • C) To measure time

Answer: B – A compass helps you find which way is north, south, east, or west.

Question 6

The picture shows a fossil. What does fossil mean?

  • A) A type of cloud
  • B) The remains of a living thing from long ago
  • C) A kind of rock made by volcanoes

Answer: B – A fossil is the preserved remains of ancient plants or animals.

Question 7

Look at the picture of an ecosystem with plants and animals. What is an ecosystem?

  • A) A type of machine
  • B) A community of living things and their environment
  • C) A kind of food

Answer: B – An ecosystem includes all the living things and their surroundings.

Question 8

The picture shows a solar panel. What does solar relate to?

  • A) The moon
  • B) The Sun
  • C) The stars

Answer: B – Solar means related to the Sun.

Question 9

Look at the picture of a metre stick. What is a metre used to measure?

  • A) Weight
  • B) Length or distance
  • C) Temperature

Answer: B – A metre is a unit for measuring length.

Question 10

The picture shows bacteria under a microscope. What are bacteria?

  • A) Tiny living things you cannot see with your eyes
  • B) Small rocks
  • C) Tiny insects

Answer: A – Bacteria are microscopic organisms.

Question 11

Look at the picture of an orchestra with musicians. What is an orchestra?

  • A) A group of sports players
  • B) A large group of musicians playing different instruments
  • C) A type of dance

Answer: B – An orchestra is a big group of musicians playing together.

Question 12

The picture shows a triangle with three sides. What does triangle mean?

  • A) A shape with three sides and three corners
  • B) A type of circle
  • C) A straight line

Answer: A – A triangle is a shape with three sides.

Question 13

Look at the picture of a magnet attracting paper clips. What does magnet mean?

  • A) A tool that pulls certain metals towards it
  • B) A type of glue
  • C) A source of light

Answer: A – A magnet pulls metal objects to it.

Question 14

The picture shows a rainforest. What is a rainforest?

  • A) A dry desert
  • B) A forest with lots of rain and trees
  • C) A frozen ice area

Answer: B – A rainforest is a wet forest with many plants and animals.

Question 15

Look at the picture of a telescope. What is a telescope used for?

  • A) To see far-away objects in space
  • B) To cook food
  • C) To hear sounds better

Answer: A – A telescope helps us see distant stars and planets.

Question 16

The picture shows a diary. What is a diary?

  • A) A book where you write your thoughts and daily events
  • B) A storybook
  • C) A dictionary

Answer: A – A diary is a personal book for writing your daily experiences.

Question 17

Look at the picture of a carpenter working with wood. What does a carpenter do?

  • A) Fixes cars
  • B) Works with wood to make things
  • C) Cooks food

Answer: B – A carpenter builds or repairs things using wood.

Question 18

The picture shows a simple circuit with a bulb. What does circuit mean?

  • A) An electrical path that makes devices work
  • B) A type of boat
  • C) A circle of flowers

Answer: A – A circuit is a path for electricity.

Question 19

Look at the picture of a glacier. What is a glacier?

  • A) A large ice mass that moves slowly
  • B) A burning mountain
  • C) A type of storm

Answer: A – A glacier is a big slow-moving block of ice.

Question 20

The picture shows a habitat with animals living in it. What does habitat mean?

  • A) A place where animals and plants live
  • B) A tool for measuring temperature
  • C) A type of food

Answer: A – A habitat is the home of an animal or plant.