Question

compound words
a compound word is made up of two smaller words. to help figure
out the meaning of a compound word, think about the meaning of
each smaller word. then put the two meanings together.
newspaper = news + paper
a newspaper is paper with news printed on it.
airplane = air + plane
an airplane is a plane that flies in the air.
practice
a. divide each compound word into two smaller words. write
each word on the line. then circle the correct meaning.

1. lifeguard: ____ + ____

a person who guards swimmers’ lives
a person who guards his or her own life

1. toothbrush = ____ + ____

a brush made out of teeth
a brush used to clean teeth

1. houseboat = ____ + ____

a boat that people live on
a boat you can use inside a house

1. notebook = ____ + ____

a book of paper used to write down notes
a book used to hold notes people give you

1. sidewalk = ____ + ____

a place to walk on the side of the street
walking in a sideways direction

Explanation:

For each compound word, we split it into two smaller words based on the definition of compound words (two smaller words combined) and then select the correct meaning by combining the meanings of the two smaller words.

1. lifeguard: Split into "life" and "guard". A lifeguard guards the lives of swimmers, so the first meaning is correct.
2. toothbrush: Split into "tooth" and "brush". A toothbrush is used to clean teeth, so the second meaning is correct.
3. houseboat: Split into "house" and "boat". A houseboat is a boat that people live on (like a house on a boat), so the first meaning is correct.
4. notebook: Split into "note" and "book". A notebook is a book to write notes in, so the first meaning is correct.
5. sidewalk: Split into "side" and "walk". A sidewalk is a place to walk on the side of the street, so the first meaning is correct.

Answer:

1. lifeguard: life + guard; Correct meaning: a person who guards swimmers’ lives
2. toothbrush = tooth + brush; Correct meaning: a brush used to clean teeth
3. houseboat = house + boat; Correct meaning: a boat that people live on
4. notebook = note + book; Correct meaning: a book of paper used to write down notes
5. sidewalk = side + walk; Correct meaning: a place to walk on the side of the street