Look It Up: Parts of a Violin – Try it

Read the article and the word lists

Meet the Violin

1The violin is the smallest string instrument in the orchestra. Most violins are made of wood, and a violin has four strings.

2A violin player holds the violin under the chin and rests it on the left shoulder. To make music, the player pulls a bow across the strings. The strings shake back and forth very fast, and that makes the sound. Players can also pluck the strings with their fingers.

3Near the top of the violin are four pegs, one for each string. Before playing, a violinist may turn the pegs to tune the strings.

4The strings stretch over a small bridge on the body of the violin. At the very top end is the scroll. Next time you see a violin, look for all of these parts!

Glossary

bow (noun) A long, thin stick with hair stretched along it. It is pulled across the strings to play a violin.

bridge (noun) A small, thin piece of wood that holds the strings up above the body of a violin.

peg (noun) A small knob that is turned to make a string tighter or looser.

scroll (noun) The curled part at the very top of a violin.

tune (verb) To change the strings so that an instrument plays the right notes.

Online Dictionary

Search box: scroll

scroll (noun)
1. A long roll of paper with writing on it.
2. A curled shape, like the top end of a violin.
(verb)
3. To move the words or pictures on a screen up or down.

Search box: string

string (noun)
1. A thin cord used to tie things.
2. A thin wire or cord on an instrument that makes a sound when it shakes.
(verb)
3. To put beads or other things on a cord.

Use the glossary

A glossary is a short list of hard words at the back of a book. It tells what each word means in that book. The words are in ABC order.

Max reads this article in a book. He does not know the word peg. Where in the book can he find what peg means?

A. the table of contentsB. the glossaryC. the front coverD. the page numbers

Use the glossary. Write the word that names each part of a violin.

the curled part at the very top:
a small knob that makes a string tighter or looser:
the thin piece of wood that holds the strings up:

Paragraph 3 says a violinist may turn the pegs to tune the strings. Use the glossary. What does tune mean?

A. to wipe the strings with a clothB. to pull the bow across fastC. to make it play the right notesD. to put it away in its case

The word string is not in this glossary. If it were added, where would it go in ABC order?

A. between bow and bridgeB. between bridge and pegC. between peg and scrollD. between scroll and tune

Use an online dictionary

An online dictionary is on a computer or tablet. You type a word in the search box. It shows all the meanings of the word, not just one.

Ava is reading on a tablet. She wants to know what scroll means. What should she do in an online dictionary?

A. type scroll in the search boxB. turn to the very last pageC. look at the picture on the coverD. read the whole article out loud

The online dictionary shows three meanings of scroll. Match each sentence to the meaning of scroll that fits.

Read this sentence: Grace's teacher put a new string on her violin. Use the online dictionary. Which meaning of string fits?

A. a thin cord for tying thingsB. to put beads on a cordC. a wire on an instrumentD. a small knob you turn

Use the online dictionary. Write the number of the meaning of string that fits each sentence.

Kai will string red beads to make a bracelet. Meaning number:
Tie the box shut with a piece of string. Meaning number:

The glossary gives one meaning for scroll. The online dictionary gives three. Why does the glossary give only one?

A. The online dictionary got two meanings wrong.B. A glossary tells the meaning used in its book.C. A glossary only lists words with one meaning.D. Scroll is the hardest word in the article.

10.

Pick one word from the glossary. Write what it means. Then write your own sentence about a violin that uses the word.