Chalk
/tʃɔːk/
nounverbA2
Definition
Chalk is a soft rock that people use to write or draw on surfaces like blackboards or sidewalks. It usually comes in white or bright colors. When used as a verb, "to chalk" means to write or draw with this material.
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⚡ See It in Action
A soft white or colored material for writing or drawing
- •The teacher used white chalk to write the lesson on the blackboard.
- •Children drew pictures on the sidewalk with colorful chalk.
- •The chalk broke in half because it is soft and fragile.
To write or draw using chalk
- •She chalked the answers on the board during the class.
- •They chalked the lines for the basketball court.
- •He chalked a smiley face on the wall as a joke.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "chalk" like "pen" but for writing on walls or boards that can be cleaned easily.
- ✓Picture a teacher writing math problems on a blackboard with white sticks of chalk.
- ✓It feels like the dusty, soft stick you hold to draw on the ground when playing games.
- ✓Sounds like "chalk" → imagine the sound of chalk rubbing softly on a board: "ch-alk."
- ✓Remember playground games where children draw hopscotch squares on the ground with chalk.
- ✓NOT like "pen" or "pencil" (write on paper), chalk is for writing on rough surfaces you can erase easily.
- ✓NOT like "paint" (liquid and permanent), chalk is dry and temporary.
- ✓When you "chalk up" a score, it means to add points, like writing numbers on a board.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Write: to put words or symbols on a surface (Use when you want a general word for making letters or marks)
- •Draw: to make a picture or shape (Use when focusing on pictures rather than writing)
- •Mark: to make a visible sign or line (Use when the writing is simple or rough, not detailed)
- •Score: to record points in a game (Use when "chalk" is used in sports to add points)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: No prefix or suffix; simple root word "chalk"
- •Etymology: From Old English "cealc," from Latin "calx," meaning limestone or chalky stone
- •Historical development: Originally meant the soft white rock; later also the writing tool made from it
- •Modern usage: Commonly used for writing on blackboards, drawing on sidewalks, and marking in sports or climbing
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How does using chalk change the way you write or draw compared to using a pen or pencil?
•Can you think of situations where chalk is better than other writing tools? Why?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.Teachers often use chalk to ___ lessons clearly on the blackboard.
2.When children play outside, they like to chalk ___ pictures on the sidewalk.
3.Chalk is different from a pen because it can be easily ___ from the surface.
4.Athletes sometimes chalk their hands to ___ better grip during sports.
5.The chalk broke because it is a ___ and soft material.
6.You ___ up points on the board by writing numbers with chalk.
7.If you want to erase your drawing, you should use chalk because it is not ___ like pen ink.