Context Clues Learning Check

Context Clues Learning Check

Read each passage and answer the question that follows. Follow along as I read each passage.

What are context clues?

Context clues are a skill that readers use to figure out the meaning of unknown words in a sentence. These are found within the same sentence as the unknown words, or they can be found in sentences that come before or after them.

Multiple Choice

There is little to no life on the continent of Antarctica. The harsh environment makes it very difficult for living creatures to survive. It is the driest continent. There is little growth of any plants, so there is nothing for animals to eat. The cold and wind make it nearly impossible to survive.

What does the word harsh mean as it is used in the passage?

• a. frigid or very cold

• b. interesting

• c. unpleasant or harmful

• d. enjoyable and amusing

Multiple Choice

As the koalas travel from tree to tree in search of food, the baby will cling to its mother’s back. The baby is unable to travel on its own when it is so little, so it holds on tightly to its mother’s back to get to the new location. By holding on tightly, the baby koala is safe during travel.

What does the word cling mean as it is used in the passage?

• a. to hold on tightly

• b. to grab and let go

• c. a type of food bears eat

• d. to swing from tree to tree

Multiple Choice

As I tried to write my speech to become class president, I couldn’t find the right words. I would write one sentence down, reread it, and crumple up the paper. Then I would open up the wrinkled and bent paper to reread the sentence again. There was a big collection of crushed papers around my trash can. Writing a speech was harder than I thought!

What does the word crumple mean as it is used in the passage?

• a. straight and thin

• b. wrinkled and bent

• c. a paper with a speech on it

• d. covered with too much writing

Multiple Choice

When the leaves fall from the trees, they cover my yard. On the weekends, my brother and I rake and put the leaves into piles. We take breaks and pick the leaves up, throw them in the air, and watch them scatter on the lawn again. It gives us more work with the rake, but it’s fun to watch the leaves spread out as they drift to the ground.

What does the word scatter mean as it is used in the passage?

• a. connect and form

• b. move together

• c. grow taller

• d. spread out

Homophones

How do homophones help with context clues? There are many words that have the same sounds but different spellings. It is important to make the distinction in identifying appropriate terms in sentences and using context clues help in comprehending what we read.

Multiple Choice

Select the correct homophone to the sentence.

I ________ the dog barking all hours of the night.

• here

• hear

Multiple Choice

Select the correct homophone to the sentence.

We will meet back ______ after lunch in the park.

• here

• hear

Multiple Choice

Select the correct homophone to the sentence.

My teacher asked if the strategy made any ____ to us.

• sense

• cents

Multiple Choice

Select the correct homophone to the sentence.

The birthday present cost nine dollars and forty-two ____.

• sense

• cents

Multiple Choice

Select the correct homophone to the sentence.

To get to my house, take the first ____ into the neighborhood.

• write

• right

Multiple Choice

Select the correct homophone to the sentence.

Pen pals ____ each other letters once a month to keep in touch.

• write

• right

Multiple Choice

Select the correct homophone to the sentence.

• The cafeteria table fits ____ students on each side.

• ate

• eight

Multiple Choice

Select the correct homophone to the sentence.

On the sunny day, we ____ lunch outside in the field.

• ate

• eight