Multiple Meaning Words

Multiple Meaning Words & Context Clues

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It is important to study before quizzes or tests. One way to study is to practice the same thing over and over. For example, if you are trying to remember your multiplication facts, you will need to practice saying or writing them again and again. When you repeat the same information several times, your brain is able to retain it. When you study, you make sure you will be able to recall the information you need to do well on the quiz or test. 

retain verb. 1. to keep in the same place 2. to be able to remember 3. to keep or have in possession.

Salt is a mineral that is important to humans for various reasons. All animals, including humans, must consume salt in order to survive. Salt helps balance the amount of water in the body. Salt also plays a key role in food preservation. Foods can go through a process called salting, this process prevents foods from going bad. When cooking, people add salt to their foods in order to enhance the flavor of the food. Adding salt can make bland foods taste flavorful. 

bland adjective 1. uninteresting, boring 2. having little or no taste 3. not having a strong effect (like the medicine was bland).

[Destiny and Alicia in a clothing store at the mall. They are each shuffling through racks of clothing]

Destiny: I want to find something special to wear on picture day.

Alicia: Me too, so far everything I’ve seen is bland. Do you want to look in another store?

Destiny: Yeah, let’s go.

[The two girls walk toward the exit, but right before they reach it, Destiny grabs a colorful top that is hanging nearby]

Destiny: Alicia look! What do you think about this?

Alicia: It’s perfect! 

bland adjective 1. uninteresting, boring 2. having little or no taste 3. not having a strong effect (like the medicine was bland).

No matter where you go, the Internet is following you. Almost every portable device is being made with an Internet connection. Most new TVs and many other appliances come with Internet connections as well. The Internet is truly ubiquitous.

If something is ubiquitous, __________

a. it is fuzzy and will bite you

b. it is everywhere

c. it costs too much money

d. it causes rashes

Speaking rudely to the judges was rash behavior. You really hurt your chances of winning! In the above context, what does “rash” mean?

a. an itchy skin condition

b. funny

c. trying to hide or disguise a piece of cheese

d. with little thought or consideration

Christmas is a time when dad reverts back to his childhood. I really think he looks forward to Santa's visit more than any other member of the family. Mom says that he'll always be a child during this season.

What does reverts mean in the above passage?

a. stands up straight

b. peeks at presents

c. gets excited

d. goes back to being what he was

Multiple Choice

Jerry Spinelli is the author of over 25 children’s books. Some of his most popular works include Maniac Magee, Stargirl, and Wringer. Most of Spinelli’s characters are around middle-school age. They are often people who stand apart from their peers. For example, in Maniac Magee the main character, Jeffrey, is one of the only characters who rejects the segregation of the town he lives in and makes friends with people of all races. Readers get lost in Spinelli’s vivid writing, which enables them to imagine what it is like to be in the characters’ shoes. Read the following dictionary entry for the word vivid:

vivid adjective. 1. bright, easy to see 2. full of life or freshness 3. creates clear images.

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

Multiple Choice

Alex sat in the bleachers and looked out over the football field. The stands were full of fans. The smell of nachos and hot dogs filled the air. Alex checked his watch. It was almost seven, the game would begin any minute. A man’s voice boomed over the loud speaker. The voice led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance and everyone stood while a woman sang ‘The Star Spangled Banner.” Finally, the announcer introduced the team. The players ran onto the field while the crowd jumped up and let out a hearty cheer.

hearty adjective 1. strong 2. having a large appetite 3. filling or nourishing 4. enthusiastic, full of energy

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

Multiple Choice

In the early 1600s, a dangerous trip across the Atlantic Ocean was a daunting idea. The Europeans, who would someday be known as the Pilgrims, must have been a very determined and brave group of settlers.

A daunting task is one that would _______ someone.

• tickle

• amuse

• lose or misplace

• frighten or intimidate

Multiple Choice

Fortunately, the explosion diverted the asteroid from a course that would have sent it hurdling into our planet.

To divert is to _______.

• change the direction of

• look for really high waves

• jump into a dry river

• look through a telescope

Multiple Choice

Amy was feeling low. Every business she tried lost money or made only pennies a day. Her newest idea was selling chocolate covered baby shoes. She was convinced that it would be a lucrative business. Her friends tried to warn her that it was not a certain road to riches.

What does lucrative mean?

• tasting great with vanilla ice cream

• helping young feet to grow correctly

• showing no careful thought

• bringing in a lot of money, or profit

Multiple Choice

The edge of the gorge

river below rushing by

my heart quickly beats

gorge noun 1. a small area between cliffs, often filled with a small stream 2. the throat 3. a meal where people eat a lot of food verb 4. to eat too much food.

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

Multiple Choice

The owner of the restaurant wouldn’t allow Samantha to walk through the door. “I’m sorry,” she said, “but you started a food fight the last time you were here. You may not have ingress to my restaurant!”

What does “ingress” mean in this selection?

• a kind of bird that lives by the sea

• any food that can be thrown

• a good price for a meal

• the right to enter

Multiple Choice

Don’t feel stupid. Yes, you thought this worthless replica was a valuable work of art. But it even fooled a lot of experts. It certainly looked like the real thing!

A replica is __________.

• a dishonest act

• something ugly

• anything that has no value

• a copy

Multiple Choice

[Miyah walks into the classroom and sits down at her desk. She notices Seth frantically rifling through his backpack and looking worried]

Miyah: Seth, are you ok?

Seth: Shhh! I can’t talk now! [Seth stops looking through his backpack and lays his head down on his desk] Oh no, I think I lost it.

Miyah: What is it? Maybe I can help you.

Seth: I can’t find the permission slip Mrs. Hernandez passed out last week. It’s required that we bring it back if we want to go to the State Park today.

Miyah: Oh. Sorry Seth. [She notices a paper under her desk]. Wait, look Seth!

Seth: [grabs paper from Miyah] My permission slip! It must have fallen out when I wasn’t looking!

Look at the following dictionary entry for the word require:

require verb 1. to need something 2. to demand something

adjective 3. something that must be done according to the law or according to the rules.

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3