Context Clues Practice

What are context clues again?

Sometimes when reading, you will run across an unfamiliar word.

When this happens, you can use context clues to figure out the meaning of that word.

Context clues are hints in a text that about what that word means.

Multiple Choice

When you are reading and come to an unknown word, what should you do first?

• Look for context clues in the sentence.

• Ask your teacher.

• Look it up in the dictionary.

• Skip it.

Strategies for Figuring out an Unknown Word

• eliminate options - Get rid of possible meanings of the word that make no sense and have nothing to do with the context around the unknown word.

• plug it in - Plug answer choices/words into the same place in the sentence as the unknown word. Do they make sense?

• key words - Look for key words to help point you to clues for what the words mean, like: for example, the opposite, defined as, meaning, or in other words.

• general context / breaking down the sentence - What can you figure out about the word based on the information around it and what's happening in the rest of the sentence?

Context Clue Example

The Rocky Mountain National Park is home to different types of terrain. For example, some places have wide, open meadows. Other areas are inhabited by evergreen trees and mountain lakes. There are also basin areas that are filled with glaciers.

I can figure out what terrain means by ...

• paying attention to the key words for example

• considering the 3 examples of a terrain

  • wide, open meadows

  • evergreen trees and mountain lakes

  • basins with glaciers

With these context clues, I can figure out the word terrain refers to the natural features of an area.

Let's practice using some context clues.

Multiple Choice

Wherever she goes, the esteemed Dr. Sanchez is applauded and cheered for because of her research that has saved thousands of lives.

Based on context clues, what does esteemed most likely mean?

• held over boiling water

• very old

• hated

• greatly admired

Multiple Choice

When the teacher spoke the directions verbatim, she said the exact same thing written on the worksheet she gave to each student.

Based on context clues, what does verbatim most likely mean?

• word-for-word

• in secret

• different

• loudly

Multiple Choice

The palatial houses such as mansions and castles can only be afforded by the wealthy.

Based on context clues, what does palatial most likely mean?

• small

• spacious and fancy

• a specific house

• ridiculously overpriced

Multiple Choice

Tristin couldn’t see the school building; it was shrouded by smoke and dust. Based on context clues, what does shrouded most likely mean?

• covered

• destroyed

• bounced

• invisible

Multiple Choice

At the ceremony, Taylor Swift received a Grammy, the highest accolade in the music business.

Based on context clues, what does accolade most likely mean?

• rejection

• shock

• disapproval

• award

Multiple Choice

The conspicuous man wore a purple wig and large sunglasses.

Based on context clues, what does conspicuous most likely mean?

• easily noticed

• beautiful

• sleeping

• average

Multiple Choice

To prepare the cafeteria for the big dance, the Beta Club adorned the walls with balloons and colorful streamers.

Based on context clues, what does adorned most likely mean?

• to make something ugly

• to make something beautiful

• painted

Multiple Choice

Instead of a grimace, Sally had a big smile across her face.  
Based on context clues, what does grimace most likely mean?

• grin

• hat

• frown

• mask

Multiple Choice

​The teacher changed the seating chart to separate the loquacious​ students

because they wouldn’t stop whispering to each other.

Based on context clues, what does loquacious most likely mean?

• humorous

• below average

• talkative

• questioning

Multiple Choice

Students who are tactile​ learners enjoy hands-on activities, such as experiments or simulations.

Based on context clues, what does tactile most likely mean?

• advanced and skilled

• relating to the sense of touch

• visual

• reluctant and uninterested

Multiple Choice

The neighbors complained about the cacophony​ that erupted during the

6-person band’s very first practice in the garage.

Based on context clues, what does cacophony most likely mean?

• unpleasant loud sounds

• celebration

• beautiful music

• group

Multiple Choice

​Our vivacious​ teacher was even more energetic after consuming multiple cups

of coffee.

Based on context clues, what does vivacious most likely mean?

• healthy

• lively

• calm

• optimistic

Multiple Choice

The inverse of up is down, and the inverse of fast is slow.

Based on context clues, what does inverse most likely mean?

• synonym

• same /similar thing

• reverse / opposite

• answer

Multiple Choice

Tonya was relaxing with a magazine when her father walked in, looking perturbed and sounding annoyed, too.

What clue in the sentence can help you help you determine that perturbed means "bothered"?

• can you help me

• her father walked in 

• sounding annoyed, too

• relaxing with a magazine

Multiple Choice

Grayson was in a jovial mood this morning, smiling and waving to everyone

as he walked to class.

What clue in the sentence can help you help you determine that jovial means "cheerful or friendly"?

• this morning

• to class

• as he walked

• smiling and waving

Multiple Choice

Mary had a difficult time trudging up the hill because her backpack was laden with heavy books.

What clue in the sentence can help you determine that laden means "weighed down"?

• hill

• backpack

• heavy

Multiple Choice

The soldier was awarded 4 medals for meritorious conduct on the battlefield.

What clue in the sentence can help you determine that meritorious means "deserving reward or praise"?

• awarded

• soldier

• battlefield

Multiple Choice

Mosquitoes transmit the disease malaria by biting and infecting humans with it too.

What clue in the sentence can help you determine that transmit means "spread or pass on"?

• mosquitoes

• humans with it

• biting and infecting

Multiple Choice

There are too many variables — like the ever-changing wind speed, wind direction, rain, and temperature — to make any good predictions about what would happen with the hurricane.

What clue in the sentence can help you determine that variables means "elements that are likely to vary or fluctuate"?

• ever-changing

• too many

• what would happen with the hurricane

Multiple Choice

Because of the high altitude of the mountain's peak, I could see breathtaking beauty for miles around: sunlight blinked on the spires of local churches, scattered in little valley towns lazily bathing in the sun, and a perfect mixture of green, orange, and burning red leaves swept down the mountain from where I stood at the top.

What clue in the sentence can help you determine that altitude means "the height of something in relation to the ground"?

• breathtaking beauty

• sunlight blinked on the spires of local churches

• swept down the mountain from where I stood at the top