Context Clues

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​Sometimes when we read, we come across a new word that we don’t know. One way to figure out what it means is to look for clues in the words, phrases, or pictures around it. We call these context clues.

Context Clues

Fill in the Blank

I used a _____ to cut my sandwich in half.

Multiple Choice

Which word in the sentence below is an important context clue in telling what the missing word does?

• cut

• I

• used

• my

The huge fire blazed until the whole room was warm and cozy.

​What words are context clues for the underlined word?
What do the clues tell me?

Multiple Choice

What do you think the word blazed means?

• turned cold

• burned very fiercely

• turned into water

Check your definition by inserting it into the sentence in place of the unfamiliar word.

​The huge fire burned very fiercely until the whole room was warm and cozy.

Does this make sense?

Multiple Choice

Unlike my parents, who love classical music, I detest it.

What do you think the work detest means in this sentence? Why?

• love

• hate

• perform

Multiple Choice

The abandoned house was infested with vermin including rats, fleas, and cockroaches.

Choose the correct definition of the underlined word.

• pests

• animals

• insects

Multiple Choice

Mary looked at the ugly sweater, "Wow," she said "That is just hideous."

Choose the correct definition of the underlined word.

• expensive

• cheap

• unattractive