Context Clues Practice #1

The Joker-an enemy of Batman-was hated by everyone for his nefarious deeds.
What does nefarious mean?

• type of leafy salad
• evil; wicked
• confused
• heartwarming

Tags

CCSS.L.3.2F

The salad contained leaves of spinach, lettuce, and escarole.
What does escarole mean?

• type of leafy vegetable
• chocolate
• pork belly
• type of organic, wheat bread

Tags

CCSS.L.5.4B

CCSS.L.6.1E

The winners of the game wore cheerful grins on their faces, but the losing team looked morose.
What does morose mean?

• nervous
• sorrowful
• ecstatic
• excited

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.3.6

CCSS.L.4.6

CCSS.RL.1.4

I like to collaborate with my friends Brandon and Marcus on school projects.  Brandon is an excellent writer, Marcus is really creative, and I'm a great artist. 
What does collaborate mean?

• to be evil; wicked
• to laugh together
• to work together; cooperate
• to fight and argue

Tags

CCSS.L.2.4E

CCSS.L.3.4D

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

That mouse in the cartoon I watch runs away from everything.  It never tries to stand up for itself.  Mice must have very pusillanimous personalities.
What does pusillanimous mean?

• cheerful
• cowardly
• aggressive
• ugly

Tags

CCSS.L.3.2F

My Uncle Steve is always yelling at people and never has anything positive to say.  I wonder why he's so cantankerous.
What does cantankerous mean?

• timid; lacking courage
• outgoing and pleasant to be around
• disagreeable and hard to deal with
• enthusiastic

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.3.6

CCSS.L.4.6

CCSS.RL.1.4

We went to a buffet for lunch and my brother gorged himself.  He ate three plates of fried fish, mashed potatoes, & chocolate cake.
What does gorge mean?

• to not have an appetite 
• to refuse food
• to climb a mountain
• to eat greedily

Tags

CCSS.L.5.5C

In the middle of the performance, Chuck tripped, knocked over a microphone, & forgot his lines. I know he didn't mean to bungle the play.
What does bungle mean?

• to complete a task successfully
• to make a mistake due to clumsiness
• to ruin something on purpose
• to lose a job

Tags

CCSS.L.2.4E

CCSS.L.3.4D

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

The climate was so tropical in Florida that my mom fainted half way through our vacation.
What does tropical mean?

• boring
• chilly
• hot and humid
• cold and dry

Tags

CCSS.RI.3.10

CCSS.RI.4.10

CCSS.RI.5.10

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

As we got closer, we noticed that a dog was wearing a tiny wetsuit and was surfing with his owner.  It was the most absurd thing I've ever seen?
What does absurd mean?

• serious
• very silly
• heartbreaking
• disgusting

Tags

CCSS.L.1.5D

CCSS.L.2.5B

CCSS.L.3.5C

CCSS.L.K.5D