Using Context Clues

There is a legal battle raging and the judges are concerned that time is running out. Lawyers are being asked to expedite the matter by getting their paperwork in early. What does “expedite” mean?

• quicken
• agree on
• sue
• discuss

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CCSS.RI.K.4

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The election could actually end up being decided in the U.S. Congress. Al Gore’s vice presidential running mate, Joe Lieberman, and perhaps Mr. Gore himself, would be able to vote on the matter. Some would argue that they should recuse themselves, but they would probably exercise their right to vote.
What does “recuse” mean?

• step aside and not be involved
• admit that you are wrong
• leave the country
• insist on being heard

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CCSS.RI.K.4

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If you count all the votes in an area that heavily supports candidate A, and only some of the votes in an area that heavily supports candidate B, you’ll skew the results in favor of candidate A. What does “skew” mean?

• roast
• ignore
• change
• ask

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CCSS.RI.K.4

CCSS.RI.1.4

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We walked slowly down the trail with great trepidation. No one who had gone this way had ever been heard from again. Had they simply found a better place to settle on this dark planet? We doubted that. Which word is a synonym of “trepidation”?

• movement
• worry
• enjoyment
• laughter

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CCSS.RI.K.4

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Kathy was looking for a strong but light material to use for making her water jugs. Unfortunately, she chose noodelite. It proved to too porous to hold jelly. A porous material _____.

• is good for holding things that you pour
• protects you in pouring rain
• allows liquids to flow through it
• is necessary for making bowling balls

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CCSS.RI.K.4

CCSS.RI.1.4

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We have rather lofty expectations for you, son. You will attend college. You will become rich and famous. You will be elected president of the United States before you turn forty.
Which word is a synonym of “lofty”?

• high
• shaky
• small
• lowly

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CCSS.RI.K.4

CCSS.RI.1.4

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No one suspected that Jerry was a spy. On the surface he behaved like any normal citizen. When his covert activity was discovered and announced to the world, we were all shocked. What does covert mean?

• friendly
• loud
• hidden
• helpful

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CCSS.RI.K.4

CCSS.RI.1.4

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The workers stood in front of the factory and wondered what to do next. The doors were locked and the windows were boarded up. They doubted that they would even collect their final pay checks now that the company was  insolvent. What does insolvent mean?

• hiring new workers
• broke, or out of money
• changing a name
• making too much money

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CCSS.RI.K.4

CCSS.RI.1.4

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Kim was a very good substitute teacher. She liked working with third and fourth graders most of all. She especially liked discussing important current events issues with the kids. She had expected them to be indifferent to such grown-up topics as taxes and social security. She was pleasantly surprised to discover that they were really interested in those issues and wanted to learn more about them. What does indifferent mean in this question?

• similar
• not very unusual
• not caring
• gross

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Mr. Burke stood before his employees. They had never seen him in such a serious mood. “I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that your future with this company depends on how hard you work,” he stated firmly. What does remiss mean?

• angry
• honest and trustworthy
• important
• not helpful

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CCSS.RI.K.4

CCSS.RI.1.4

CCSS.RI.2.4

CCSS.RL.3.4

CCSS.RI.3.4