Context Clues

"At a special ceremony, the police chief gave the officer a commendation for bravery." - What does the word "commendation" in this sentence?

• an object designed to bring good luck

• an award for an outstanding achievement

• a lecture

• a police station

"Night is the time when many animals forage, or search, for food." - What does the word "forage" mean in this sentence?

• sleep

• come out at night

• search for food

• forgettable

"My sister loathes broccoli, but she loves spinach." - what does the word "loathes" mean in this sentence?

• extreme love of something

• eats eagerly

• prepares or cooks

• extreme dislike

"Although I was unable to understand all of the details of the presentation, I did get the gist of it." - What does the word "gist" mean in this sentence?

• humor

• main point

• notes

• jokes

"Because there was so little precipitation this year, the crops dried up and died." - what does the word "precipitation" mean in this sentence?

• fertilizer

• planting

• rain

• plants

"Children tend to gorge themselves on candy, so it is a good idea to limit them one or two small pieces each day." - What does the word "gorge" mean?

• to go or visit often

• to stuff with food, eat greedily

• to destroy completely

• to keep in custody

"Telemarketers frequently antagonize people with their calls. As a result, many people say rude things to them or hang up on them." - What does the word "antagonize" mean?

• to give or pay out funds

• to provoke anger or hostility

• to stray from the main subject

• to call on the phone

"The water pipe is weak and may rupture. To avoid a flood in the basement, the pipe should be replaced as soon a possible." - What is the meaning of "rupture"?

• to live in

• to destroy completely

• to go or visit often

• to break open, to burst

"The airport police are authorized to detain anyone they suspect of smuggling. If the police do not find any illegal substances or objects, they release the person." - What does the word "detain" mean?

• to keep in custody or temporary confinement

• to destroy completely

• to remove an attorney from the legal profession

• to go or visit often

The soldiers plan to use explosives to annihilate the enemy's headquarters." - What does the word "annihilate?"

• to destroy completely

• to give or pay out funds

• to stray from the main subject

• to break open