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 award for an outstanding achievement

• an object designed to bring good luck

• 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 dies. 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

• to destroy completely

• to keep in custody or temporary confinement

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 as possible. What is the meaning of rupture?

• to live in

• to destroy completely

• to go or visit often

• to break open or burst

The airport police are authorized to deeetain 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 mean in this sentence?

• to destroy completely

• to give or pay out funds

• to stray from the main subject

• to break open, to burst