Context Clues

Nina was embarrassed by her blunder and couldn’t believe she’d made such

a silly mistake. What does the word blunder mean?

• selection

• correction

• error

• fortune

Chris worked through his chores quickly and efficiently. For example, he did

all of his outside tasks—including taking out the trash, walking the dog, and

retrieving the mail—in one trip. What does the word efficiently mean?

• effectively

• lazily

• ineffectively

• fast

Unlike her last school, where many students seemed hostile, Tammy’s new

school seemed filled with friendly and agreeable people who were eager to

make friends. What does hostile mean?

• friendly

• positive

• evil

• unfriendly

Nancy began to think all of her work on her painting was futile. It seemed

pointless to continue putting effort into something she simply could not

succeed at doing. What does futile mean?

• meaningless

• meaningful

• fantastic

• serious

When she forgot her rain boots, Michelle found herself in quite a

predicament. If she walked home in the rain, she’d ruin her shoes. But, her

mother would be annoyed if she called for a ride. What does predicament mean?

• question

• solution

• dilemma

• option

Mr. Barnes is a jovial man who is always in a joyful, pleasant mood. What does jovial mean?

• happy

• depressed

• excited

• hopeful

After living in a cramped dorm room for several months, Tommy was

excited to be back in the ample space of his bedroom at home. What does ample mean?

• little

• extra

• over sized

• minimal

Maria sometimes loathed her brother. She knew she shouldn’t hate him,

but he frustrated her to no end. What does loathed mean?

• dislike

• loved

• cherished

• lethargic

Sandra was known for being an ingenious problem solver. When she ripped

the cover of her textbook, she made a color copy of her friend’s book and

pasted it onto her own. What does ingenious mean?

• genius

• uninspired

• unproductive

• creative

Ramona found it difficult to cope with disappointment. When she wasn’t

chosen as the captain of the volleyball team, she was so upset that she

began to cry and wanted to quit the team. What does cope mean?

• manage

• fail

• give up

• cape