context clues

Read the sentence from “The Great Snake Invasion.”

Burmese pythons are especially suited to the habitat of the Everglades, which is much like their native environment in Asia.

Using the context clues in the sentence, which of these is the best meaning for the word suited?

• adapted

• harmed

• invaded

• supported

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

View in Item Bank

Read these lines from “The Brook.”

I steal by lawns and grassy plots,

I slide by hazel covers;

I move the sweet forget-me-nots

That grow for happy lovers.

 

What does the poet mean by using the phrase steal by?

• to take away earth 

• to run quickly near

• to remove grass from

• to go quietly alongside

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

The seed of the idea for the railroad had been planted in the minds of visionaries for decades. Even before the Civil War, there were thoughts of building a cross-country railroad. Merchant Asa Whitney imagined such a thing. Whitney, who had been inspired by rail trips overseas, believed his aspiration was achievable in the U.S. At that time, it took close to six months to travel cross-country. The only options were a stagecoach or a covered wagon. But these were dangerous options. Travelers were faced with attacks, bandits, and extreme weather conditions. They were sometimes even victims of stampeding cattle. It was not a short or easy journey.

What does the statement “The seed of the idea for the railroad had been planted” help readers understand?

• It helps readers understand how the idea for the railroad was passed from tree to tree.

• It gives readers an easy way to see how many trees were needed to build the railroad.

• It helps readers understand how the railroad helped the environment.

• It gives readers a natural example about where the idea for the railroad came from.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Think of the justices as an island in the middle of a choppy ocean. Although the political opinion of the people may sway one way or another, as do the waves of the ocean, the Supreme Court is not supposed to be affected by this. It stays solid and makes unbiased decisions about the intentions of the Constitution of the U.S. It strives to decide in a fair manner if laws made by cities, states, and the federal government follow the Constitution or not.

How does the phrase “a rock or island in the middle of a choppy ocean” help readers understand the text?

• It provides a physical description of the Supreme Court.

• It provides a physical description of the justices.

• It provides a physical comparison for readers to relate to.

• It provides another example from the court system for readers to relate to.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.5B

CCSS.L.8.5B

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

The miraculous first flight lasted 12 seconds and flew over 120 feet, soaring like a large bird in the sky. They flew the machine several times, each flight longer than the one before. Wilbur flew the final flight of the day, which carried him 852 feet and lasted nearly a minute.

How does the phrase “soaring like a large bird in the sky” help readers understand the text?

• It helps readers visualize the plane flying in the sky.

• It helps readers understand the flapping nature of the plane’s wings.

• It helps readers visualize all the birds carrying the plane in the air.

• It helps readers understand who invented the airplane.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

Veterans Day is a meaningful public holiday in the United States. It is observed every year on November 11 to honor people who used to serve in the United States Armed Forces. Anybody who used to serve in the Armed Forces is called a military veteran. Veterans are heroes who put their lives on the line to defend their country. The country pauses once a year to honor veterans and their sacrifices.

How does the phrase “put their lives on the line” help readers understand Veterans Day?

• The phrase helps explain who Veterans Day was created for.

• The phrase helps describe the origins of Veterans Day.

• The phrase helps describe a veteran’s contribution to the United States.

• The phrase helps explain why Veterans Day is held on November 11.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.3.6

CCSS.L.K.5A

This leads to the first step in the presidential election process—campaigning for primary elections. Presidential hopefuls spend this time convincing the citizens who agree with their beliefs that they will be the best candidate. They hold public forums, make TV ads, and prove their worth in debates against the other candidates. This leads up to the moment when citizens from their political party vote for the person who will represent their party in the election. Only the winner will move forward and have a chance to become the president.

How does the phrase “primary elections” help readers understand the U.S. presidential election?

• It explains why the president is the most powerful person in the U.S.

• It helps explain the process of running for president to readers.

• It explains why running for president is so difficult.

• It explains why there are two major political parties in the U.S.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.8.1