CONTEXT CLUES

As the koalas travel from tree to tree in search of food, the baby will cling to its mother’s back. The baby is unable to travel on its own when it is so little, so it holds on tightly to its mother’s back to get to the new location. By holding on tightly, the baby koala is safe during travel.

What does the word cling mean as it is used in the passage?

• to hold on tightly

• to grab and let go

• a type of foods bears eat

• to swing from tree to tree

Answer explanation

  Koalas don't need to drink much water because they get a lot of water from their dietary staple, eucalyptus leaves.

As I tried to write my speech to become class president, I couldn’t find the right words. I would write one sentence down, reread it, and crumple up the paper. Then I would open up the wrinkled and bent paper to reread the sentence again. There was a big collection of crushed papers around my trash can. Writing a speech was harder than I thought!

What does the word crumple mean as it is used in the passage?

• straight and thin

• wrinkled and bent

• a paper with a speech on it

• covered with too much writing

When the leaves fall from the trees, they cover my yard. On the weekends, my brother and I rake and put the leaves into piles. We take breaks and pick the leaves up, throw them in the air, and watch them scatter on the lawn again. It gives us more work with the rake, but it’s fun to watch the leaves spread out as they drift to the ground.

What does the word scatter mean as it is used in the passage?

• connect and form

• move together

• grow taller

• spread out

Answer explanation

Leaves and carrots are similar.

Orange leaves, that is! They both contain Carotene, which makes them orange.

Read each pair of sentences, paying attention to the context clues. Match each homophone to the correct sentence.

1. I _____ the dog barking all hours of the night.

2. We will meet back ______ after lunch in the park.

• 1. here

  2. hear

• 1. hear

  2. here

Read each pair of sentences, paying attention to the context clues. Match each homophone to the correct sentence.

1. My teacher asked if the strategy made any ______ to us.

2. The birthday present cost nine dollars and forty-two _______ .

• 1. sense

  2. cents

• 1. cents

  2. sense

Read each pair of sentences, paying attention to the context clues. Match each homophone to the correct sentence.

1. To get to my house, take the first ______ into the neighborhood.

2. Pen pals ______ each other letters once a month to keep in touch.

• 1. right

  2. write

• 1. write

  2. right