Context Clues Paragraphs

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest of the ancient Egyptian pyramids. When completed around 2560 BCE, it stood 481 feet high, as tall as a modern 44-story building. The Great Pyramid was the world's tallest building for more than three thousand years. More than two million huge stone blocks were used to construct it. The builders of the pyramid positioned it meticulously so that it perfectly faces true north. Scientists aren't sure how the ancient Egyptians knew how to place the base. Experts also disagree about how those huge blocks were moved into place. They don't even fully understand the design of the inside of the pyramid. More work must be done to solve these mysteries.

What is the meaning of meticulously as used in the passage?

• in a great hurry

• carefully, with attention to detail

• happily, without any hesitation

• with many people pushing

The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest of the ancient Egyptian pyramids. When completed around 2560 BCE, it stood 481 feet high, as tall as a modern 44-story building. The Great Pyramid was the world's tallest building for more than three thousand years. More than two million huge stone blocks were used to construct it. The builders of the pyramid positioned it meticulously so that it perfectly faces true north. Scientists aren't sure how the ancient Egyptians knew how to place the base. Experts also disagree about how those huge blocks were moved into place. They don't even fully understand the design of the inside of the pyramid. More work must be done to solve these mysteries.

Which phrase from the text helped you determine the meaning of meticulously as used in the passage?

• More than two million huge stone blocks

• 481 feet high

• perfectly faces true north

• Experts also disagree

To define and trace the history of every single word in the English language—that was the ambitious goal of the Philological Society of London in 1857 when they set out to create what would eventually become the Oxford English Dictionary. In order to make the process of gathering information more efficient, the lead editor, James Murray, used crowdsourcing. He asked, through advertisements and word of mouth, that volunteers around the English-speaking world send in definitions and documented uses of words. Millions of submissions were received.

The first edition of the dictionary was published in 1928, more than fifty years after the project was initially announced. The ten-volume edition covered more than four hundred thousand words and phrases, making it the most comprehensive dictionary of its time. Because language constantly evolves, supplements have been added over the years to account for new words or changing meanings; in March 2014, for example, the words bestie and beat boxer were added.

What is the meaning of comprehensive as used in the passage?

• complete

• well known

• wildly used

• expensive

To define and trace the history of every single word in the English language—that was the ambitious goal of the Philological Society of London in 1857 when they set out to create what would eventually become the Oxford English Dictionary. In order to make the process of gathering information more efficient, the lead editor, James Murray, used crowdsourcing. He asked, through advertisements and word of mouth, that volunteers around the English-speaking world send in definitions and documented uses of words. Millions of submissions were received.

The first edition of the dictionary was published in 1928, more than fifty years after the project was initially announced. The ten-volume edition covered more than four hundred thousand words and phrases, making it the most comprehensive dictionary of its time. Because language constantly evolves, supplements have been added over the years to account for new words or changing meanings; in March 2014, for example, the words bestie and beat boxer were added.

Which phrase did NOT help you determine the meaning of comprehensive as used in the passage?

• documented uses of words

• ten volume edition

• more than 400,000 words/phrases

• supplements have been added over the years

To define and trace the history of every single word in the English language—that was the ambitious goal of the Philological Society of London in 1857 when they set out to create what would eventually become the Oxford English Dictionary. In order to make the process of gathering information more efficient, the lead editor, James Murray, used crowdsourcing. He asked, through advertisements and word of mouth, that volunteers around the English-speaking world send in definitions and documented uses of words. Millions of submissions were received.

The first edition of the dictionary was published in 1928, more than fifty years after the project was initially announced. The ten-volume edition covered more than four hundred thousand words and phrases, making it the most comprehensive dictionary of its time. Because language constantly evolves, supplements have been added over the years to account for new words or changing meanings; in March 2014, for example, the words bestie and beat boxer were added.

What is the meaning of evolves as used in the passage?

• worsen

• improves

• expands

• cycles

To define and trace the history of every single word in the English language—that was the ambitious goal of the Philological Society of London in 1857 when they set out to create what would eventually become the Oxford English Dictionary. In order to make the process of gathering information more efficient, the lead editor, James Murray, used crowdsourcing. He asked, through advertisements and word of mouth, that volunteers around the English-speaking world send in definitions and documented uses of words. Millions of submissions were received.

The first edition of the dictionary was published in 1928, more than fifty years after the project was initially announced. The ten-volume edition covered more than four hundred thousand words and phrases, making it the most comprehensive dictionary of its time. Because language constantly evolves, supplements have been added over the years to account for new words or changing meanings; in March 2014, for example, the words bestie and beat boxer were added.

Which phrase helped you determine the meaning of evolves as used in the passage?

• Millions of submissions

• supplements have been added ... for new words or changing meanings

• the ambitious goal

• volunteers around the English-speaking world

To define and trace the history of every single word in the English language—that was the ambitious goal of the Philological Society of London in 1857 when they set out to create what would eventually become the Oxford English Dictionary. In order to make the process of gathering information more efficient, the lead editor, James Murray, used crowdsourcing. He asked, through advertisements and word of mouth, that volunteers around the English-speaking world send in definitions and documented uses of words. Millions of submissions were received.

The first edition of the dictionary was published in 1928, more than fifty years after the project was initially announced. The ten-volume edition covered more than four hundred thousand words and phrases, making it the most comprehensive dictionary of its time. Because language constantly evolves, supplements have been added over the years to account for new words or changing meanings; in March 2014, for example, the words bestie and beat boxer were added.

What is the meaning of crowdsourcing as used in the passage?

• full or complete coverage

• speeding up the process

• copying information

• calling upon the services of many people

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was one of the foremost figures during America's civil rights movement. In fact, many consider him to be one of the greatest leaders of the twentieth century. He pushed for African Americans to have the same rights as white citizens, including equal access to both public and private facilities, such as schools, workplaces, stores, and restaurants. Also a skilled orator, Dr. King is perhaps best known for his "I Have a Dream" speech, which he delivered during the March on Washington in 1963. Dr. King was an advocate of nonviolent action. He encouraged peaceful protest and was even awarded a Nobel Peace Prize at the strikingly young age of thirty-five.

What is the meaning of foremost as used in the passage?

• most important

• most recent

• most diverse

• most famililar

The International Space Station (ISS) is a space laboratory and construction site that orbits around the Earth at an altitude of about 390 kilometers. Astronauts usually live on the ISS for six-month periods, although some sojourns last up to a year.

On the ISS, the astronauts' work can be both difficult and diverse: tasks include challenging repair jobs and lengthy spacewalks. Therefore, it is important that the astronauts prepare themselves with specially designed routines before arriving at the space station. Such a regimen might include lifting weights, moving heavy objects, doing push-ups and pull-ups, running, and cycling. This constant variation prepares astronauts for all the stresses and challenges they will encounter in space.

Once aboard the space station, these men and women need to continue their workouts, this time in little to no gravity. This situation presents some unique challenges, but scientists have developed many innovations to help astronauts stay in good shape. These include special shoes and new types of weight-lifting machines, treadmills, and exercise bikes that all work without gravity. This physical activity is important because it helps address the detrimental effects of zero gravity, such as premature aging and the loss of muscle mass and bone density.

What is the meaning of detrimental as used in the passage?

• unexpected

• subtle

• harmful

• helpful

The International Space Station (ISS) is a space laboratory and construction site that orbits around the Earth at an altitude of about 390 kilometers. Astronauts usually live on the ISS for six-month periods, although some sojourns last up to a year.

On the ISS, the astronauts' work can be both difficult and diverse: tasks include challenging repair jobs and lengthy spacewalks. Therefore, it is important that the astronauts prepare themselves with specially designed routines before arriving at the space station. Such a regimen might include lifting weights, moving heavy objects, doing push-ups and pull-ups, running, and cycling. This constant variation prepares astronauts for all the stresses and challenges they will encounter in space.

Once aboard the space station, these men and women need to continue their workouts, this time in little to no gravity. This situation presents some unique challenges, but scientists have developed many innovations to help astronauts stay in good shape. These include special shoes and new types of weight-lifting machines, treadmills, and exercise bikes that all work without gravity. This physical activity is important because it helps address the detrimental effects of zero gravity, such as premature aging and the loss of muscle mass and bone density.

What phrase helped you determine the meaning of detrimental as used in the passage?

• stresses and challenges they will encounter in space

• continue their workouts

• loss of muscle mass and bone density

• at an altitude of about 390 kilometers