Context Clues

The teacher insinuates that the test will be the hardest one the class has ever taken. “You should be studying every night for as long as possible,” she tells her students. What does insinuates mean?

• A. Strongly suggest

• B. Has a logical consequence

• C. State indirectly

• D. Challenges

The suspect was being detained by the police officers for withholding information about the crime he was being charged for. What does detained mean?

• A. Prepared

• B. Enlightened

• C. Confused

• D. Explicate

Archaeologists have unearthed many ancient Egyptian tombs. Once found, the scientists carefully studied the findings back at their labs. What does unearthed mean?

• A. Revealed

• B. Suppressed

• C. Covered

• D. Mummies

The boy tended to lose focus easily when it came to homework and school. He had the opposite effect when he was able to play sports or go to football practice. What does tended mean?

• A. Typically

• B. Abandon

• C. Gravitated

• D. Neglected

A positive perspective and outlook on things can make a person thrive. Many doctors will agree that mental health can be directly related to a person’s well-being. What does thrive mean?

• A. Shrink

• B. Recede

• C. Flourish

• D. Energy

The race car driver knew that it was vital to his career to win the trophy for the championship. Fans and endorsements were an integral part of driving success in his profession. What does vital mean?

• A. Voluntary

• B. Optional

• C. Extra

• D. Critical

The teacher stood in front of the classroom and held three papers without names on them. “Let me reiterate the importance of your John Hancock being on your assignment. Without your signature, I can not give you a grade,” she stated. What does reiterate mean?

• A. Emphasize

• B. Said

• C. Mumbled

• D. Shouted

The student read the excerpt over for the third time. Staring blankly at the ceiling, she decided to read again, but she would read slowly this time. The selection went along with a comprehensive assignment and was due for homework. What does selection mean?

• A. The act or instance of selecting

• B. Homework

• C. A passage or paragraph

• D. A book

The cat was clearly the culprit for bringing rodents, worms, and other insects inside the house. The owner was annoyed that the vermin had been dropped inside her home. What does culprit mean?

• A. A hunter

• B. Someone guilty of an offense

• C. A four legged creature

• D. Wrong-doing

Have you ever noticed that a TV show tends to create anxiety for the audience before cutting to a commercial break? I can’t stand when a season ends with a cliffhanger, and I have to wait months to find out what happens next. What does anxiety mean?

• A. Actors

• B. Uncertainty.

• C. Peace

• D. Composure