Making Inferences and Drawing Conclusions, Using Context Clues

1. Emir rarely rides to school each morning. He could take the school bus but prefers to walk the two miles from his home to school. He believes that the walk wakes him up and improves his learning throughout the day.

a. Emir always rides the bus home at the end of the school day.
b. Emir never rides the bus to school.
c. Emir values learning.
d. Emir is usually late for school.

• a. Emir always rides the bus home at the end of the school day.

• b. Emir never rides the bus to school.

• c. Emir values learning.

• d. Emir is usually late for school.

2. “Remember, Maria,” Mrs. Russo said, “you’re very allergic to chocolate. Please don’t eat any chocolate candy at the Halloween party!”

Three hours later, Maria was home from the party with a terrible stomach ache. “I promise you, Mom,” Maria groaned, “I’ll always do what you say from now on.”

a. Maria got into a fight at the party.
b. Maria ate chocolate at the party.
c. Maria ate no chocolate at the party.
d. Maria embarrassed herself by singing at the party.

• a. Maria got into a fight at the party.

• b. Maria ate chocolate at the party.

• c. Maria ate no chocolate at the party.

• d. Maria embarrassed herself by singing at the party.

3. In another week, we’ll be turning our clocks back one hour. Then it will be almost dark by the time most of us get home from school. It will seem as if we suddenly have less daylight each day. Of course, people aren’t actually changing the behavior of the sun or the earth by messing with their clocks.

a. Our planet has to spin faster when we reset our clocks.
b. It’s clear that turning our clocks back will help prevent global warming.
c. If according to our clocks, the sun sets an hour earlier, it will also rise an hour earlier.
d. The earth will actually rotate at a slower rate when we turn back the clocks.

• a. Our planet has to spin faster when we reset our clocks.

• b. It’s clear that turning our clocks back will help prevent global warming.

• c. If according to our clocks, the sun sets an hour earlier, it will also rise an hour earlier.

• d. The earth will actually rotate at a slower rate when we turn back the clocks.

4. Every time I give my cat a plate of tuna, he ignores it. Every time I give him a plate of salmon, he quickly eats it all. When I feed him beef, he eats a little bit of it, but doesn’t seem to love it.

a. Cats prefer salmon over tuna.
b. I give my cat more than one kind of food.
c. My cat likes tuna better than beef.
d. My cat won’t eat fish.

• a. Cats prefer salmon over tuna.

• b. I give my cat more than one kind of food.

• c. My cat likes tuna better than beef.

• d. My cat won’t eat fish.

1.No matter where you go, the Internet is following you. Almost every portable device is being made with an Internet connection. Most new TVs and many other appliances come with Internet connections as well. The Internet is truly ubiquitous.

If something is ubiquitous,  __________.

a. it is fuzzy and will bite you
b. it is everywhere
c. it costs too much money
d. it causes rashes

• a. it is fuzzy and will bite you

• b. it is everywhere

• c. it costs too much money

• d. it causes rashes

2. Speaking rudely to the judges was rash behavior. You really hurt your chances of winning!

In the above context, what does “rash” mean?

a. an itchy skin condition
b. funny
c. trying to hide or disguise a piece of cheese
d. with little thought or consideration

• a. an itchy skin condition
  

• b. funny
  

• c. trying to hide or disguise a piece of cheese
  

• d. with little thought or consideration

3. Some people are always bashing the president just like others bashed the one before him. Wouldn't you think that everyone could find something to praise him for, at least once in a while? 

What does “bashing” mean in the above selection?

a. hitting hard with a heavy tool
b. going to too many expensive parties
c. speaking or writing harshly about
d. voting for a different candidate

• a. hitting hard with a heavy tool
  

• b. going to too many expensive parties
  

• c. speaking or writing harshly about
  

• d. voting for a different candidate

4. Wherever he goes, the esteemed Dr. Sanchez is applauded for his life saving research.

What does “esteemed” mean?

a. held over boiling water
b. very old
c. unable to chew gum
d. greatly admired

• a. held over boiling water
  

• b. very old
  

• c. unable to chew gum
  

• d. greatly admired