Context Clues & Figurative Language

Read the following paragraph. Early one Saturday, my parents woke us up and announced that we were attending a swap meet. At first I thought that swap was some strange sport that my dad had started watching. I mean, he is always finding some new events to watch, like log-sawing contests or pumpkin rolling. Imagine my surprise when we pulled up to the community center and saw a collection of small stands set up by people I recognized from our neighborhood. They had brought items that they no longer used but thought they could trade to others for something they might actually be able to use. I wish I had known what a swap meet was so I could have brought some of my old stuff! Which word from the paragraph provides the best context for the meaning of swap?

• meet

• sport

• used

• trade

Tags

CCSS.L.2.4E

CCSS.L.3.4D

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

Read the following paragraph. The chimney sweep quickly scaled the ladder to the top of the roof. Once there, he unpacked his tools and began his work. Thankfully, he had carefully covered the fireplace inside the house with a large tarp. Otherwise, the black powder from inside the chimney would have covered the floor inside the house just as it had painted him! I never knew that burning wood would leave behind so much soot. Which words from the paragraph provide the best context for the meaning of soot?

• carefully covered

• large tarp

• black powder

• painted him

Tags

CCSS.L.2.4E

CCSS.L.3.4D

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

Read the sentence. The squirrel scurried across the dirt road, over a grass field, and into a small hole. What is the meaning of the underlined word in this sentence?

• climbed easily

• traveled directly

• ran quickly

• jumped unexpectedly

Tags

CCSS.L.4.6

CCSS.L.5.6

CCSS.L.6.2B

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.L.7.2B

Read the sentences. NASA plans to send astronauts to other planets. Astronauts will be millions of miles from hospitals. These missions will take years. Scientists must find ways to keep astronauts healthy. Now there is a video game to help scientists learn how to reduce health risks during long space missions. What does reduce mean?

• decrease

• exhibit

• interpret

• produce

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.3.6

CCSS.L.K.5A

Read the sentence. The mayor of our city resides in a large two-story house at the corner of Market Street and Linden Avenue. Which word from the sentence best helps the reader understand what resides means?

• mayor

• city

• house

• corner

Tags

CCSS.L.2.4E

CCSS.L.3.4D

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

Read the sentences. Tom planted an apple seed when he was a little boy. He watched it grow for many years. One day he noticed that apples were finally growing on the tree. It produced apples all summer long. At the end of the summer, he said, “I’m just swimming in apples!” Which sentence best describes what Tom meant when he said, “I’m just swimming in apples!”?

• I really like apples!

• Apples are red, green, and yellow!

• I have so many apples!

• I enjoy picking apples!

Tags

CCSS.L.11-12.5A

Read the sentence. Ann is so good natured that many of her friends say she is like a ray of sunshine. What does the underlined part of the sentence most likely mean?

• Ann makes people feel happy.

• Ann makes people wake up early.

• Ann likes to wear yellow.

• Ann likes to sit in the sun.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

Which sentence contains a metaphor?

• His eyes are his windows to the world.

• The little baby laughed like a lark.

• "Clang, clang!" rang the school bell to signal the beginning of another day.

• My mind is like a tunnel that goes on forever.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Read the sentences. Dave interviewed his grandmother for a social studies report. He learned that she had been a veterinarian, a basketball player, a chef, and a mother. Dave was amazed that she had worn many hats during her life. The underlined part of the sentence most likely means that Dave’s grandmother

• knew many people.

• had a large uniform collection.

• stayed at home most of the time.

• had several responsibilities.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5A

CCSS.L.5.5A

CCSS.RL.5.4

CCSS.W.11-12.2D

Read the sentences. Carla was disappointed because it was raining and she could not go outside and ride her bike. Her brother said, “Look at the bright side. We can stay inside and play a game together.” What do the underlined words in the sentence most likely mean?

• The sun will light up the sky.

• Playing a game is better than riding a bike.

• Think about the situation in a positive way.

• Hope that the rain will continue for several days.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4