Context Clues in The Outsiders

Dally grinned roguishly. ‘I’m never nice. Want a Coke?’ What does the word roguishly most likely mean?

• Angry

• Playfully mischievous

• Boring

• Sincerely nice

Answer explanation

• Context Clue Type: Synonym

• Explanation: Dally’s behavior in this scene, where he’s jokingly offering a Coke while stating he’s never nice, shows that roguishly means mischievous or playfully dishonest. His grin and tone add to this playful mischief.

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That was the truth. Socs were always behind a wall of aloofness, careful not to let their real selves show through. What does the word aloofness most likely mean?

• Emotionally distant

• Warm and friendly

• Easily angered

• Enthusiastic

Answer explanation

• Context Clue Type: Explanation

• Explanation: The phrase “behind a wall” explains the meaning of aloofness. The Socs hide their real emotions, showing they are emotionally distant and not engaged with their feelings or others.

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She gave him an incredulous look; then she threw her Coke in his face. What does the word incredulous most likely mean?

• Excited

• Disbelieving

• Annoyed

• Happy

Answer explanation

• Explanation: Cherry’s action of throwing the Coke in Dally’s face after giving him an incredulous look shows that she did not believe or accept what he said. Her disbelief is clear from her reaction.

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He kicked other horses and was always getting into trouble. ‘I’ve got me an ornery pony,’ Soda’d tell him. What does the word ornery most likely mean?

• Playful

• Bad-tempered

• Energetic

• Lazy

Answer explanation

• Context Clue Type: Examples

• Explanation: The description of the pony kicking other horses and causing trouble provides an example of its bad-tempered nature. This gives you the clue that ornery means difficult to manage and often irritable.

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I made sure my tone was nonchalant as I said, ‘Might as well.’ What does the word nonchalant most likely mean?

• Casual, without concern

• Anxious

• Nervous

• Excited

Answer explanation

• Context Clue Type: Synonym 

• Explanation: Ponyboy’s desire to seem casual and unconcerned in his tone helps define nonchalant as indifferent or relaxed. He wants to appear as though he doesn’t care. 

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Things are happening too fast. I thought with a bewildering feeling of being rushed. What does the word bewildering most likely mean?

• Slow

• Clear and understandable

• Confusing or overwhelming

• Simple

Answer explanation

• Context Clue Type: Explanation 

• Explanation: Ponyboy’s feeling of being rushed and unable to keep up provides an explanation for bewildering, which means confusing or overwhelming. 

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It was a small church, real old and spooky and spiderwebby. It gave me the creeps… this church gave me a kind of creepy feeling. What do you call it? Premonition? What does the word premonition most likely mean?

• A happy feeling

• A feeling that something bad will happen

• A feeling of calm

• A memory

Answer explanation

• Context Clue Type: Explanation 

• Explanation: The word premonition is explained by the context of feeling creepy and uneasy. Ponyboy senses something bad might happen, which gives meaning to the word. 

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Johnny’s eyes went round, and he winced as though I’d belted him. What does the word winced most likely mean?

• To smile

• To flinch in pain

• To shout

• To laugh

Answer explanation

• Context Clue Type: Explanation 

• Explanation: The phrase “as though I’d belted him” provides an explanation that winced means to flinch in response to pain or fear, even though Johnny wasn’t actually hit. 

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I didn’t quite get what she meant by the look she gave me; it was a look of contempt. She was mad. What does the word contempt most likely mean?

• Respect

• Fear

• Disrespect or scorn

• Curiosity

Answer explanation

• Context Clue Type: Explanation 

• Explanation: The phrase “she was mad” helps explain that contempt means a strong feeling of dislike or disrespect. The look Cherry gave Ponyboy shows anger and disdain. 

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The soldiers fought gallantly, never giving up even when the odds were against them. What does the word gallantly most likely mean?

• Cowardly

• Bravely

• Slowly

• Quietly

Answer explanation

• Context Clue Type: Synonym 

• Explanation: The phrase “never giving up even when the odds were against them” is a clue that gallantly means bravely. The soldiers’ courage under pressure suggests they were acting with valor. 

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