Use Context to Identify the Meaning of a Word

E: Diane was lethargic; she didn't have the energy to get out of bed.

• allergic

• lively, alert

• drowsy, sluggish

• in bed

C: The orange feral cat would not let us pet him, unlike our friendly, tame white cat.

• uncaring

• tame

• abandoned

• wild

L: We know the puppy has a kind disposition because we've never seen her bite or scratch anyone.

• home

• owner

• heart

• personality

C: His animosity, unlike his usual kindhearted nature of his sister, divided the family.

• friendliness

• hatred

• knowledge

• animation

D: "Haberdashery, which is a store that sells men’s clothing, is becoming more common today.”

• a barber shop

• a type of men's clothing

• a store for hats

• clothing store for men

R: The root word -grat- means: thanks/ pleasing; the suffix -fy means to make, cause. Determine the meaning: A guilty verdict would gratify the victim's relatives.

• make them angry

• make them glad

• make them sad

• make them annoyed

D: The doctor's writing was utterly illegible; no one could read those scribbles.

• unreadable

• readable

• false

• sick

R: the suffix -ist means a person, or one who does an action; the meaning of -ambular- is walk; and the prefix somn- means sleep

The somnambulist had to be locked in his bedroom at night for his own safety. What does somnambulist mean?

• a person who walks to class

• a person who decorates bedrooms

• a person who walks in their sleep

• a person who knows about sleeping

E: She told her friend, “I’m through with blind dates forever. What a dull evening! I was bored every minute. The conversation was absolutely vapid.”

• exciting

• boring

• strong

• smelly

L: During those first bewildering weeks, the thoughts of a seventh-grader drift back to sixth grade where he was “in,” knew everyone, and felt at home. A feeling of nostalgia sweeps over him.

• the flu and painfulness

• nightmares of what is happening

• pleasant memories of the past

• the future of their life