Vocabulary in Context Clues

As she laid baking in the sun on a crowded beach, Saleem had a longing for an ice cold bottle of water and an umbrella. The word longing means:

• irritation

• a strong desire for something

• a length of beach

• extreme thirst

Measles is a childhood disease that was eradicated in the USA 20 years ago, but it has returned to sicken people in several states because not all children have received vaccinations against it. The word eradicated means:

• frightening

• discovered

• completely eliminated or destroyed

• irrational

Jared had a burning desire to play in the NBA, but he was pragmatic enough to realize that his lack of height and many basketball injuries in college might make his goal impossible to achieve. The word pragmatic means:

• nonsensical

• hopeful

• realistic

• lack of common sense

"Are you ready for vacation?' the teacher asked. In unison, all the students responded, "YES!" The word unison means:

• simultaneously

• independently

• unhappily

• excitement

My aunt went to the psychic fair because she hoped to find a clairvoyant who would be able to see what would happen to her marriage and career in the next few years. The word clairvoyant means:

• a traveller

• one who analyzes the past

• a job or life coach

• one who is able to predict or foretell future events

The principal suspected that Mr. Green's class would be out of control, yet he was pleasantly surprised to see the well behaved boys and girls working assiduously on their science projects. The word assiduously means:

• attentively and carefully

• carelessly and sloppily

• sarcastically and duplicity

• apathetically and lethargically

Even though the administration tried to stifle student opposition to the new uniform code, they managed to express their concerns by carrying signs and speaking at the school board meeting. The word stifle means:

• to stop

• to sniff

• a minor or unimportant point

• to encourage

No one wanted to be around Dad when he was sick, for he became cranky and querulous; anything we said could lead to heated words. The work querulous means:

• in a sickly manner

• demanding of others

• frustrated and impatient

• complaining in an argumentative way

Because she only gave the contract a cursory glance, Dina didn't realize that she had agreed to pay a penalty if she changed her cell phone company within the next two years. The word cursory means:

• a sideways look

• thoroughly read

• quickly, without attention

• impulsive decision

Geometry is difficult and confusing. No matter how many times the teacher explains a problem, I find myself flummoxed! The word flummoxed means:

• disturbed and angry

• sad and worried

• totally confused

• not caring about anything