Finding Meanings Using Contextual Clues

The merchant ignored the peasant's words. "I hope you enjoy your reward," he said. "Thank you again and good-bye." He quickly departed.

Which word or words help the reader understand the meaning of the word departed?

• hope you enjoy your reward

• ignored the peasant's words

• Thank you again

• good-bye

What does the word interact mean in the sentence below? The biologist is studying how the monkeys interact.

• make decisions

• learn new things

• differ from each other

• behave with each other

What does the word infinite mean as it is used in these lines?

Azure sky, coral clouds, kelly green grass.
An infinite world of color, all around me in an unfolding picture.

• endless

  In these lines, the word infinite means almost the same thing as the word endless. The "world of color" goes on endlessly.

• startling

  Although the display of colors the speaker experiences might be considered startling, this meaning is not supported by the surrounding context.

• brilliant

  The word infinite refers to the "world of color," suggesting that this world goes on endlessly.

• varied

  Although the colors the speaker sees are many and varied, this is not the meaning of infinite as it is used in this context.

What does the word preened mean as it is used in the first paragraph on page 86?

• looked

• ate

• straighten and smoothed

• waved

of great size, enormous

• dense

• murky

• vast

• resemble

performed with little or no delay

• precision

• transgression

• prompt

• somber

No word must ever leak out about this military action! It has to be a clandestine operation in order to succeed.

Which word has the same meaning as clandestine?

• family

• useful

• dangerous

• secret

What does the word 'elated' mean in the sentence below? The student was elated after receiving the award.

• A) confused

• B) thrilled

• C) disappointed

• D) indifferent

In the sentence 'The detective scrutinized the evidence carefully,' what does the word 'scrutinized' mean?

• A) ignored

• B) examined

• C) misplaced

• D) destroyed

Which word or words help the reader understand the meaning of the word 'abandoned' in the sentence: 'The old house was abandoned, with broken windows and a creaky door.'

• A) old house

• B) broken windows

• C) creaky door

• D) was abandoned