Context Clues for Meaning

The contractor was always reimbursed well for his work. He received $10,000 for a small addition to a house, and last year he received $5,000 for reconstructing a stairway. Which context clue in the sentence above is MOST helpful for understanding the meaning of reimbursed ?

• contractor

• received $10,000

• a small addition to a house

• reconstructing

My sister is parsimonious, but she is not as cheap as my mother. My mother hasn't bought a pair of new shoes in 20 years!

What is the meaning of the word parsimonious in the selection above?

• thrifty

• intelligent

• unclean

• thoughtless

My sister is parsimonious, but she is not as cheap as my mother. My mother hasn't bought a pair of new shoes in 20 years!

What type of context clues are used to help hint at the meaning of the word parsimonious?

• synonym and example

• antonym and definition

• definition and synonym

• antonym and example

• none of the above

John was an extrovert who enjoyed being with crowds of people and seemed to feed off their energy. The more people he was around, the louder, friendlier, and more lively he became.

What is the meaning of the word extrovert in the selection above?

• someone who is soft-spoken

• someone who is outgoing

• someone who is strange

• someone who is cruel

John was an extrovert who enjoyed being with crowds of people and seemed to feed off their energy. The more people he was around, the louder, friendlier, and more lively he became.

What type of context clues are used to help hint at the meaning of the word extrovert?

• synonyms

• antonyms

• definitions

• examples

The committee voted to augment the training program budget because there were still items that needed to be purchased. The committee would then be able to purchase the necessary supplies.

What is the meaning of the word augment in the selection above?

• to leave alone

• to scrap

• to combine

• to add to

It was unacceptable for the moderator to berate the panel members for no reason. The members were very displeased with his disrespectful criticism.

Which word from the sentence helps the reader understand the meaning of berate?

• very

• reason

• members

• criticism

The contusion on the patient's arm was one of several bruises on his body.

What is the meaning of the word contusion in the selection above?

• brace

• tattoo

• injury

• picture

The scene was melancholy. The mourners wore various shades of black, and they had tears in their eyes.

What is the meaning of the word melancholy in the selection above?

• victorious

• still

• gloomy

• loud

The floors of the cafeteria were squalid. They were covered with spilled grease, crumbs of food, and bits of notebook paper.

What is the meaning of the word squalid in the selection above?

• colorful

• maintained

• dirty

• proper