Context Clues - Contrast/antonym

After the long hike, I felt energetic, but my brother was completely lethargic and just wanted to lie on the couch. Based on the contrast, what does lethargic most likely mean?

• Sluggish and lacking energy

• Excited and happy

• Hungry and thirsty

• Anxious and worried

Answer explanation

The word 'but' signals a contrast. Since the speaker felt 'energetic,' 'lethargic' must mean the opposite, which is sluggish and lacking energy.

Tags

CCSS.L.5.4A

CCSS.L.5.5C

CCSS.L.6.4A

CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.L.7.5B

Match each sentence to the function of its underlined contrast clue.

• Highlights a strong difference between two states.

• The kitten was tiny, unlike the enormous dog.

• Shows a direct opposition between two things.

• He felt calm, in contrast to his anxious friend.

• Signals a shift to an opposite idea.

• The first test was simple; however, the final was complex.

Answer explanation

Contrast words like 'unlike', 'in contrast to', and 'however' are clues that two ideas or words in a sentence are opposites or strongly different.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.5.6

My sister is quite shy, whereas I am gregarious and love being the center of attention. The word 'whereas' signals a contrast. What does gregarious mean?

• Sociable and outgoing

• Quiet and reserved

• Smart and clever

• Artistic and creative

Answer explanation

'Whereas' shows that 'gregarious' is the opposite of 'shy.' Therefore, 'gregarious' means sociable and outgoing.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.3.6

CCSS.L.4.6

CCSS.RL.1.4

Sort the sentences into two groups: 'Shows a Clear Contrast' or 'Does Not Show a Contrast'.

Groups:

(a) Shows a Clear Contrast

,

(b) Does Not Show a Contrast

• He was a novice, or beginner, at chess.

• Unlike the smooth rock, the bark was coarse.

• The desert is arid, but the rainforest is humid.

• She felt ecstatic; in other words, she was very happy.

Answer explanation

Sentences with words like 'but' and 'unlike' show contrast. The other sentences use definition or synonym clues ('or beginner', 'in other words') to explain meaning.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

Forgetting my homework was a major problem, but losing my pen was a trivial issue. What does the word trivial mean in this sentence?

• Unimportant or minor

• Very serious

• A happy surprise

• A difficult challenge

Answer explanation

The word 'but' contrasts a 'major problem' with a 'trivial issue.' This means 'trivial' must be the opposite of major, so it means unimportant or minor.

In the sentence, 'The path was smooth, yet the shortcut was rocky,' which word is the antonym clue that signals the contrast?

• yet

• path

• was

• rocky

Answer explanation

Words like 'but', 'however', and 'yet' are signal words that indicate a contrast or opposite relationship between ideas in a sentence.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

Match each vocabulary word to the sentence that uses a contrast clue to help define it.

• The paper lantern was fragile, unlike the sturdy iron gate.

• compulsory

• While my friend was pessimistic about our chances, I remained optimistic.

• fragile

• Art class is optional, but English is compulsory for all students.

• optimistic

Answer explanation

Each sentence provides an antonym clue ('sturdy,' 'pessimistic,' 'optional') that helps define the vocabulary word through contrast.

In the city, parks are scarce; however, out in the country, green spaces are abundant. What does abundant most likely mean?

• Plentiful

• Empty

• Small

• Polluted

Answer explanation

The word 'however' signals a contrast with 'scarce' (meaning rare). Therefore, 'abundant' means the opposite: plentiful or existing in large quantities.

Based on the contrast clues, sort the underlined words by their meaning: 'Positive Trait' or 'Negative Trait'.

Groups:

(a) Positive Trait

,

(b) Negative Trait

• He expected a fun party, but the mood was somber.

• Unlike her grumpy brother, she was always jovial.

• I felt anxious before the test, yet serene afterward.

• The crowd was hostile, in contrast to the friendly welcome we expected.

Answer explanation

The context provides antonyms (fun/somber, grumpy/jovial, hostile/friendly, anxious/serene) that reveal whether the underlined word has a positive or negative meaning.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

Which sentence structure most clearly uses contrast to define the word sluggish?

• The energetic puppy ran in circles, while the old dog was sluggish.

• The old dog was sluggish and moved slowly.

• The sluggish dog, which was old, lay on the rug.

• Because it was old, the dog was sluggish.

Answer explanation

This sentence directly contrasts an 'energetic' subject with a 'sluggish' one using the signal word 'while', making the meaning of 'sluggish' (slow, lacking energy) the most clear.