Context clues: Synonyms

After playing in the soccer tournament all day, I felt completely lethargic and just wanted to sleep. What is a synonym for lethargic?

• Energetic

• Sluggish

• Anxious

• Hungry

Answer explanation

The context clue 'after playing...all day' and 'wanted to sleep' suggests a state of extreme tiredness. 'Sluggish' means slow-moving or inactive, which is a synonym for lethargic. 'Energetic' is an antonym.

Read each sentence and use context clues to understand the bolded word. Then, match the bolded word to its closest synonym.

• Sociable

• Feeling apprehensive about the big presentation, Sarah double-checked her slides and practiced her speech one last time.

• Hardworking

• My brother is quite gregarious; he makes new friends everywhere he goes and loves being the center of attention at parties.

• Nervous

• The diligent student spent hours in the library, carefully reviewing her notes before the final exam.

Answer explanation

The context of 'spent hours in the library' suggests 'diligent' means hardworking. The description of making 'new friends everywhere' indicates 'gregarious' means sociable. The feeling before a 'big presentation' that leads to double-checking points to 'apprehensive' meaning nervous.

The teacher's instructions for the project were so ambiguous that no one knew where to start. Which word is a synonym for ambiguous?

• Clear

• Detailed

• Unclear

• Simple

Answer explanation

The context clue 'no one knew where to start' indicates confusion. 'Unclear' is the best synonym for ambiguous, which means open to more than one interpretation. 'Clear' and 'Simple' are antonyms.

Read each sentence. Based on the context clues, sort the bolded word into the category that best describes its meaning.

Groups:

(a) Positive Emotion (like 'Happy')

,

(b) Negative Emotion (like 'Sad')

• The novel's gloomy atmosphere was reflected in its dark, somber setting.

• The reunion was a joyful occasion for the whole family.

• He was ecstatic to learn he had won the grand prize.

• A feeling of melancholy settled over him on the rainy afternoon.

• She had a sorrowful expression after hearing the bad news.

• The crowd was jubilant after the last-second victory.

Answer explanation

By using context clues (e.g., 'victory,' 'grand prize,' 'family reunion'), students can determine that 'jubilant,' 'ecstatic,' and 'joyful' are positive emotions. Clues like 'bad news,' 'rainy afternoon,' and 'dark, somber setting' help identify 'sorrowful,' 'melancholy,' and 'gloomy' as negative emotions.

My brother is meticulous when building his model airplanes; he makes sure every tiny piece is placed perfectly. What does meticulous mean?

• Careless

• Quick

• Creative

• Precise

Answer explanation

The context clue 'makes sure every tiny piece is placed perfectly' suggests great attention to detail. 'Precise' is a synonym for meticulous. 'Careless' is an antonym.

Despite losing the first game, the team was resilient and came back to win the championship. Which word is the best synonym for resilient as it is used in the sentence?

• Hardy

• Fragile

• Discouraged

• Weary

Answer explanation

The context shows the team 'came back to win' after a loss, indicating they could recover quickly from a difficult situation. 'Hardy' means strong and able to endure difficult conditions, which is the best synonym for resilient. 'Fragile' is an antonym, while 'discouraged' and 'weary' describe feelings the team might have had but do not capture the meaning of bouncing back.

Read each sentence and use context clues to understand the bolded word. Then, match the sentence to the best synonym for the bolded word.

• Plentiful

• The library was a tranquil place, perfect for quiet study and reflection.

• Peaceful

• After the heavy rains, wildflowers were abundant in the fields, covering every hill.

• Rare

• During the drought, clean water became scarce, and people had to conserve every drop.

• Vital

• It is crucial that you follow the safety instructions exactly to avoid any accidents.

Answer explanation

The context clue 'covering every hill' suggests 'abundant' means plentiful. 'Quiet study and reflection' indicates 'tranquil' means peaceful. 'Conserve every drop' points to 'scarce' meaning rare. The need to 'avoid accidents' shows that 'crucial' means vital or extremely important.

Just as I realized I had forgotten my wallet, my friend's fortuitous arrival with a packed lunch saved me from going hungry. Based on the context, what does fortuitous mean?

• Planned

• Unfortunate

• Lucky and timely

• Delayed

Answer explanation

The context describes a lucky and timely event: the friend arrived with lunch just when the speaker realized they had no money. This positive, chance occurrence points to the meaning of 'fortuitous'. 'Planned' is incorrect because the timing seems like a coincidence. 'Unfortunate' and 'delayed' are antonyms of the meaning implied by the context.

Read the sentences below. Group them into three pairs where the bolded words are synonyms.

Groups:

(a) Synonym Pair 1

,

(b) Synonym Pair 2

,

(c) Synonym Pair 3

• From the top of the mountain, the immense forest stretched out to the horizon.

• The cheetah's swift movements allowed it to catch its prey easily.

• The river's current became more rapid after the storm.

• The Sahara Desert is a vast expanse of sand and rock.

• A single tiny grain of sand got in my eye and caused a lot of irritation.

• The scientist used a microscope to view the minuscule organism.

Answer explanation

By analyzing the context of each sentence, students can pair the synonyms. 'Immense' and 'vast' both describe something very large. 'Minuscule' and 'tiny' both describe something very small. 'Swift' and 'rapid' both describe something that is very fast.

After hiking for ten miles, my legs felt like lead. Which synonym for 'walk' best describes how I moved down the trail?

• Strolled

• Skipped

• Trudged

• Marched

Answer explanation

The context 'hiking for ten miles' and 'legs felt like lead' implies exhaustion. 'Trudged' means to walk slowly with heavy steps, which best fits the tired feeling. The other options imply a lighter, more energetic pace.