Context clues: Synonyms

The new video game had an intricate plot, with many complex twists and turns that kept players guessing. In the sentence, the word intricate is a synonym for which of the following?

• simple

• confusing

• detailed

• boring

Answer explanation

The context clue 'many complex twists and turns' suggests that the plot was not simple or boring, but full of detail. While a detailed plot might be confusing, 'detailed' is the best direct synonym for intricate.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.4A

CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.L.7.5B

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.5.5C

Match each bolded word from the sentences to its closest synonym.

• plentiful

• After the heavy rains, wildflowers were abundant; the fields were covered in a plentiful supply of them.

• essential

• After a long, sleepless night, the student felt lethargic and sluggish all morning.

• sluggish

• It is crucial that you bring water on the hike; having it is essential for your safety.

• bright

• The artist used vivid colors, making the painting look exceptionally bright and lifelike.

Answer explanation

Each sentence provides a synonym clue for the bolded word. For example, the context 'plentiful supply' in the first sentence helps define 'abundant'.

When Maria said she met a famous celebrity, her friend gave her an incredulous look, as if she couldn't believe it. Based on the context, what is a synonym for incredulous?

• excited

• angry

• skeptical

• bored

Answer explanation

The context clue 'as if she couldn't believe it' directly points to the meaning of incredulous, which is being unwilling to believe something. 'Skeptical' shares this meaning.

Tags

CCSS.L.6.4A

CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.L.7.5B

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.5.5C

Sort the following words into two groups: Synonyms for 'Brave' and Antonyms for 'Brave'.

Groups:

(a) Synonyms for 'Brave'

,

(b) Antonyms for 'Brave'

• fearful

• valiant

• timid

• courageous

Answer explanation

'Courageous' and 'valiant' are synonyms for 'brave' as they describe having courage. 'Timid' and 'fearful' are antonyms because they describe a lack of courage.

The artist was meticulous, spending hours on every tiny detail to make the painting perfect. Which synonym for meticulous best captures the idea of being careful, as shown in the sentence?

• quick

• sloppy

• precise

• creative

Answer explanation

The context 'spending hours on every tiny detail' highlights the careful and exact nature of the artist's work. 'Precise' is the best synonym for this meaning, while 'quick' and 'sloppy' are opposites.

The lake was so serene this morning; the water was completely still without a single ripple. Based on the context, what does serene mean?

• stormy

• crowded

• calm

• deep

Answer explanation

The context clue 'completely still without a single ripple' suggests a state of quiet and peace. 'Calm' is the best synonym for serene in this context.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.3.6

CCSS.L.4.6

CCSS.RL.1.4

Match each bolded word from the sentences to its synonym.

• Hard-working

• The host, who loves throwing parties, is known for being quite gregarious.

• Sensible

• Because she was diligent, the student's hard work paid off with high grades.

• Sociable

• Even after a major setback, the resilient player bounced back and was ready for the next game.

• Quick to recover

• A prudent shopper always compares prices to make a sensible choice and save money.

Answer explanation

Each sentence provides a context clue for the bolded word. 'Hard work' points to 'diligent', 'loves throwing parties' points to 'gregarious', 'sensible choice' points to 'prudent', and 'bounced back' points to 'resilient'.

The teacher's instructions were ambiguous, which caused a lot of confusion and led to half the class doing the wrong assignment. Based on the context, what is the meaning of ambiguous?

• clear

• detailed

• unclear

• simple

Answer explanation

The context clues 'caused a lot of confusion' and 'half the class doing the wrong assignment' indicate that the instructions were not easy to understand. Therefore, 'unclear' is the best synonym for ambiguous.

Sort these synonyms for 'happy' and 'sad' based on the feeling they describe.

Groups:

(a) Words for Happy

,

(b) Words for Sad

• content

• melancholy

• ecstatic

• dismal

• jubilant

• dejected

Answer explanation

Words are grouped by their positive (happy) or negative (sad) connotations. 'Ecstatic,' 'jubilant,' and 'content' express happiness, while 'melancholy,' 'dejected,' and 'dismal' express sadness.

Instead of following their plan, the friends made a spontaneous decision to go to the beach, an idea that came to them suddenly. Based on the context, what does the word spontaneous most likely mean?

• carefully planned

• boring

• impulsive

• difficult

Answer explanation

The sentence states that the friends acted 'instead of following their plan' and that the idea 'came to them suddenly.' These clues indicate the decision was made without forethought, which means it was 'impulsive'.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.3.6

CCSS.L.4.6

CCSS.RL.1.4