Context Clues - Word position and function

Read the sentence: After playing soccer for three hours without a break, I was completely famished. Based on the surrounding words, what does famished most likely mean?

• Very thirsty

• Extremely hungry

• Full of energy

• Feeling bored

Answer explanation

The context clues 'playing soccer for three hours' and 'without a break' suggest a state of needing food, making 'extremely hungry' the correct meaning. The other options are less likely results of long physical activity without eating.

Match each underlined word to its function (its job) in the sentence.

• Describes a thing (Adjective)

• The gigantic marshmallow was fun to eat.

• Names a concept (Noun)

• She sprinted across the field to score.

• Shows an action (Verb)

• Teamwork is essential for success.

Answer explanation

The word's function helps determine its meaning. 'Gigantic' describes the marshmallow, 'sprinted' shows an action, and 'teamwork' names a concept.

In the sentence, 'After scoring the winning goal, the whole team was ecstatic,' what does ecstatic mean?

• Slightly disappointed

• Calm and relaxed

• Overjoyed and thrilled

• Confused and lost

Answer explanation

The clue 'scoring the winning goal' appears at the beginning of the sentence and provides the context for the feeling described by 'ecstatic' at the end. Winning a game causes happiness, so 'overjoyed' is the correct meaning.

A word's function can be to describe or to show action. Sort these words into the correct categories: Words that Describe (Adjectives) or Words that Show Action (Verbs).

Groups:

(a) Words that Describe (Adjectives)

,

(b) Words that Show Action (Verbs)

• brave

• sleepy

• invent

• explore

• build

• cheerful

Answer explanation

Understanding a word's function helps define it. Adjectives like 'cheerful,' 'brave,' and 'sleepy' describe nouns, while verbs like 'explore,' 'build,' and 'invent' show actions.

Read the sentence: The ant was so minuscule that I could barely see the tiny insect. Based on the context, what does minuscule mean?

• Extremely small

• Very fast

• Brightly colored

• Quite strong

Answer explanation

The word 'tiny' is a synonym clue placed near 'minuscule'. By recognizing that 'tiny' means small, the reader can infer that 'minuscule' also means very small.

Bewildered, the new student looked around the huge, noisy cafeteria, not knowing where to sit. In this sentence, what does Bewildered mean?

• Confident and happy

• Confused and uncertain

• Angry and annoyed

• Excited and eager

Answer explanation

The word 'Bewildered' is at the beginning of the sentence. The rest of the sentence, which describes a new student in a 'huge, noisy cafeteria' who doesn't know 'where to sit,' explains the meaning of the word.

Match each sentence to the type of context clue it uses to define the bolded word.

• Antonym (Opposite) Clue

• She loved all felines, such as lions, tigers, and house cats.

• Example Clue

• The journey was perilous; we knew the dangerous path was full of risks.

• Synonym/Restatement Clue

• He was gregarious, unlike his shy and quiet brother.

Answer explanation

The first sentence uses an antonym ('shy') to show 'gregarious' means the opposite. The second uses a synonym ('dangerous') to restate the meaning of 'perilous'. The third sentence provides examples ('lions, tigers') to explain 'felines'.

Read the sentence: He sauntered through the park, clearly not in any hurry. Based on the context, what does sauntered mean?

• Ran as fast as possible

• Walked in a slow, relaxed way

• Jumped over obstacles

• Marched with purpose

Answer explanation

The function of 'sauntered' is to show an action (a verb). The surrounding words 'not in any hurry' provide a direct clue that the walk was slow and relaxed.

The words around a term can give it a positive or negative feeling. Sort these sentences into two categories based on the feeling the context provides for the bolded word: Positive Feeling or Negative Feeling.

Groups:

(a) Positive Feeling

,

(b) Negative Feeling

• The dog's unique trick made everyone laugh.

• The food had a unique and unpleasant taste.

• His stubborn attitude helped him finish the marathon.

• Her stubborn refusal to listen caused problems.

Answer explanation

Context determines connotation. 'Stubborn' is positive when it leads to finishing a marathon but negative when it causes problems. 'Unique' is positive for a fun trick but negative for an unpleasant taste.

Read the sentence: Her excuse for being late was so plausible that the teacher believed it completely. Which word is a synonym for plausible?

• Unbelievable

• Complicated

• Creative

• Believable

Answer explanation

The context clue 'the teacher believed it completely' helps you infer that 'plausible' means something is credible or believable. The other options do not fit this context.