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Context Clues Practice 7th & 8th Grade

Total questions: 41

Worksheet time: 38mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
The thought of eating a rat is ABHORRENT to most people.
a)
fun
b)
horrible
c)
delicious
d)
exciting
2.
Over the holidays, families can show their GENEROSITY by donating food to the homeless.
a)
happiness
b)
sadness
c)
willingness to give
d)
meaness
3.
Grandpa was in a jovial mood, making jokes and laughing at everything. 
a)
crazy
b)
happy
c)
irritable
d)
angry
4.
When they opened the very old tomb, they found some ancient artifacts. The word ancient means....
a)
New
b)
Very old 
c)
Damanged
d)
strange 
5.
Again they searched meticulously, but no keys.  Where could they be?  They've looked EVERYWHERE! If you did something meticulously, you would be-
a)
feeling silly.
b)
working very carefully.
c)
trying to finish quickly.
d)
trying to find something.
6.
Tanya loved her dad, but she wondered why she was so organized when he was so haphazard.  A person who is haphazard is- 
a)
lost
b)
lovable 
c)
worried
d)
disorganized
7.
Tonya was relaxing with a magazine when her father walked in, looking perturbed and sounding annoyed, too. What words give you clues to the meaning of perturbed?
a)
can you help me
b)
her father walked in 
c)
sounding annoyed, too
d)
relaxing with a magazine
8.
Luis was adamant and insisted, "But Mom said she was preparing dinner tonight!" The word that best defines adamant is-
a)
happy 
b)
unsure
c)
nervous
d)
stubborn
9.
In late 2006, apiarists in the U.S. began reporting that their honey bees were dying. Some of these beekeepers lost 90 percent of their hives. What is the best definition of apiarists?
a)
hives
b)
problems
c)
honeybees
d)
beekeepers
10.
Based on the context clues in the sentence below, ecstatic means:

They were ecstatic at the birth of their baby.  They couldn't stop smiling for days. 
a)
Nervous
b)
Discouraged
c)
Excited
d)
Relieved
11.
The garrulous boy rambled on continuously as he told his mother about his day at school.
What does garrulous mean? 
a)
Quiet
b)
Secretive
c)
talkative 
d)
Exhausted
12.

David knew that the advance studies program was rigorous. It would require a great deal of reading and homework. Still, he felt he was up for the challenge.


The word rigorous means:

a)

boring

b)

difficult

c)

lonely

d)

surprising

13.

The shallow river was usually easy for hikers to wade across. However, the recent heavy rains had turned it into a rushing torrent, too treacherous to cross.


The word treacherous means:

a)

wet

b)

dirty

c)

difficult

d)

dangerous

14.

When you read you often come to words that you don't know. One way to find out a words meanings is to look for_________________________________

a)

answers

b)

study guides

c)

context clues

d)

cheat codes

15.

Authors use context clues to create _________ as a way to assist the reader in defining a tough or uncommon word.


Fill in the blank.

a)

hints

b)

cheats

c)

words

d)

sentences

16.

Which of the following statements is correct?

a)

Context clues are used by the author to help readers define an unfamiliar word.

b)

There is just one type of context clue the author will use to help readers define an unfamiliar word.

c)

Context clues should be simple enough for the reader to understand any unfamiliar word. They will use little to none of their thinking skills.

d)

Context clues are used by the author to help readers to understand what the sentence as a whole means.

17.

Below you will find statements with a specific word in quotes. The context clues in these sentences should help define the underlined word. Note that each statement is an example of a certain type of context clue. Which of following examples can Synonym be applied to?

a)

Coyotes, black bears and bobcats are all 'forest animals.'

b)

George was one of my best friends outside of football but quickly became the 'antagonist' during our football game.

c)

Jason felt 'guilt', or shame, for his actions during the football game.

d)

Jason had trouble deciding what form of 'transportation' to use for his trip. His choices included bus, train, car, or plane.

18.

Below you will find statements with a specific word in quotes. The context clues in these sentences should help define the word. Note that each statement is an example of a certain type of context clue. To which of the following examples can Direct Definition be applied?

a)

Jason is a 'talented' athlete, he always makes the soccer team.

b)

Some people are 'happy', while others are upset.

c)

The class, or 'course', the teacher taught was spanish.

d)

Jason made sure to 'whisper'. He knew his voice had to be very quiet when talking in the library.

19.

Which of the following sentences is an example of an antonym context clue for the word nervous?

a)

Although James was 'nervous' about the exam, Brandi was not worried.

b)

James knew that being nervous, tense, and uneasy were all feelings he'd feel about taking his exam.

c)

James was nervous, or tense, about his exam.

d)

James was nervous about his exam, which meant he felt uneasy about it.

20.

Dan did not enjoy his job as a dishwasher. Is was monotonous work, doing the same thing over and over.


The word monotonous means:

a)

inspiring

b)

disgusting

c)

boring

d)

spiritual

21.

My brother said, “I just freed myself from a very loquacious history professor. All he seemed to want was an audience.”


What does the word Loquacious mean:

a)

worried

b)

Sad

c)

talkative

d)

arrogant

22.

Most of America's Founding Fathers did not believe in women's suffrage. Only men could vote in the United states until 1920.


What is “suffrage” ?

a)

something that causes physical pain

b)

an early flag

c)

skirts that did not cover ankles

d)

the right to vote

23.

No matter where you go, the Internet is following you. Almost every portable device is being made with an Internet connection. Most new TVs and many other appliances come with Internet connections as well. The Internet is truly ubiquitous


If something is ubiquitous, __________.

a)

it is fuzzy and will bite you

b)

it is everywhere

c)

it costs too much money

d)

it causes rashes

24.

"Doctors recommend that everyone exercise every day, particularly those who spend many hours doing SEDENTARY activities like reading, watching television, or playing video games." Which of the following correctly defines the meaning of the word SEDENTARY?

a)

To spend much time seated.

b)

To engage in criminal activity.

c)

To spend time using minimal brain function.

d)

To engage in physical activity.

25.
What is a synonym?
a)
A word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase
b)
A word opposite in meaning to another
26.
What is an antonym?
a)
A word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase
b)
A word opposite in meaning to another 
27.
What is an inference clue?
a)
A clue where the definition is not explained; you need to look for clues before or after the sentences
b)
A clue where the word's meaning is explained in the sentence
c)
A clue where an example of the word is given following the sentence or within the sentence
28.

What type of context clue is underlined in the following sentence?


Celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, and stars are part of our solar system.

a)

definition

b)

example

c)

antonym

d)

inference

29.

What type of context clue is underlined in the following sentence?


The mountain pass was a tortuous road, winding and twisting like a snake around the trees of the mountainside.

a)

inference

b)

definition

c)

synonym

d)

antonym

30.

What type of context clue is underlined in the following sentence?


When the light brightens, the pupils of the eyes contract; however, when it grows darker, they dilate.

a)

definition

b)

inference

c)

antonym

d)

synonym

31.

When I observe my sister, I can't help but notice how savvy she is. Shrewd and clever, she always makes good decisions. I find her inspirational and when I am around her, I strive to be like her.


Which phrase from the passage provides context clues for the meaning of the word savvy?

a)

"When I observed my sister"

b)

"I find her"

c)

"Shrewd and clever"

d)

"as she is"

32.
Comparing something opposite is using what type of clues?
a)
Antonyms
b)
Synonyms
c)
Examples
d)
Definitions
33.
Telling what a word means within the sentence is an example of what type of context clue?
a)
Antonym
b)
Synonym
c)
Example
d)
Definition
34.
Violence, whether it is hitting, kicking, or punching, is not tolerated at school.
This uses which type of context clue?
a)
Antonym
b)
Synonym
c)
Example
d)
Definition
35.
We had so much fun at the party! Everyone had a terrific time.
This is an example of which type of context clue?
a)
Antonym
b)
Synonym
c)
Example
d)
Definition
36.
Mr. James wants us to be prompt in the mornings, not late.
Which type of context clue is used?
a)
Antonym
b)
Synonym
c)
Example
d)
Definition
37.
An Army uniform has symbols on it. These emblems show what the person has done in the Army.
What type of context clue is this?
a)
Antonym
b)
Synonym
c)
Example
d)
Definition
38.
Brianna was uncertain about the question, but she gave her answer as though she was sure of it.
Which type of context clue is used here?
a)
Antonym
b)
Synonym
c)
Example
d)
Definition
39.
Night is the time when many animals forage, or search, for food.
Which type of context clue is being used?
a)
Antonym
b)
Synonym
c)
Example
d)
Definition
40.
The store specializes in cutlery, such as forks and knives, that has unique designs.
Which type of context clue is being used?
a)
Antonym
b)
Synonym
c)
Example
d)
Definition
41.
What is an antonym?
a)
A word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase
b)
A word opposite in meaning to another