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Context Clues

Total questions: 40

Worksheet time: 1hrs 10mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
Slavery was abolished in the U.S. after the Civil War.
a)
outlawed
b)
exchanged
c)
running
d)
common
2.
Typewriters became obsolete with the development of personal computers.
a)
popular
b)
out-dated
c)
careful
d)
round
3.
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.
4.
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
5.
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
6.
Marcia is a novice soccer player. It is her first day of practice.
a)
skilled
b)
beginner
c)
professional
7.
"The merchant ignored the peasant's words. "I hope you enjoy your reward," he said. "Thank you again and good-bye." He quickly departed.

Which word or words help the reader understand the meaning of the word departed?
a)
hope you enjoy your reward
b)
ignored the peasant's words
c)
Thank you again
d)
good-bye
8.
I looked at the bottom of the tin. The price was $2.98. This presented a slight problem. You see, Mom had bought Harry and Marshall a potted plant to apologize for my bike tracks in their new driveway. She and Dad were withholding my allowance until the plant was paid for. I knew that there was no point in asking them for the money.
What is the meaning of the word withholding ?
a)
Increasing in amount
b)
Punishing harshly
c)
Refusing to give
d)
Using as one's property
9.
"Brody, I gave you a map so you could teach your team how to navigate around the ship," the captain said. "If you had followed orders, you would have had no problem responding quickly. 
Which words help the reader know what the word navigate means?
a)
to participate in
b)
around the ship
c)
had no problem
d)
teach your team
10.
As silly putty became more common in households, people took notice of its unique properties. It is pullable when pressed slowly but stiffens when pressure is applied quickly. So it can be squished by hand, but it remains in a ball when bounced off the floor.
What is the meaning of the word properties in?
a)
Creators
b)
Solutions
c)
Qualities
d)
Customers
11.
At last, the weary carver puts down his tools. He is ready for a crane to lift the new pole. He thinks back to the stories his grandfather told him of the first pole raising. The workers groans rippled like a chorus of bears; sweat beaded on their backs.
What does the word weary mean in the above text?
a)
amused
b)
confused
c)
worried
d)
tired
12.
Most roads were dirt paths that had been used mainly for horse-drawn carriages. In remote areas where roads did not exist at all, Jackson drove through muddy cow pastures and even over mountains.
What does the word remote mean?
a)
Lacking tourist attractions
b)
Far from populated areas
c)
Difficult to see from a distance
d)
Familiar to a particular group of people
13.
The wood frog's ability to freeze its body is vital to its survival. The wood frog can live in extreme climates from the Appalachian Mountains, across much of Canada, and into Alaska.
What is the meaning of the word vital?
a)
Fortunate
b)
Common
c)
Necessary
d)
Permanent
14.
LEGO creates building sets for children of all ages. These sets contain intricate parts that are more detailed and challenging to put together.
Which of the following words from the paragraph help the reader understand the meaning of intricate?
a)
detailed and challenging
b)
larger and easier
c)
is understandable
d)
different-shaped
15.
Amazingly, Great Basin Bristlecone  seem to thrive in the gravelly soil of the White Mountains. The ground contains little water, and the area is often battered by strong winds. Such conditions can damage and even kill other types of trees and plants, but the bristlecons grow well in this environment.
Which words from the paragraph helps the reader understand the meaning of thrive?
a)
contains little water
b)
can damage
c)
battered by strong winds
d)
grow well
16.
"Which trousers? What shirt? Which socks, what shoes?" Bartholomew just wasn't able to choose. Completely confounded , he'd settle once more on what he had chosen the morning before. He'd go down to the breakfast( a little bit smelly), and try to decide what to put in his belly. Two fried eggs and bacon? Some cinnamon bread? He'd end up with yesterday's oatmeal instead.
Which of these lines from the poem helps the reader know what the word confounded means?
a)
Bartholomew just wan't able to choose
b)
He'd go down to breakfast (a little bit smelly)
c)
He'd end up with yesterday's oatmeal instead
17.
Grandpa didn't know that is was going to rain on the fishing trip, and now he had to alter his plans.
a)
continue
b)
change
c)
help
d)
swim
18.
We seldom go to sleep before 10 PM because we always have a lot of homework due the next day.
a)
rarely
b)
always
c)
try to
d)
hate
19.
Jimmy was reluctant to ride the roller coaster because he was scared.
a)
unwilling
b)
helpful
c)
happy
d)
excited
20.
I meandered through the mall taking my time looking at all the clothes in the windows.
a)
hurried
b)
ran
c)
wandered
d)
jogged
21.
The lanky dog was not fat, even though he ate a lot.
a)
skinny
b)
furry
c)
huge
d)
friendly
22.
Grandpa was in a jovial mood, making jokes and laughing at everything. 
a)
crazy
b)
happy
c)
irritable
d)
angry
23.
"The judge issued an injunction that ordered the accused criminal to remain under house arrest." what is the best synonym for "injunction?"
a)
official command
b)
question
c)
crime
d)
guilty verdict
24.
"While the people of Guilder were forced to read propaganda, the citizens of Florin were able to read honest, fact-based news reporting." In this example, the word "propaganda" can be defined through:
a)
homophones
b)
homonyms
c)
synonyms
d)
antonyms
25.
"Unlike the other candidates, who stammered and stuttered through their speeches, Lilli was eloquent." What is the best definition of "eloquent?"
a)
well-spoken
b)
musical
c)
quick witted
d)
intelligent
26.
"We accept $10 bills, $20 bills, and any other denomination you might have." What does "denomination" mean in this context?
a)
credit card
b)
value of money
c)
loan
d)
form of currency
27.
"Voldemort was a malevolent force in the world -- cruel, violent, and evil." In the previous sentence, you can define the word "malevolent" through the use of:
a)
antonyms
b)
synonyms
c)
homonyms
d)
homophones
28.
Imperialism flourished in the 19th century, as the British took control of India and Belgium seized the Congo." What does "imperialism" mean?
a)
When one country declares war on another
b)
When two countries form a partnership
c)
When a country declares its independence
d)
When one country takes over another
29.
The words "climatic" and "climactic" have similar ___ but different ___.
a)
sounds; meanings
b)
synonyms; antonyms
c)
spellings; sounds
d)
meanings; spellings
30.
"King Max was known for his benevolence. He was said to be the ___, gentlest, and most generous man in the kingdom." what word might fit in the blank?
a)
happiest
b)
richest
c)
handomest
d)
nicest
31.
"The performers diverted the guests with a variety of jokes and songs." What's an antonym for "diverted?"
a)
entertained
b)
bored
c)
satisfied
d)
punctured
32.
Some people hunt for lost coins on beaches using an apparatus called a metal detector. It has a long stem that ends in a circular part called a search head, which hovers just over the ground. When it passes over metal, it makes a sound. 
a)
process
b)
machine
c)
services
d)
hovel
33.
John was bewildered when he saw the math teacher writing letters on the board that were to be added and subtracted. "Aren't letters for reading class?" John thought to himself.
a)
unprepared
b)
excited
c)
confused
d)
depressed
34.
After receiving just a single slice of pizza at the party, Kevin was disappointed. He had hoped for a more substantial portion.           
a)
of a good size
b)
tasiter
c)
hotter
d)
of little importance
35.
Suzie's mother taught her to never let anyone degrade her, so now she demands respect in all of her relationships.
a)
to lower someone's value
b)
to treat respectfully
c)
to hug
d)
to invite
36.
If we use the red napkins, my mom will be happy but my dad will be discontent.
a)
no text
b)
unhappy
c)
not mad
d)
no feelings
37.
Alice finally threw the withering roses away when a dead petal fell into her cereal bowl.  
a)
to bloom
b)
to shrivel or dry up
c)
smelly
d)
beautiful 
38.
 John had seen horror movies before, but when he saw Bloodcore 6, he was so appalled by the bloodshed that he wrote the newspapers warning parents not to allow their children to see this movie.
a)
shocked by something unpleasant
b)
excited by something unpleasant
c)
intense
d)
extreme
39.
Ladies, please stop the name calling. There is no reason to act uncivil. Let's discuss the problem.
a)
nice
b)
upset
c)
caring
d)
impolite
40.
Dan did not enjoy his job as a dishwasher. It was monotonous work, doing the same thing over and over 
a)
inspiring
b)
disgusting
c)
boring
d)
dangerous