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Worksheets

Context Clues

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 20mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

"At a special ceremony, the police chief gave the officer a commendation for bravery." - What does the word "commendation" in this sentence?

a)

an object designed to bring good luck

b)

an award for an outstanding achievement

c)

a lecture

d)

a police station

2.

"Night is the time when many animals forage, or search, for food." - What does the word "forage" mean in this sentence?

a)

sleep

b)

come out at night

c)

search for food

d)

forgettable

3.

"My sister loathes broccoli, but she loves spinach." - what does the word "loathes" mean in this sentence?

a)

extreme love of something

b)

eats eagerly

c)

prepares or cooks

d)

extreme dislike

4.

"Although I was unable to understand all of the details of the presentation, I did get the gist of it." - What does the word "gist" mean in this sentence?

a)

humor

b)

main point

c)

notes

d)

jokes

5.

"Because there was so little precipitation this year, the crops dried up and died." - what does the word "precipitation" mean in this sentence?

a)

fertilizer

b)

planting

c)

rain

d)

plants

6.

"Children tend to gorge themselves on candy, so it is a good idea to limit them one or two small pieces each day." - What does the word "gorge" mean?

a)

to go or visit often

b)

to stuff with food, eat greedily

c)

to destroy completely

d)

to keep in custody

7.

"Telemarketers frequently antagonize people with their calls. As a result, many people say rude things to them or hang up on them." - What does the word "antagonize" mean?

a)

to give or pay out funds

b)

to provoke anger or hostility

c)

to stray from the main subject

d)

to call on the phone

8.

"The water pipe is weak and may rupture. To avoid a flood in the basement, the pipe should be replaced as soon a possible." - What is the meaning of "rupture"?

a)

to live in

b)

to destroy completely

c)

to go or visit often

d)

to break open, to burst

9.

"The airport police are authorized to detain anyone they suspect of smuggling. If the police do not find any illegal substances or objects, they release the person." - What does the word "detain" mean?

a)

to keep in custody or temporary confinement

b)

to destroy completely

c)

to remove an attorney from the legal profession

d)

to go or visit often

10.

The soldiers plan to use explosives to annihilate the enemy's headquarters." - What does the word "annihilate?"

a)

to destroy completely

b)

to give or pay out funds

c)

to stray from the main subject

d)

to break open

11.

"The president of the company felt so despondent over its bankruptcy that he went into a deep depression." What does the word despondent mean in this sentence?

a)

surprised and delighted

b)

excited

c)

sad and hopeless

d)

exhausted and weary

12.

"My brother is absolutely tenacious. For example, when he sets a goal for himself, he doesn't let anything stop him from achieving it." What does the word tenacious mean in this sentence

a)

silly and unreasonable

b)

stubborn; refusing to give up

c)

well-liked by others

d)

always seeking help from others

13.

"South African leader Nelson Mandela is a magnanimous man who is respected worldwide for his courageous, lifelong effort on behalf of human rights." What does the word magnanimous mean? *

a)

bitter and angry

b)

wealthy and affluent

c)

noble in mind and heart

d)

unsuccessful

14.

"The captain of the pep squad is vivacious when she performs, but the rest of the time she is calm and low-key." What does the word vivacious mean?

a)

lively, high spirited

b)

relaxed and easy-going

c)

sad, unhappy

d)

bored

15.

"The aging actor is fastidious about her appearance: her clothes are beautifully tailored, her hair and make-up are flawless, and she is always perfectly groomed." What does fastidious mean?

a)

careless, uncaring

b)

unable to take care of

c)

having a sense of humor

d)

extremely careful about

16.

"Speaking rudely to the judges was rash behavior. You really hurt your chances of winning!" - what does the word “rash” mean in this sentence?

a)

an itchy skin condition

b)

trying to hide or disguise a piece of cheese

c)

funny

d)

without little thought or consideration

17.

"Most of America's Founding Fathers did not believe in women's suffrage. Only men could vote in the United States until 1920." - what does the word “suffrage” mean in this sentence?

a)

something that causes physical pain

b)

an early flag

c)

skirts that did not cover ankles

d)

the right to vote

18.

As the summer sun sent scattered rays through the maple and oak leaves overhead, the young deer stood frozen, making it almost impossible for the hikers to see her." In the above passage, the word “frozen” means _______.

a)

not melted

b)

visible

c)

Elsa super power

d)

not moving

19.

"Fortunately, the explosion diverted the asteroid from a course that would have sent it hurdling into our planet." To divert is to _______.

a)

change the direction of

b)

look for really high waves

c)

jump into a dry river

d)

look through a telescope

20.

"No word must ever leak out about this military action! It has to be a clandestine operation in order to succeed."- Which word is a synonym of "clandestine"?

a)

family

b)

useful

c)

dangerous

d)

secret