Context Clues
Which word means PUNCTURE when it refers to how a porcupine uses its quills?
a. tickle
b. pierce
c. tickle
d. confuse
b. pierce
breakfast is to meal as crib is to
a. mother b. bed
b. bed
The custom at many Chinese weddings is for the bride to wear a qipao, a red silk dress with elaborate gold embroidery. What does custom mean here?
What words share the meaning of the root: LOOK.
spectator substandard subclass
spectacles submarine spectacular
spectator, spectacles, spectacular
What does the verbal irony in this text suggest?
For spring allergy sufferers, the botanical garden is as pleasant as a traffic jam.
In 2015, NASA released an incredible picture of the solar eclipse in which Venus was passing in front of the sun. Choose the meaning of the word incredible.
a. fake. b. deliciousc. imaginary d. amazing
d. amazing
chef is to knife as farmer is to
Preparing a budget can be an effective way to monitor your finances, track your expenses, and help you save money. What does monitor mean here?
a. monitor (noun) a computer's display or screen
b. monitor (verb) to watch carefully
b. monitor verb to watch carefully
Look at the roots below. Which one means life?
c. bio
What does the verbal irony in this text suggest?
After a jog around the block, Pam collapsed on the couch and declared with a wheeze, "Well, I'm ready to run a marathon."
a. Pam was out of shape.
b. Pam felt full of energy
a. Pam was out of shape.
On December 29, 1955, Minnie Mangum was arrested for embezzling about three million dollars. What is the synonym for embezzling?
a. borrowing cash from friends
b. losing money by gambling
c. stealing from the workplace
d. printing fake bills
c. stealing from the workplace
tentacle is to octopus as leg is to
a. arm b. antelope c. body
b. antelope
"The flavor of the spaghetti sauce is sensational!" Mrs. Bradshaw told her husband. "What did you use to season it?" What does the word season mean?
a. season (verb) to add salt, pepper, or spices to a food
b. season (noun) a period of the year characterized by a certain weather pattern
a. season (verb) to add salt, pepper, or spices to a food
Look at the roots below. Which one means shape?
a. morph b. flex c. rupt
a. morph
What does the hyperbole in this text suggest?
Last August, you could fry an egg on the sidewalk in Austin.
a. Austin was extremely hot last August.
b. It is no longer possible to fry an egg on the sidewalk in Austin.
a. Austin was extremely hot last August.
Wasps come in myriad colors, everything from the familiar yellow-and-black to metallic blue. What does myriad mean?
countless, endless, infinite, multiple
uncertainty is to hesitation as error is to
a. regret b. amusement c. success
a. regret
"The right accessory can make or break your outfit," the saleswoman at the boutique told Betty. What does accessory mean?
a. accessory (noun) an item used to enhance beauty or usefulness
b. accessory (noun) a person who helps another person commit a crime
a. accessory (noun) an item used to enhance beauty or usefulness
Which words share the Greek or Latin root meaning: ABOVE; BEYOND
literary hyperactive literal hyperthermia hyperbole hypercritical
hyperactive, hyperthermia, hyperbole, hypercritical
What does the idiom in this text suggest?
Cell phones once cost an arm and a leg, but today the majority of people can afford them.
"My father enjoys the most puerile slapstick comedies," Devon complained to her friend, Suzie, with an eyeroll and a sigh. "My tastes are more like my mom's; we tend to prefer more mature dramas."
What word below is the antonym for puerile?
d. mature
doctor is to stethoscope as navigator is to
a. discovery b. direction c. compass
c. compass
After Seth finishes college, he hopes to find a job on the East Coast and settle there. What does settle mean?
Submit
Which words share the Greek or Latin root meaning: DEATH
mortuary paradigm parameter
parasite mortal parallel
mortal, mortuary
What does the personification in this text suggest?
The trawler plunged into the angry swells of the dark, furious sea.
—Robert Ludlum, The Bourne Identity