Context clues 1
Maya felt relieved when the loud thunderstorm finally stopped and the sky became calm again.
Context clue: The storm stopped and things became calm.
Meaning: Relieved = feeling better after worry or stress goes away.
The magician created an illusion, making it seem like he disappeared even though he was still on stage.
Context clue: Looked like he disappeared but didn’t.
Meaning: Illusion = something that tricks your eyes or mind.
The teacher gave a complex problem that required many steps instead of one easy answer.
Context clue: required many steps
Meaning: Complex = complicated.
After studying all night, Maria said she was running on empty because she was extremely tired.
Context clue: extremely tired after studying all night
Literal meaning: Running on empty = having no energy left.
The coach told the team to shake it off after the loss and focus on the next game.
Context clue: move on after losing
Literal meaning: Shake it off = stop thinking about something upsetting.
The teacher gave a brief explanation, so the lesson only lasted a few minutes.
Context clue: The lesson lasted only a few minutes.
Meaning: Brief = short.
The hikers followed a narrow trail that was so small only one person could walk at a time.
Context clue: Only one person could walk at once.
Meaning: Narrow = not wide.
The class worked together to construct a bridge made out of Legos, carefully building it piece by piece.
Context clue: building it piece by piece
Meaning: Construct = to build.
During the argument, Maya told her friend to cool down because she was getting very angry.
Context clue: getting very angry
Literal meaning: Cool down = calm down.
When the teacher called on him unexpectedly, Noah was caught off guard and needed a moment to think.
Context clue: unexpected and needing time to think
Literal meaning: Caught off guard = surprised or unprepared.
The crowd grew restless during the long wait and began shifting in their seats and talking loudly.
Context clue: People shifted and talked because of waiting.
Meaning: Restless = unable to stay still or calm.
The teacher asked students to observe the plant closely and notice how its leaves changed over time.
Context clue: Watch closely and notice changes.
Meaning: Observe = to watch carefully
The character in the book faced a dilemma, needing to choose between helping a friend or following the rules.
Context clue: choose between two things
Meaning: Dilemma = a difficult choice.
After practicing for weeks, Jason finally nailed it and performed perfectly at the recital.
Context clue: performed perfectly
Literal meaning: Nailed it = did something very well.
When the team started arguing, their coach said they needed to get on the same page if they wanted to win.
Context clue: arguing and needing to work together
Literal meaning: Get on the same page = agree or work together.
Sara’s room was cluttered, with toys, books, and clothes scattered all over the floor.
Context clue: Items scattered everywhere.
Meaning: Cluttered = messy or crowded with things.
The twins had contrasting personalities; one was loud and outgoing while the other was quiet and shy.
Context clue: loud vs quiet
Meaning: Contrasting = very different.
The directions were ambiguous, so students were unsure what they were supposed to do.
Context clue: students were unsure
Meaning: Ambiguous = unclear or confusing.
The teacher said the class needed to step up their game if they wanted better test scores.
Context clue: wanting better test scores
Literal meaning: Step up your game = try harder or improve effort.
After forgetting his lines on stage, Marcus wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear from embarrassment.
Context clue: felt embarrassed after forgetting lines
Literal meaning: Crawl into a hole = want to hide due to embarrassment.
The coach gave a stern warning, speaking in a serious voice that showed he was not joking.
Context clue: Serious voice and not joking.
Meaning: Stern = strict or serious.
The author used precise language, so readers understood exactly what she meant.
Context clue: understood exactly
Meaning: Precise = exact and specific.
After failing several times, she showed resilience by continuing to try and not giving up.
Context clue: continuing to try and not giving up
Meaning: Resilience = ability to keep going after difficulty.
Olivia felt like she was walking on sunshine after receiving good news.
Context clue: happy after good news
Literal meaning: Walking on sunshine = feeling very happy.
During the debate, Ethan refused to back down, continuing to defend his opinion confidently.
Context clue: continued defending his opinion
Literal meaning: Back down = stop or give up.