Context Clues
The pudgy baby panda bear looked chubby and round.
What does pudgy mean?
a. plump b. thin c. black and white
plump
Bats are mammals. They are not birds. Bats have fur, and they are warm blooded like other mammals. They are the only mammals that can fly.
What is the main idea?
Bats are mammals.
The phone rang, and Kaite's mom picked it up. She listened for a few seconds and then said, "I'll be there right away." She hung up the phone and turned to Katie. "Katie", she said. "Get your coat. Your dad missed the bus home from work."
What probably happened next?
Katie and her mom went in the car to pick up Katie's dad from work.
James was worried about the science test. He knew he would have to hit the books to do well.
What does hit the books mean?
a. to be happy
b. to visit the library
c. to study hard
to study hard
Nia got dressed for school and checked to see that she had put her homework in her backpack. Then she looked out the window. "Wow!" she cried. She ran to the kitchen. "Did you see the snow, Mom?" It must be a foot deep!" I know", said Mom. "I was just listening to the news. You should probably go and change into your play clothes."
Why do you think mom told Nia to change into her play clothes?
Mom listened to the news, and it said that there was no school.
The little boy was fascinated by the model train set. Even when the rest of his family moved on, he remained staring intently at the tiny tracks.
What does fascinated mean?
a. attracted to b. forgetful c. depressed by
attracted to
Pam went to the circus. She had so much fun. Pam liked the clowns the best. She would love to be a clown. Pam likes to make people laugh.
What is the main idea?
Pam likes clowns.
"Do you want me to quiz you?” Paulina’s mom asked. “I don’t know,” Paulina mumbled. “I went through the list three times last night. I think I can spell all the words.” “Better safe than sorry,” Paulina’s mom said. “You have plenty of time before the bus comes. You don’t want to be nervous later in the day, do you?” Paulina shrugged and handed her word list to her mom.
What do you think will happen next?
After the principal heard kids playing in the bathroom, we knew they would be in hot water.
What does be in hot water mean?
a. to have a warm bath
b. to be given an award
c. to be in trouble
to be in trouble
Haylee looked up at the sky. This was her favorite part. All of the bright colors appeared like magical explosions, one at a time all over the sky. The noise frightened her sister, and she held her hand to calm her and show her how beautiful it was.
What is Haylee watching? What time of day do you think it is? What holiday do you think it is?
Fireworks. Nighttime. New Year's Eve or July 4th
Regina remembered when she had just two pairs of shoes. Now, her closet holds a plethora of shoes in almost every color and every style.
What does plethora mean?
a. small size b. great amount c. reduction
great amount
Dogs are good pets. Many dogs like to play with toys. Dogs can also do tricks. They like to go for walks. You can take a dog to a park.
What is the main idea?
Dogs make good pets.
Mrs. Lopez handed out copies of the test. Danny hadn't studied for it. He didn't think that he needed to. It had been his birthday last week and he was counting on his birthday wish to come true. Danny's wish had been that he would get straight "A's" on his next report card.
What might happen next?
He will fail the test and probably won't get good grades on his next report card.
Even though Mr. Russel warned the class that hamster can bite, Rachel put her finger in the cage. She had to learn the hard way.
What does learn the hard way mean?
a. to learn from a book
b. to learn from a bad experience
c. to learn from watching someone
to learn from a bad experience
As she looked into her basket, Sarah realized she had forgotten to get the carrot. She took off her mittens and went to the cabinet to get one. She would also need to find two sticks when she got outside.
What season do you think it is? What is Sarah going to do?
Winter; She is going to make a snowman.
Erica ran the marathon and felt lethargic afterwards.
What does lethargic mean?
a. happy b. energetic c. tired
tired
Sam will have a birthday party soon. His friends will come to his party. They will eat cake. They will play outside. It will be fun.
What is the main idea?
Sam is going to have a birthday party.
The Wilsons were enjoying a family picnic in the park. They had just finished their delicious lunch when the sky began to grow dark. They were looking forward to dessert when they heard a loud boom.
What might happen next?
My dad had a difficult childhood. He said that everything he knew he learned from the University of Life.
What does University of Life mean?
a. to learn from experience
b. to learn things in college
c. to learn from an online course
to learn from experience
Pam’s eyes fluttered awake. She stretched and wondered when she had dozed off. Then she realized what had woken her – a loud beeping noise and a funny smell. “Oh no! The cookies!” she yelled.
What do you think happened?
What was the sound that woke Pam up?
What was the smell?
Pam burned the cookies. The sound was the fire alarm. The smell was the burning smell.
Tim was irate that they lost the game, but he took a deep breath and then he felt better.
What does irate mean?
a. happy b. sad c. mad
Mad
Bears like to eat honey. They look for honey in trees. They climb the trees to find honey. They love honey because it is sweet. Bears love to find honey.
What is the main idea?
Bears like honey.
Natalie got up in the middle of the night to get a snack of milk and cookies. Natalie remembered to put the lid back on the cookie jar, but she forgot to put the milk carton back in the refridgeator.
What might happen next?
The milk will go bad. Then the milk will have to be thrown out.
Keisha wanted to do well on the spelling test. She knew that if she passed with flying colors, she might make the spelling bee team.
What does passed with flying colors mean?
a. to pass a pilot's exam
b. to get a high test score
c. to know the names of many colors
to get a high test score
The paper felt like magic in Asher’s hands. He put on his favorite shirt – the one with the guitar on it. He had been listening to his favorite songs all week, so he’d know all the words for tonight. He couldn’t wait to see everyone dancing and hear the blaring from the stage. It was going to be an unforgettable night!
Where is Asher going? What is he holding in his hand? How does he feel about it?