Rules
What is context clues?
Context clues are hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that a reader can use to understand the meanings of new or unfamiliar words.
After a long and dangerous chase, the city police finally apprehended the car thief.
What does the word apprehended mean?
A) punished
B) caught
B) Caught
When our Social Studies class visited the city museum, we saw many ancient Egyptian artifacts.
What does the word artifact mean?
A) places
B) objects
B) objects
Jenny attempted to hide the vase she broke, but her nosy little brother thwarted her plan.
What does the word thwarted mean?
A) confused
B) stopped
B) stopped
What is the FIRST step when trying to figure out what a word means?
circle the unknown word
The transition from middle school to high school can be very challenging.
What does the word transition mean?
A) change
B) time
C) excitement
A) change
When Ally came home two hours late, her parents went into a two hour tirade.
What does the word tirade mean?
A) punishment
B) angry speech
C) complaint
B) angry speech
Luke surpassed all of his peers on the state test, so the teacher gave him a cookie.
What does the word surpassed mean?
A) be better than
B) be worse than
C) cheated
A) be better than
What is the SECOND step when trying to figure out what a word means?
Connect with what you know. Look for anything familiar or you think you know. underline it
The coach told the players, “It’s imperative that you do your very best at tonight’s game.”
What does the word imperative mean?
A) clear
B) important
C) recommended
D) cool
B) important
With her blue hair, facial piercings, and handmade clothes, she could certainly be described as eccentric.
What does the word eccentric mean?
A) strange
B) upsetting
C) revolting
D) annoying
A) strange
The artist meticulously painted the tiny details in his painting.
What does the word meticulously mean?
A) perfectly
B) knowingly
C) carefully
D) interesting
C) carefully
What is the THIRD step when trying to figure out what a word means?
Predict what it might mean. Make a guess!
I couldn’t figure out how to work the sophisticated machine.
What does the word sophisticated mean?
complex / fancy / advanced
He winced in pain, and his eyes watered, when he stubbed his toe.
What does the word winced mean?
flinched / squinted
I let my best friend pick out all my clothes when we go shopping, because she has impeccable taste.
What does the word impeccable mean?
perfect / great / amazing
What is the FINAL step when trying to figure out what a word means?
Re-read the sentence with your prediction and make sure it makes sense!
Winter weather can be capricious; one minute it’s 70 degrees, and the next it’s snowing.
What does the word capricious mean?
unpredictable
Judging by their enormous house and shiny car, I could tell the couple was affluent.
What does the word affluent mean?
wealthy / rich / with money
Please give me your most candid advice. I really trust your judgment.
What does the word candid mean?
honest / truthful