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 movie editor worked carefully on each transition between scenes to make the film flow smoothly.
What word can replace transition in this sentence?
A. change
B. connection
C. excitement
D. camera
CONNECTION
When Ally came home two hours late, her parents went into a two hour tirade.
What word can replace tirade in this sentence?
A. punishment
B. angry speech
C. complaint
D. discussion
B) angry speech
Read the sentence.
Maria's fundraising efforts surpassed the original goal by raising twice as much money.
What word can replace surpassed in this sentence?
A. reached
B. missed
C. exceeded
D. ignored
EXCEEDED
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
Read the sentence.
The coach told the players, "It's imperative that you do your very best at tonight's game."
The word imperative has multiple meanings. What does imperative most likely suggest about the coach's message?
A. He was giving a grammar lesson
B. He was emphasizing something very important
C. He was making a casual suggestion
B) He was emphasizing something very important
Read the sentence.
With her odd blue hair, facial piercings, and handmade clothes, she could certainly be described as eccentric.
The word eccentric has multiple meanings. What does eccentric most likely suggest about her appearance?
A. She had an unusual but distinctive style
B. She looked disturbing to others
C. She was trying to annoy people
A) She had an unusual but distinctive style
Read the sentence.
The artist meticulously painted the tiny details in his painting.
The word meticulously has multiple meanings. What does meticulously most likely suggest about how the artist worked?
A. He painted without any planning
B. He worked with great attention to detail
C. He finished the painting quickly
B. He worked with great attention to detail
What is the THIRD step when trying to figure out what a word means?
Predict what it might mean. Make a guess!
Read the sentences.
Tom walked into the computer lab and looked at the new equipment. He couldn't figure out how to work the sophisticated machine while his classmates used it easily.
What effect does the author create by using the word sophisticated?
A. It shows the machine was much more complex than Tom could handle
B. It shows the equipment cost a lot of money
C. It suggests the machine was not working properly
A. It shows the machine was much more complex than Tom could handle
Read the sentences.
The nurse came over with a big needle for the shot. Even though he tried to stay calm, the patient winced as soon as he saw it.
What effect does the author create by using the word winced?
A. It shows the patient was being unreasonable about getting medical help
B. It suggests the nurse wasn't good at giving shots
C.It shows the patient's natural reaction to expecting pain
C.It shows the patient's natural reaction to expecting pain
Read the sentences.
Marcus had been putting off his history report for weeks, even though it was worth half his grade. On the night before it was due, he finally realized he could no longer procrastinate.
What effect does the author create by using the word procrastinate?
A. It shows that Marcus was a bad student
B. It suggests the teacher gave too much homework
C. It emphasizes how Marcus had been avoiding his important work
C. It emphasizes how Marcus had been avoiding his important work
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!
Read the sentences.
Lisa had worked hard all semester to maintain her perfect grades. When she saw that she received a B+ on her final exam, she felt devastated and worried about how it would affect her class rank.
Which statement best describes what the word devastated adds to the tone of these sentences?
A. It establishes a tone of overwhelming distress and crushed expectations
B. It creates a tone of mild disappointment about the grade
C. It develops a tone of anger toward the teacher's grading
A. It establishes a tone of overwhelming distress and crushed expectations
Read the sentences.
Tyler thought he had prepared well for the basketball tryouts and expected to make the team easily. When the coach posted the list and his name wasn't on it, Tyler tried to conceal his disappointment from his friends.
Which statement best describes what the word conceal adds to the tone of these sentences?
A. It creates a tone of pride in handling rejection well
B.It develops a tone of anger toward the coach's decision
C.It establishes a tone of hidden embarrassment and private pain
C.It establishes a tone of hidden embarrassment and private pain
Read the sentences.
Maya had always been shy about speaking in front of others, but she knew she had to give the presentation. As she stood before the class, she tried to suppress the nervous trembling in her voice.
Which statement best describes what the word suppress adds to the tone of these sentences?
A. It creates a tone of excitement about the presentation opportunity
B. It establishes a tone of internal struggle against overwhelming anxiety
C. It develops a tone of frustration with the assignment requirements
B. It establishes a tone of internal struggle against overwhelming anxiety