Context Clues - 4th/5th Grade Level

A

100

After Lily left home for college, her dad tried to sell the computer games she was entertained with when she was little.  The word ENTERTAIN means: a) too easy b) enjoyable c) boring

b) enjoyable

200

Mrs. Jones was nervous about sky diving from an airplane. She had never done it before. Her daughter said it is very thrilling. What does THRILLING mean? a) exciting b) boring c) horrifying 

a) exciting

300

The meadow was full of wildflowers. There were not many large plants, and tress were SPARSE. What does SPARSE mean? a) many b) few c) large

b) few

400

The artist had used VIVID colors in the painting, which made it stand out in the otherwise drab room. What does VIVID mean? a) dull b) tinted c) bright

c) bright

500

Movies often include chase scenes so that viewers feel jolts, or bursts of excitement.. What does JOLTS mean? a) slow movements b) movable c) strong movements

c) strong movements

B

100

The children danced to the music with merry JUBILATION. What does JUBILATION mean? a) delight b) distress c) surprise

a) delight

200

The substitute teacher felt EXASPERATED because she could not get the students to stop talking and listen. What does EXASPERATED mean? a) lonely b) frustrated c) depressed

b) frustrated

300

Arnold approached the snake CAUTIOUSLY. He thought it was dead, but he didn't know for sure. What does CAUTIOUSLY mean? a) quickly b) carefully c) carelessly

b) carefully

400

Susie could smell the AROMA of freshly baking bread as soon as she walked into the kitchen. What does AROMA mean? a) scent b) sound c) stink

a) scent

500

Sometimes a movie's success is generated or created, mainly by word of mouth. What does GENERATED mean? a) lack of b) produced c) paid

b. produced

C

100

On a clear night, a full moon is bright. What word would be a synonym for bright? a) dull b) luminous c) faded

c) luminous

200

The full moon ILLUMINATED the sky so much that we did not need our flashlights. What would be a synonym for ILLUMINATED? a) lit b) darkened c) filled

a) lit

300

Even though Paul was excited about the project, he wanted the other kids to think he was cool, so he answered the teacher's question in a NONCHALANT tone. What would be a synonym for NONCHALANT? a) relaxed b) enthusiastic c) angry

a) relaxed

400

Mrs. Olsen used to love to play the piano. But since she started to lose her hearing, she SELDOM plays anymore. What would be a synonym for SELDOM? a) often b) usually c) rarely

c) rarely

500

Tanya's mother drives slowly when she gets close to the school and is careful to watch for PEDESTRIANS. What would be a synonym for PEDESTRIANS? a) people walking b) pretty scenery c) fruit stands

a) people walking

D

400

Denise stared at the IMMENSE pile of laundry and wondered how her children could go through so many clothes in a week. What would be a synonym for IMMENSE?

Some synonyms for IMMENSE would be, "big, large, massive, huge, overwhelming, enormous".

500

Tamara was shocked when she learned about the SENSELESS killing of thousands of buffalos by settlers in the early 1800's. What does SENSELESS mean?

SENSELESS means without meaning; meaningless. To have no purpose.

E

100

Julia wasn't sure exactly what time they would arrive, but she thought the APPROXIMATE time would be around 5:00. What does APPROXIMATE mean? Give the context clues you used in the sentence to determine the meaning. a) estimated b) unknown c) exact

a) estimated Clues --- wasn't sure exactly, thought, around

200

Dad thought the spaghetti sauce was too BLAND, so he added more garlic. What does BLAND mean? Give the context clues from the sentence that helped you determine the meaning. a) salty b) spicy c) mild

c) mild Clues -- added more garlic

300

The black plague swept through Europe in the Middle Ages killing millions of people. In some villages, half the population PERISHED. What does PERISHED mean? Give the context clues from the sentences that helped you determine the meaning. a) got sick b) died c) escaped

b) died Clues -- killing, people, population

400

That movie had an INTENSE effect on me. I could not stop thinking about it! What does INTENSE mean? Give the context clues from the sentences that helped you determine the meaning. a) powerful b) mild c bad

a) powerful Clues -- not stop thinking about it

500

Angela knew that there were NUMEROUS reasons why she should take the job, but she just did not want it. What does NUMEROUS mean? Give the context clues from the sentence that helped you determine the meaning. a) a few b) many c) none

b) many Clues -- reasons why