Definitions
What are context clues?
hints or clues in a sentence or paragraph that help you determine the meaning of an unknown word.
Name this type of context clue: Dad washed the exterior of the car before cleaning out the inside.
Antonym
It has been an extremely brutal summer with very hot temperatures.
Does brutal mean harsh, windy, gentle or pleasant?
harsh
Suzy was making jam. When she finished filling the jars and putting on the lids, she used paraffin to make sure no air would enter the jar.
Does paraffin mean juice from fruit, wax used for sealing, paper, or hot water?
wax used for sealing
Use context clues to determine the meaning of the mystery word: A lot of people think it is strange that I do not like malabling. On holidays, there is so much malabling around me but I don't touch it because I prefer sour candy. My brother loves it though. One time he left a piece of malabling in this pocket and it melted! The worst part is, he still ate it!
Chocolate
What is a synonym?
find another word in the sentence with the same meaning.
Name this type of context clue: Vital organs like your heart are essential to your survival.
Synonym
She offered a feeble excuse for her late work and they could tell that she wasn't telling the truth.
Does feeble mean truthful, excellent, weak or unhealthy?
weak
The fifty pound pumpkin was gargantuan in size.
Does gargantuan mean small, huge, average or colorful?
huge
Use context clues to determine the meaning of the mystery word: My mom makes me put on qualiwag when I go to the beach even though it always gets into my eyes and stings. She says it's better than getting a sunburn though and I guess she's right!
Sunscreen
What is an antonym?
find another word in the sentence with an opposite meaning.
Name this type of context clue: Many marsupials can be found in Australia, including kangaroos, koalas, and wallabies.
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.
Does alloy mean a type of plastic, a mixture of metals, a kind of sword or a kind of liquid?
mixture of metals
The garrulous boy rambled on continuously as he told his mother about his day at school.
Does garrulous mean talkative, secretive, crazy or quiet?
talkative
Use context clues to determine the meaning of the mystery word: Last summer, Maggie learned how to garbler when she went to the beach with her family. She paid for her own garblering lessons and she rented a garbler board and a wetsuit. It took her many tries but Maggie finally caught a wave and was standing up on her garbler board!
Surf
find a part of the sentence that explains the meaning of the word.
Name this type of context clue: In my confession I told Mom about everything I had done wrong.
Explanation
The continents are slowly drifting apart. Since they are not stationary, North and South America will one day separate entirely.
Does stationary mean paper to write letters, staying in one place, land or melting slowly?
staying in one place
The pointer stopped and quietly stared ahead when he heard the sound of the rabbit.
Does pointer mean teacher, to have a point in discussion, a hunting dog or to use a finger?
a hunting dog
Use context clues to determine the meaning of the mystery word: My favorite summer food is happlance. It is difficult to cut open because of the thick, green rind but once I do I can't help but devour the sweet, juicy chunks. I wish I could eat happlance all year round but I mainly see it in the grocery stores in the summertime.
Watermelon
What is an example?
find examples of the word in the sentence.
Name this type of context clue: There was a long hiatus in the television broadcast. This pause was caused by technical problems.
Synonym
They kept the horses in the livery while they were being watered and fed.
Does livery mean a house, stable, dark opening or a hay filled bucket?
stable
The mummies of Egypt are very old. So people think the Egyptians had special ways of embalming. Actually, it was the dry air that helped them preserve the dead.
Does embalming mean making pyramids, keeping the dead from decaying, keeping things alive or keeping things from smelling bad?
keeping the dead from decaying
Use context clues to determine the meaning of the mystery word: Last July, I went with my friends to our town celebration to watch the blastos. We had so much fun watching the bright explosions in the sky. However, my dog was scared of the noise and hid under a blanket the whole time until the blastos were finished.
Fireworks