Context Clues 1
Angela knew that there were NUMEROUS reasons why she should take the job, but she just did not want it. What does NUMEROUS mean? a) a few b) many c) none
b) many
Adrian liked his new laptop computer because it was light and PORTABLE. He took it with him everywhere! What does PORTABLE mean? a) small b) movable c) high-tech
b) movable
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) puppies
There was a COMMOTION in the hallway and the kids poked their heads out of the classroom to see what was going on. What does COMMOTION mean? a) disturbance b) party c) drill
a) disturbance
Mary only wanted to help, but unfortunately, her speech had the opposite effect and ESCALATED the argument. What does ESCALATED mean? a) ended b) made worse c) helped
b. made worse
My mom wanted to DIMINISH my spending, so she took away my allowance. What does DIMINISH mean? a) enhance b) control c) limit
c) limit
Mrs. Jones was nervous about flying on an airplane. She had never flown before. Her daughter REASSURED her by telling her that planes are very safe. What does REASSURED mean? a) comforted b) reminded c) forced
a) comforted
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
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
Joan was COMPENSATED for mowing her neighbor's lawn over the summer so she bought a new video game. What does COMPENSATED mean? a) hired b) paid c) fired
b) paid
Dad thought the spaghetti sauce was too BLAND, so he added more garlic. What does BLAND mean? a) salty b) spicy c) mild
c) mild
The meadow was full of wildflowers. There were not many large plants, and trees were SPARSE. What does SPARSE mean? a) many b) few c) large
b) few
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
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
Joan decided to WITHDRAW her support for Calvin for class president when she learned that he had cheated on a test. What does WITHDRAW mean? a) take back b) give c) show
a) take back
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? a) got sick b) died c) escaped
b) died
The artist had used VIVID colors in the painting, which made it stand out in the otherwise dark room. What does VIVID mean? a) dull b) tinted c) bright
c) bright
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
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
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? a) enormous b) little c) smelly
a) enormous
I was not looking forward to the FRIGID air in Alaska. What does FRIGID mean? a) hot b) cold c) windy
b) cold
The children danced to the music with merry JUBILATION. What does JUBILATION mean? a) delight b) distress c) surprise
a)delight
The teacher thought that having the children read 20 pages, complete a worksheet, and record a video would be SUPERFLUOUS, so she just had them complete a worksheet. What does SUPERFLUOUS mean? a) super b) unnecessary c) difficult
b) unnecessary
The principal DICTATED that all students would be required to follow the school dress code. What word would be a synonym for DICTATED? a) asked b) knew c) commanded
c) commanded
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? a) brutal b) massive c) meaningless
c) meaningless
After Lily left home for college, her dad tried to sell the computer games she had played when she was little. However, he soon discovered they were OBSOLETE. The word OBSOLETE means: a) too easy b) out of date c) boring
b) out of date