Context Clues
Read: "The kitten was mischievous; it knocked over the vase and chased the yarn." What does mischievous most likely mean?
Playful or causing trouble. Clue: knocked over the vase and chased the yarn.
What does the prefix un- mean in the word unhappy?
un- = not. unhappy = not happy.
Which word is a homophone pair: pair/pair, there/their, fast/fast? (Choose the correct homophone example.)
Correct homophone example: there/their.
Which word is stronger than "big": large or enormous? (Choose the stronger synonym.)
enormous is stronger than large.
What tool would you use to check the spelling of a word: atlas, dictionary, or calendar?
dictionary.
Sentence: "During the storm, the sailors clung to the mast to stay safe." Use context to explain what clung means.
clung = held on tightly. Clue: to stay safe during the storm.
What does the suffix -ful mean in the word careful?
-ful = full of. careful = full of care.
Give two sentences that show the different meanings of the homograph "bat"
Example sentences: "A bat flew out of the cave." / "He swung the bat and hit the ball."
Put these words in order from least strong to most strong: laugh, roar, giggle.
giggle (least), laugh, roar (most).
True or False: A glossary is found at the back of a book and helps explain words used in that book.
true.
Read the two sentences: "The garden was arid. The plants drooped from thirst." What does arid mean?
arid = very dry. Clue: plants drooped from thirst.
Given the base word play, what does playful mean? Explain how the suffix changes the meaning.
playful = full of play; means likes to play or is fun-loving
Which pair are homophones: sea/see or book/book? Choose and give a short sentence for each word in the pair.
sea/see are homophones. Sentences: "We went to the sea." / "I can see the boat."
Choose the best word to replace "walked" if someone moved quickly: strolled, hurried, ambled. Explain why.
hurried — best choice because it means moved quickly.
How would you use a dictionary to find the meaning of a new word? List two steps.
Steps: look up the word in alphabetical order; read definition and example sentence.
Short paragraph: "My cousin is frugal. She always saves coins in her piggy bank and refuses to waste food." What does frugal mean? Which words/clues helped you decide?
frugal = careful with money; not wasteful. Clues: saves coins, refuses to waste food.
The word rewrite has the prefix re-. What does re- mean and what would rewrite mean?
re- = again. rewrite = write again.
The words "lead" (to guide) and "lead" (a metal) are homographs. Explain how you would know which meaning is used in the sentence: "They will lead the parade."
In "They will lead the parade," lead = to guide (pronounced /leed/). Context of leading parade shows guide.
Explain the difference in meaning between "glanced" and "stared" and give one sentence for each.
glanced = to look at something quickly; stared = to look at something intensely or for a long time. Sentences: "My neighbor glanced at my test." / "The cat stared at the mouse."
You see the word prehistoric in a text, but you don't understand what it means. Which part would you check first in a dictionary entry: pronunciation, part of speech, or definition? (Choose the most helpful first step and explain.)
Definition is most helpful first to know the meaning.
Multi-clue: "Although Jenna was timid at first, she mustered courage and spoke to the class." What does timid mean? Explain two context clues in the sentence that support your answer.
timid = shy or fearful. Clues: "timid at first" and "mustard courage" (shows she was shy before acting bravely).
Break the word harmless into parts (prefix/root/suffix). Explain the meaning of each part and the whole word.
harmless = harm (root) + less (suffix meaning without) → without harm; no harm. (prefix none)
Find a homophone for the word "flower" and use both words in one sentence that shows their different meanings.
Homophone: flour. Sentence: "She picked a flower for the cake, then measured flour to bake it." (Shows different meanings.)
Given the verbs: say, whisper, proclaim — rank them from least loud/strong to most loud/strong and explain your reasoning.
Order: whisper (least), say, proclaim (most). Explanation: whisper is very quiet; proclaim is loud or formal.
You find an unfamiliar word in a digital text. Name two ways a digital dictionary or glossary might help you that a print dictionary might not.
Digital tools may include audio pronunciation and quick search links or clickable example sentences.