Context Clues
"The exhausted runners trudged across the finish line, panting and barely able to lift their heads."
What does "exhausted" mean? Which word or phrase in the sentence helps you understand what "exhausted" means?
Very tired, Evidence: "panting" / "barely able to lift their heads"
She was as brave as a lion." Name the figurative device
Similie
What do you put at the END of a sentence?
period
"Bees are essential pollinators for many of the fruits and vegetables we eat. As they visit flowers, pollen sticks to their bodies and moves from bloom to bloom, which helps plants make seeds. Without bees, many crops would fail to produce fruit."
Clue question: What is the main idea?
Main idea: Bees are essential pollinators.
Mia watered the seedlings every evening, gently pouring just enough water into each pot and shading them from the hot midday sun. She kept a small notebook of their height and leaf growth, noting changes after rain or fertilizer. After a month of careful care, the tallest plant produced its first flower.
What caused the tallest plant to flower?
Consistent, attentive care—Mia watered the seedlings every evening and recorded their growth (evidence: “watered the seedlings every evening,” “kept a small notebook of their height and leaf growth,” and the result: “produced its first flower”).
"The scientist's discovery was revolutionary; it changed the way people thought about energy."
What does "revolutionary" mean in this sentence? How do you know?
"groundbreaking" or "very new/significant"? (Evidence: "it changed the way people thought")
"The wind whispered through the trees." Name the device.
Personification
What is the noun in this sentence?
The dog chased the ball
ball or dog
Jamal frowned and shoved the broken toy into the drawer."
What can you infer about Jamal's feelings?
During the overnight storm, the river rose quickly and flooded the low-lying fields, leaving muddy water around fences and pathways. The next morning, neighbors checked on each other; farmers worked together to move tools, cover machinery, and lead animals to higher ground until the waters receded.
How did the community respond to the flooding?
Answer: They cooperated to protect people, property, and animals (evidence: “neighbors checked on each other,” “farmers worked together,” and “move tools...and lead animals to higher ground”).
After the storm, the park was littered with debris, including broken branches and scattered trash."
What does "debris" mean?
"broken pieces; scattered trash/ruins"
Identify the device: "Time is a thief."
Metaphor
What do I need to put around a quote from the text?
Quotation marks
" ...................."
Read this sentence and make an inference: "Maya studied the map carefully, tracing the red line with her finger, then packed extra water and a flashlight."
What can you infer about Maya's plans?
She is planning a long trip/hike
Lena practiced the piano each afternoon for two weeks before the recital, focusing on difficult measures and asking her teacher for tips on expression. She also rehearsed performing in front of family to calm her nerves. At the recital, she played confidently, hit the correct notes, and smiled at the audience.
Question: How did Lena’s practice affect her recital?
Her focused practice improved both her skill and confidence (evidence: “practiced...each afternoon for two weeks,” “focused on difficult measures,” rehearsed in front of family, and the outcome: “played confidently...and smiled”).
"Marcus was baffled by the puzzle; despite reading the directions twice, he couldn't figure it out."
What does baffled mean? How do you know?
What is "confused" or "perplexed"? (Evidence: "couldn't figure it out")
I'm so hungry I could eat a horse! Name the device
Hyperbole
Revise this run‑on: "I finished my homework I went outside to play."
"I finished my homework, and I went outside to play."
The city library started a weekend reading program for families last year. Every Saturday morning, volunteers read aloud picture books and lead short activities that help children practice new vocabulary. Attendance has grown each month because parents enjoy the chance to read with their children and kids look forward to the fun activities.
What is the main idea? Give me two pieces of evidence to support.
Main idea: The city library started a successful weekend reading program for families.
Evidence: (1) "Every Saturday morning, volunteers read aloud picture books and lead short activities..." (shows what the program does). (2) "Attendance has grown each month" and "kids look forward to the fun activities" (shows the program is popular).
The school installed motion-sensor lights in the long hallway to save energy and improve safety during late events. The new system turns lights on only when someone walks by and switches them off after a short delay, reducing electricity use while keeping hallways lit when needed.
Question: What is the main benefit of the new lights? Give one piece of evidence.
Answer: They save energy while maintaining safety (evidence: “installed...to save energy,” and “turns lights on only when someone walks by...switches them off after a short delay”).
"Though the movie was billed as a comedy, its somber tone and slow pacing made the audience be sad rather than laugh."
What does somber mean? How do you know?
"serious" or "sad in tone"? (Evidence: "sad rather than laugh," "slow pacing")
What is the difference between a similie and metaphor?
A simile uses "like" or "as" to compare (e.g., "cold as ice"); a metaphor directly says one thing is another (e.g., "the classroom was a zoo").
Identify and correct the error(s) in this sentence: "its cold outside but the childrens coats are missing."
"It's cold outside, but the children's coats are missing."
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity without producing air pollution. Homeowners who install panels often reduce their monthly energy bills and sometimes sell extra power back to the grid. While the initial cost can be high, many people consider the long-term savings and environmental benefits worth the investment
What is the main idea? Give two pieces of evidence to support.
Main idea: Solar panels provide electricity with environmental and financial benefits despite high initial cost.
Evidence: (1) "Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity without producing air pollution" (environmental benefit). (2) "Homeowners...reduce their monthly energy bills and sometimes sell extra power back to the grid" (financial benefit); plus "the initial cost can be high" (acknowledges the drawback).
After school, Jamal and Priya volunteered at the animal shelter where they fed cats and walked dogs. They learned to clean cages, record each animal's needs, and gently introduce shy pets to new people. Over several weeks, a frightened dog began wagging its tail when they approached and accepted treats from their hands.
Question: What change happened to the frightened dog, and what caused it?
The dog became friendlier and more trusting because Jamal and Priya consistently cared for it and used gentle, patient interactions (evidence: "learned to...gently introduce shy pets," "over several weeks...began wagging its tail" and "accepted treats from their hands").