Vocab in Context
Use context clues to answer the question below:
The dog was so enervated after the long walk that it collapsed on the floor.
What does enervated most likely mean?
Answer: Very tired
Tiana stuffed her homework into her backpack and avoided looking at her teacher.
What can you infer about Tiana based on the context clues from the sentence above?
Answer: She may not have finished her homework or feels guilty.
A story shows a character practicing basketball every day until they finally make the team.
What is a possible theme of the story based on the context given above?
Answer: Hard work pays off/don't give up
“The classroom exploded with laughter.”
What type of figurative language is this?
Answer: Hyperbole
Which is the BEST evidence for the claim?
Claim: Maya is responsible.
A. Maya likes music.
B. Maya remembered to lock the doors before leaving.
C. Maya owns a backpack.
D. Maya walked home.
Answer: B
Maria dithered before opening the door because she was nervous about what was inside.
What does dithered most likely mean?
Answer: Hesitate; Paused or waited before acting
The restaurant was silent except for forks clinking against plates.
What can you infer about the mood of the restaurant?
Answer: The mood is awkward, tense, or uncomfortable.
An article explains how plastic pollution harms oceans and animals.
What is the central idea of the article?
Answer: Awareness - Plastic pollution negatively affects oceans and wildlife.
“The wind whispered through the trees.”
What type of figurative language is this?
Answer: Personification
An article explains a problem and then gives several ways to solve it.
What text structure is used?
Answer: Problem and solution
The coach praised the athlete for being sedulous during practice.
What does sedulous most likely mean?
Answer: Working hard/not giving up
Carlos checked the clock three times in one minute while waiting for the phone call.
What can you infer about how Carlos is feeling?
Answer: Carlos is likely feeling anxious or impatient.
A novel shows several characters learning to forgive each other after mistakes.
What is a possible theme or main message of the novel?
Answer: Forgiveness can heal relationships/forgive and forget
The author describes dark clouds, creaky stairs, and flickering lights before a scary scene.
Why did the author include these details/what is the author trying to do here?
Answer: To build suspense or tension
A passage describes events in the order they happened.
What text structure is used/what is this called?
Answer: Chronological order or sequence
The massive storm caused bedlam throughout the city as people scattered everywhere.
What does bedlam most likely mean?
Answer: chaos, confusion, disorder
The character smiled as they tore up the letter.
What can you infer about the character?
Answer: The character may feel emotional, relieved, angry, or conflicted.
A speech encourages young people to speak up about injustice.
What is likely the author’s message?
Answer: Speak up for what you believe in/People should use their voices to create change.
The author uses short sentences during an action scene.
What effect does the use of these short sentences create?
Answer: It increases tension and speeds up the pacing.
The author compares two different schools and explains how they are alike and different.
What text structure is used?
Answer: Compare and contrast
Even though Jamal appeared confident, his trembling hands revealed his consternation before going on stage.
What does consternation most likely mean?
Answer: Worry, nervousness, anxiety
After the argument, Ava quietly washed the dishes her brother had left in the sink.
What does this action reveal about Ava?
Answer: Ava may be trying to make peace, avoid conflict, or show maturity.
Throughout a memoir, the narrator struggles to fit in while adapting to a new country.
What is a likely theme?
Answer: Finding identity can be difficult during change/assimilation can be challenging
The narrator says, “Yeah, great job,” after someone drops a tray of food.
What literary device is being used?
Answer: Sarcasm or verbal irony
Read the claim:
“School uniforms improve learning.”
Which piece of evidence BEST supports the claim?
A. Some students dislike uniforms.
B. Uniforms come in many colors.
C. Schools with uniforms reported fewer classroom distractions.
D. Students wear uniforms in many countries.
Answer: C