CONTEXT CLUES
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
MAIN IDEA
CAUSE AND EFFECT
MAKING AN INFERENCE
100
Lenny was late for his club meeting. He ran out of the house and slammed the door. He left in such a "haste" that he forgot to take the key. Boy, was he sorry when he got home and found that he had locked himself out! The context show that the word "haste" in the passage means: a) a hurry b) a shock c) a storm
a) a hurry
100
What does the phrase mean? Don't be a "couch potato"! Get out and do something! a) You eat potatoes on the couch. b) You are watching too much TV.
b) You are watching too much TV.
100
***DOUBLE JEOPARDY*** Next time your baseball game is called off because of lightning, be grateful. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a storm, so you're in danger even if it's not raining on you at the time. Also, lightning strikes people standing under trees, so don't take shelter beneath those old oaks in the park. Play it safe--at first lightning strike, get off the field. What is the main idea of the passage? a) Umpires call off games when they see lightning. b) Many people are struck by lightning. c) People should not play baseball during a lightning storm. For 100 extra points-- what is the purpose of this text?
c) People should not play baseball during a lightning storm. ***Purpose of text-- TO INFORM!
100
The Himalaya Mountains in Asia contain the highest peaks on the planet. The highest is Everest. In 1924, two British men, George Mallory and Andrew Irvine, attempted to reach the peak of Everest but died on the mountain. Climbers found the frozen body of Mallory in 1999. What is the effect of two British men trying to reach the peak of Everest but failing to return? a) One of their bodies was found 75 years later. b) Both of their bodies were found in 1999. c) Everest is no longer considered the world's tallest mountain.
a) One of their bodies was found 75 years later.
100
Every year, a newsmagazine lists the 25 best colleges in the country. Not everyone agrees with the choices. "Last year, my college was No. 4," Nadia said. "This year it dropped to No. 14." "Mine was No. 17 and now it dropped off the list," Ben said. "That's nothing," Ryan said. "Mine has never been on the list." You can infer that, a) Not every college made the list every year. b) Nadia was confusing her college with another. c) The newsmagazine made a mistake ranking Ryan's college.
a) Not every college made the list every year.
200
The air in the country smelled fresh. I walked by myself and sat down on a rock. The sun was about to set. I "gazed" at the pretty colors in the sky for more than an hour. The context shows that the word "gazed" in the passage means: a) looked for a long time b) looked for a short time c) painted
a) looked for a long time
200
Lots of people had gold "on their minds" in the mid-1800s. It all started when someone found gold in California. People talked about the gold. Then lots of people moved to California. They all wanted to find gold. This was called the "The California Gold Rush." What does "on their minds" mean? a) on their heads b) wrote down c) thought about
c) thought about
200
Organ wrens are known for their beautiful song, which actually sounds like an organ playing. There are several legends surrounding the organ wren. One is that when it starts to sing, all the other birds stop to hear it. Another is that the organ wren brings good luck. Still a third is that the organ wren is actually a god turned into a bird. The main idea of the passage is, a) Organ wrens are named after the sound they make. b) When an organ wren sings, other birds stop to hear it. c) Organ wrens sing so beautifully that people have created legends about them.
c) Organ wrens sing so beautifully that people have created legends about them.
200
George kept his bedroom neat all the time. His sister Meredith was not so tidy. One day they wanted to surprise their parents. George messed up his room and Meredith cleaned hers cleaner than it had ever been. Their parents laughed heartily when they saw the switcheroo. What caused Meredith to clean her room? a) She wanted to compete with her brother. b) She and her brother wanted to play a joke on their parents. c) Her parents told her to.
b) She and her brother wanted to play a joke on their parents.
200
Seniors in high school who want to go to college usually apply to more than one. The highly competitive schools are called "reach" schools. Many people apply to them, but not all are accepted. Other schools might be less competitive. Many students generally have a greater chance of getting into these schools. They are sometimes called "safety" schools. It is likely that:
a) Reach schools are generally harder to get into than safety schools. b) Students apply to one reach school and two safety schools. c) Students can only apply to one school.
300
My favorite circus act is the acrobats who swing high in the air. One acrobat would let go of the swing, flip over, and then "seize" the hands of the other acrobat. I'm glad that he didn't fall. The context shows the word "seize" in the passage means: a) lick b) grab c) lose
b) grab
300
The Cincinnati Red Stockings were the first professional baseball team. It was formed in 1869. Its managers were Harry Wright and George Ellard. In its first season, the team never lost a game. It won 65 games. The Red Stockings were the first players in a popular game. Today baseball is as American as apple pie. What does the phrase "as American as apple pie" mean in the passage? a) is very popular in America b) goes well with apple pie c) is played only in America
a) is very popular in America
300
Parades have been held for thousands of years. The first parades were held in honor of religion. Later, the Romans held parades called "triumphs". These parades honored army generals who won great battles. Today, Americans hold parades for July 4th, the Rose Bowl Game, Cinco de Mayo, Thanksgiving, and many more important events. What is this passage mainly about? a) Parades are a way of celebrating important events. b) The first parades were for religious reasons. c) Thousands of parades are held in the United States every year.
a) Parades are a way of celebrating important events.
300
***DOUBLE JEOPARDY*** Mountain climbers must be careful on glaciers. Some glaciers contain crevasses, or gaps, that are hidden by snow. Before climbing, all climbers in the party tie themselves to one long rope. If one climber falls in a crevasse, the others can pull him or her up. Climbers can rescue a person with a rope because, a) Mountain climbers jump over crevasses. b) Mountain climbers do not like to stick together. c) All climbers tie themselves to one long rope. ***For 100 extra points, what clue in the passage helps you understand the meaning of "crevasses"?
c) All climbers tie themselves to one long rope. **The clue that helps you understand the meaning of crevasses is GAPS!
300
"I'd like to work there after college," Cathy told her friend Regina. Cathy pointed to a skyscraper as they walked through the city. "I have no idea what's in that building," Regina said. "A company called Pretty Priorities," Cathy said. "It's a clothing designer that specializes in businesswear." "You'd do great there," Regina said. "You have such a good sense of style." It is likely that: a) Regina had never been to a city before. b) Regina wanted to get a job at Pretty Priorities too. c) Cathy was interested in fashion.
c) Cathy was interested in fashion.
400
I visited my uncle's horse ranch. He takes good care of his horses. He brushes their manes and bodies until they are clean and "sleek". The context shows the word "sleek" in the passage means: a) bumpy b) messy c) soft and smooth
c) soft and smooth
400
What does the phrase mean? Jack was "all ears" when he heard someone mention cookies would be served at the meeting. a) Jack was growing more ears. b) Jack was interested in listening.
b) Jack was interested in listening.
400
***DOUBLE JEOPARDY*** Elizabeth stood in line to purchase the CD. She was excited about buying it, but she was also troubled. Earlier, she'd found a wallet with $40 inside. The driver's license read: Pedro Vargas. Now Elizabeth wondered who Pedro Vargas was and if he needed the $40. When Elizabeth reached the cashier, she said she'd changed her mind. Then she told him about finding the wallet. The main idea of the passage is, a) Elizabeth realized buying something with money that wasn't hers was wrong. b) Buying new things can be fun. c) Pedro Vargas lost his wallet. **For 100 extra points-- Based on the information in the passage, what can you conclude about the type of person Elizabeth is?
a) Elizabeth realized buying something with money that wasn't hers was wrong. *** I can conclude that Elizabeth is honest.
400
The library received several boxes of new books just before closing. Jean, the head librarian, stayed two hours late to unpack them. She left them in stacks on the counter. The next afternoon, she came in to find that Martin had shelved all the books. What was the effect of the book shipment arriving just before the library closed? a) Jean stacked the boxes on the counter. b) Jean stayed late to unpack them. c) Martin stayed late to shelve them.
b) Jean stayed late to unpack them.
400
At the beginning of the semester, college students must get the books they'll need for their courses. If they are taking any literature courses, they will probably have to read novels, too. Some college bookstores sell both new and used books. Used books may have marks or highlights in them, but many students prefer them because they are less expensive. You can infer that: a) Professors give students the books they will need. b) Students can expect to read only one book per course. c) Some college bookstores sell different versions of the same book.
a) Some college bookstores sell different versions of the same book.
500
Marianne, Judy, and I went to the handball court very early on Sunday morning. We played for three hours and finally had to stop. We were so "weary" that we could barely move. We managed to drag ourselves home even though we had so little energy. The context shows the word "weary" in the passage means: a) very thin b) very tired c) very happy
b) very tired
500
What does the phrase mean? Thomas "dragged his feet" when his mom told him to clean his room. a) Thomas delayed cleaning his room. b) Thomas dragged his feet on the floor of his room.
a) Thomas delayed cleaning his room.
500
In 24 states, colonies of honeybees are simply disappearing, and no one knows why. Some beekeepers have lost 70 percent of their bees. What does this mean? Honeybees pollinate over $14 billion worth of fruits, vegetables, and nuts each year. Without honeybees, these foods will have to be imported. And that means higher prices at the grocery store. Let's hope this mystery is solved soon. What is the main idea of the passage? a) Something mysterious is happening to honeybees. b) Honeybees pollinate over $14 billion worth of crops. c) Prices will be higher at the grocery store this year.
a) Something mysterious is happening to honeybees.
500
Jessica's dad threw her mom a surprise birthday party. Jessica was in charge of decorations. She hung colorful streamers. She made copies of photos of her parents from over the years and put them up around the house. Many guests complimented her on a job well done. Guests liked how the house looked for the surprise party because, a) Jessica threw her dad a surprise party. b) Jessica took lots of photos of her parents. c) Jessica hung streamers and photos before the party.
c) Jessica hung streamers and photos before the party.
500
Brenda was rushing to finish everything she needed to do before going home for Thanksgiving. She dropped off an assignment and checked a few books out of the library. She said goodbye to her friends. After the three-hour drive home, she remembered one thing she forgot. "I didn't turn off my alarm clock," she told her dad. "It will go off every day!" You can infer that: a) Brenda would not make a special trip back to shut off her alarm clock. b) Brenda also forgot to turn off the light in her dorm room. c) Brenda always slept too late.
a) Brenda would not make a special trip back to shut off her alarm clock.
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