Context Clues
Read the following:
The hikers were relieved to find a replenishable water source at the campsite. The sign explained that the spring was a supply that naturally refilled itself every time it rained.
Based on the context of the sentences, what does replenishable mean?
A. Extremely cold and difficult to drink.
B. Able to be filled or built up again.
C. Hidden deep beneath the ground.
D. Dangerous and containing harmful chemicals.
B. Able to be filled or built up again.
What does the Latin Root mal mean?
Bad or Evil
The captain’s authoritative voice boomed across the deck of the ship. Every sailor immediately stopped what they were doing and stood at attention, ready to follow his next command.
Which word has a similar denotation to authoritative but carries a more negative connotation?
A. Bossy
B. Confident
C. Commanding
D. Leading
A. Bossy
Use the dictionary entry below to answer the question.
re·mote /ri-ˈmōt/ adjective
Far removed in space, time, or relation.
Out-of-the-way; secluded.
Small in degree; slight (as in a remote chance).
(noun) A device that controls something from a distance.
Read this sentence: "Since the mountain cabin was so remote, we had to pack enough food and water to last for two weeks."
Which definition best fits the way remote is used in the sentence?
A. Definition 1
B. Definition 2
C. Definition 3
D. Definition 4
B. Definition 2
What does it's raining cats and dogs mean?
A. It is very windy.
B. It is raining hard.
C. It is cold outside.
D. It is hot outside.
B. It is raining hard.
Read the following:
After the long winter, the garden was in a state of neglect. Tall weeds had choked out the flowers, and the wooden fence was leaning over, missing several broken slats.
Based on the context of the sentences, what does the word neglect mean?
A. A lack of care or attention.
B. A place of great beauty.
C. A plan for a new building.
D. A feeling of extreme happiness.
A. A lack of care or attention.
What do the Latin Roots dict and bene mean?
dict: to say, speak, or tell
bene: good or well
The tour guide was extremely talkative as he led the group through the historical museum. He shared every tiny detail about the artifacts and told long stories about the people who lived in the city centuries ago. While some visitors enjoyed the extra information, others began to check their watches, wishing he would get to the point. His constant stream of words made it difficult for anyone else to ask a question.
Which word has a similar denotation to talkative but carries a more positive, complimentary connotation? A. Chatty
B. Noisy
C. Loud
D. Eloquent
D. Eloquent
Use the dictionary entry below to answer the question.
pro·pel /prə-ˈpel/ verb (propels, propelled, propelling) To push or drive someone or something forward or in a particular direction.
What is the correct way to divide the word propel into syllables?
A. p-ropel
B. pro-pel
C. prop-el
D. prope-l
B. pro-pel
What does the following metaphor mean:
"The classroom was a beehive of activity during the science project"
A. The class was quiet.
B. The class was disrespectful.
C. The class was being hurt.
D. The class was busy.
D. The class was busy.
Read the following:
From the top of the mountain, the explorers stared out at the vast valley stretching toward the horizon. They could see miles of green forests, winding rivers, and distant hills that seemed to never end. The sheer size of the landscape made them feel very small.
Based on the context of the sentences, what does vast mean?
A. Extremely large in size or area.
B. Very cold and covered in ice.
C. Deep and difficult to climb.
D. Crowded with many people.
A. Extremely large in size or area.
Read the following:
After the massive storm, the town council realized that the old wooden bridge was no longer safe. They decided to reconstruct the bridge using steel and concrete so it would last for decades.
Based on the root struct, what does the word reconstruct mean?
A. To take something apart piece by piece.
B. To build something again after it has been damaged.
C. To paint a structure a different color.
D. To find a new location for a building.
B. To build something again after it has been damaged.
The old house at the end of the street had been empty for years and was starting to look quite shabby. The paint was peeling off the walls, and the front porch steps were beginning to rot. It was clear that no one had taken care of the property in a very long time.
Which word has a similar denotation to shabby but carries a more neutral or even positive connotation? A. Ruined
B. Vintage
C. Broken
D. Trashy
B. Vintage
Use the dictionary entry below to answer the question.
con·tent A. /kən-ˈtent/ adjective: Feeling peaceful happiness or satisfaction. B. /ˈkän-ˌtent/ noun: The things that are held or included in something.
Read this sentence: "After the heavy rain stopped, the hikers were content to sit by the fire and watch the sunset."
Which is the correct pronunciation and part of speech for content as it is used in the sentence?
A. /kən-ˈtent/; adjective
B. /ˈkän-ˌtent/; noun
C. /kən-ˈtent/; noun
D. /ˈkän-ˌtent/; adjective
A. /kən-ˈtent/; adjective
Read the following:
Jada had been practicing her solo for months, but when Leo announced his own big news right before she went on stage, she felt like he had stolen her thunder.
What does stolen her thunder mean?
A. To ruin someone’s performance by making a loud, distracting noise.
B. To take away the attention or excitement from someone else’s achievement.
C. To help someone feel more confident before a difficult task.
D. To provide better ideas for a project than the original creator.
A. To
B. To take away the attention or excitement from someone else’s achievement.
Read the following:
The hikers had been climbing the steep trail since sunrise, and their legs felt like heavy lead. They were so weary that they decided to set up camp early and rest by the fire. Within minutes of sitting down, most of them had fallen fast asleep.
Based on the context of the sentences, what is the meaning of weary?
A. Feeling very excited and energetic.
B. Being physically or mentally exhausted.
C. Feeling confused about which way to go.
D. Being angry about the difficult weather.
B. Being physically or mentally exhausted.
Read the following:
As the scientist looked through the powerful microscope, she began to inspect the tiny cells on the leaf. She needed to see exactly how the plant was absorbing water through its veins.
Based on the root spec, what does the word inspect mean?
A. To look at something very closely or carefully.
B. To hide something so it cannot be found.
C. To throw something away that is no longer useful.
D. To listen to the sounds an object makes.
A. To look at something very closely or carefully.
After winning the championship game, the players were elated as they lifted the trophy high above their heads. They spent the rest of the evening celebrating their hard work and victory with their families.
Which word has a similar connotation as elated?
A. Heartbroken
B. Hopeful
C. Thrilled
D. Content
C. Thrilled
Use the thesaurus entry below to answer the question.
vibrant (adjective)
Synonyms: energetic, vivid, lively, spirited Antonyms: dull, listless, pale, lifeless
Which word would be the best replacement for vibrant in a sentence describing a bright, colorful painting?
A. Energetic
B. Spirited
C. Vivid
D. Listless
C. Vivid
What type of figurative language is used below and what does it mean?
The environmental scientist’s speech about the importance of trees was very root-ed in facts.
A. Pun; the scientist had facts that supported the importance of trees.
B. Pun; the scientist did not make a good speech.
C. Personification; the scientist had facts in their speech.
D. Personification; the scientist appreciated trees.
A. Pun; the scientist had facts that supported the importance of trees.
Read the following:
The witness sat down to write her statement about the accident, but her thoughts were still jumbled from the shock. She took a deep breath and tried to organize the events in the order they happened. Slowly, her scattered notes began to form a coherent story that the police officers could actually follow. By the time she finished, the police officers knew exactly who was at fault. She was relieved that her message finally made sense.
Based on the context of the paragraph, what does coherent mean?
A. Loud and full of descriptive energy.
B. Secretive and meant to be hidden from others.
C. Long and containing many unnecessary details.
D. Logical, clear, and easy to understand.
D. Logical, clear, and easy to understand.
Read the following:
While some students in the art class were very quiet and shy, Marcus was quite talkative. He spent the entire period sharing stories about his weekend while he worked on his clay sculpture.
Based on the suffix -ive, what does the word talkative mean?
A. Someone who is afraid of speaking in public.
B. Someone who is very good at drawing and painting.
C. Someone who has the nature of talking a lot.
D. Someone who prefers to work alone in silence.
C. Someone who has the nature of talking a lot.
When the principal announced the new rules for the cafeteria, most students found them to be quite stringent. Students were no longer allowed to leave their seats without permission, and the noise level had to stay below a whisper at all times. If a student broke even a minor rule, they were immediately assigned an extra chore. Many felt that these new expectations were much tougher than necessary for a lunch break. The atmosphere in the room changed from social and fun to silent and tense.
Which word has a similar denotation to stringent?
A. Strict
B. Polite
C. Flexible
D. Harsh
D. Harsh
Use the dictionary entry below to answer the question.
ex·tract
/ik-ˈstrakt/ (verb): To pull out by force.
/ˈek-ˌstrakt/ (noun): A substance taken from a plant or drug.
Read this sentence: "The baker added two drops of vanilla extract to the cookie dough to improve the flavor."
Which definition and pronunciation provide the correct information for extract in this context?
A. Definition 1; /ik-ˈstrakt/
B. Definition 2; /ik-ˈstrakt/
C. Definition 1; /ˈek-ˌstrakt/
D. Definition 2; /ˈek-ˌstrakt/
D. Definition 2; /ˈek-ˌstrakt/
Read the following:
Although he wasn't a strong swimmer, Silas decided to throw caution to the wind and jump into the lake to save his sister's floating hat.
What does the phrase "throw caution to the wind" mean as it is used in the sentence?
A. To check the weather conditions before starting a difficult task.
B. To decide to take a risk despite the possible dangers.
C. To realize that a situation is too dangerous and turn back.
D. To act quickly because of a change in the wind's direction.
B. To decide to take a risk despite the possible dangers.