Context Clues
"The baby bird was vulnerable to predators because it couldn’t yet fly and defend itself."
What does vulnerable mean?
(A) Safe
(B) Weak and unprotected
(C) Dangerous
(D) Strong
Weak and unprotected
"A thermometer is used to measure temperature."
What does therm mean?
(A) Heat
(B) Time
(C) Light
(D) Sound
Heat
"A predator is an animal that hunts other animals for food, like a lion hunting a zebra."
What is a predator?
An animal that hunts other animals.
"She saw a bat flying in the night sky."
(A) A wooden stick used in baseball
(B) A small, flying mammal
A small, flying mammal
"The sky became ominous, and soon thunder rumbled in the distance."
What does ominous mean?
(A) Bright and cheerful
(B) Threatening or signaling danger
(C) Peaceful
(D) Sunny
Threatening or signaling danger
"The book was about a benevolent king who always helped his people."
Knowing bene- means "good," what does benevolent mean?
(A) Kind and generous
(B) Evil
(C) Greedy
(D) Lonely
Kind and generous
"The scientist observed the nocturnal animals, which were active only at night."
What does nocturnal mean?
Active at night.
"The sailor tied a knot to secure the boat to the dock."
(A) A measurement of speed on water
(B) A loop or fastening made with rope
A loop or fastening made with rope
"After running five miles, Sam felt fatigued, much like a battery running out of power."
What does fatigued mean?
(A) Excited
(B) Tired and worn out
(C) Energized
(D) Fast
Tired and worn out
"The scientist examined the hydroelectric dam that generated power from water."
Knowing hydro- means "water," what does hydroelectric mean?
(A) Powered by sunlight
(B) Powered by water
(C) A type of gas
(D) A wind-powered machine
Powered by water
"The fabric was impermeable, meaning no water could pass through it."
What does impermeable mean?
Not allowing water or liquid to pass through.
"He will wave to his friend when he sees her."
(A) A movement of the hand as a greeting
(B) A swell of water in the ocean
A movement of the hand as a greeting
"The movie had a melancholy ending, leaving many viewers in tears."
What does melancholy mean?
(A) Happy
(B) Confusing
(C) Sad or gloomy
(D) Surprising
Sad or gloomy
"The employee at the corporation worked with many other people."
If corp- means "body" or "group," what does corporation mean?
(A) A large company or group
(B) A single person
(C) A type of food
(D) A small farm
A large company or group
"An omnivore is an animal that eats both plants and meat, such as a bear."
What does omnivore mean?
An animal that eats both plants and meat.
"The scientist tested the solution in the lab."
(A) A liquid mixture
(B) An answer to a problem
A liquid mixture
"When the puppy entered the room, its tail wagged frenetically, like a flag flapping in a strong wind."
What does frenetically mean?
(A) Slowly
(B) Calmly
(C) Wildly and quickly
(D) Gently
Wildly and quickly
"The astronaut used a spectroscope to study light from distant stars."
If spectro- relates to light and scope means "to see," what does spectroscope mean?
(A) A device that magnifies small objects
(B) A tool for examining light
(C) A machine that records sound
(D) A type of radio
A tool for examining light
"During the experiment, the liquid was volatile, meaning it changed rapidly and unpredictably when exposed to heat."
What does volatile mean?
Likely to change rapidly and unpredictably.
"The judge ruled that the contract was void."
(A) Empty space
(B) No longer legally valid
No longer legally valid