Context Clues
In a short story, you read:
“Jamal ambled down the hallway, his backpack slung over one shoulder, taking his time as other students hurried past.”
Based on the context, what does “ambled” most likely mean?
What is “walked slowly or casually”?
At the beginning of a story, Maya is terrified to present in front of class and hides behind her classmates. At the end, she volunteers to go first and helps others with their speeches.
Which idea best connects these two moments?
A. People always stay the same.
B. Confidence can grow over time.
C. Friends are more important than school.
D. School is always stressful.
What is B – “Confidence can grow over time”?
Claim: “Alex is nervous about the math test.”
Which piece of evidence best supports this claim?
A. “Alex stuffed his hands in his pockets and whistled a happy tune.”
B. “Alex’s heart pounded as he stared at the numbers, chewing on his pencil eraser.”
C. “Alex finished the test in ten minutes and turned it in with a smile.”
D. “Alex liked math more than any other subject.”
What is B?
Read this description:
“The line in the office stretched on forever. Students slumped in plastic chairs, tapping their feet and sighing as the clock crawled forward.”
Which word best describes the tone?
A. Excited
B. Tense
C. Bored/frustrated
D. Joyful
What is C – bored/frustrated?
“The test was a mountain I had to climb.”
Which type of figurative language is used?
What is a metaphor?
In a narrative, the main character says:
“When my sister borrowed my favorite hoodie without asking, I was indignant. I crossed my arms, glared at her, and demanded, ‘Who said you could take that?’”
Using the context, what does “indignant” most likely mean?
What is “angry because something feels unfair or wrong”?
Early in a story, a character ignores their little brother to play video games. Later, that same character feels hurt when their best friend ignores them to hang out with new people.
Which analogy best connects these two events?
A. Losing a game is like failing a test.
B. Being ignored is like being invisible.
C. Homework is like chores.
D. Secrets are like locked doors.
What is B – “Being ignored is like being invisible”?
Claim: “The cafeteria is loud and chaotic.”
Which evidence is the most relevant?
A. “Posters of healthy food hung on the walls.”
B. “The lunch line wrapped around the room.”
C. “Voices crashed together in a roar as trays clattered and someone shouted for more napkins.”
D. “The tables were shaped like long rectangles.”
What is C?
Clue:
“Finally, after weeks of practicing until my voice cracked, the curtain rose. My hands shook, but when I saw my little brother in the front row giving me a thumbs-up, a calm warmth spread through me.”
What is the best tone?
A. Bitter
B. Nervous but hopeful
C. Silly
D. Disgusted
What is B – nervous but hopeful?
“The football whizzed past my ear and thudded against the bleachers.”
Which device is most clearly shown?
What is onomatopoeia?
In a scene, a student describes their new school:
“The building was sprawling, with hallways stretching in every direction like a maze. It took me ten minutes just to find my locker.”
What does “sprawling” most likely mean in this context?
What is “spread out over a large area / very big and wide”?
In chapter 2, the coach benches a player for skipping practice. In chapter 7, the principal suspends a student for cheating.
Which idea connects these two moments?
A. Adults never listen to students.
B. Rules are random and unnecessary.
C. Actions have consequences.
D. Sports are more serious than school.
What is C – “Actions have consequences”?
Claim: “Jordan feels left out by his friends.”
Which is the strongest supporting evidence?
A. “Jordan watched as his friends whispered and laughed, glancing at him, then quickly looking away.”
B. “Jordan wore his favorite sneakers to school.”
C. “Jordan had a lot of homework that night.”
D. “Jordan liked to sit by the window.”
What is A?
Clue:
“Oh great,” I muttered, staring at the rain pouring down. “Exactly what I wanted on field day. Maybe if we’re lucky, the mud will swallow us whole.”
What tone is the author using?
A. Serious and formal
B. Sarcastic
C. Confused
D. Terrified
What is B – sarcastic?
“The alarm clock screamed at me to wake up.”
Which type of figurative language is used?
What is personification?
In a story, you read:
“Unlike his usually meticulous notes—lined up perfectly with color-coded headings—today’s page was a chaotic mess of scribbles and half-finished thoughts.”
Using the contrast in the sentence, what does “meticulous” most likely mean?
What is “very careful and extremely neat/precise”?
At the start of a novel, the town refuses to help during a flood in a nearby city. Near the end, after their own neighborhood is damaged by a storm, they finally organize volunteers to help others.
Which theme best connects these two scenes?
A. Weather is unpredictable.
B. Money solves every problem.
C. People only care about themselves.
D. Suffering can grow empathy for others.
What is D – “Suffering can grow empathy for others”?
Claim: “Ms. Rivera cares about her students’ success, not just their grades.”
Which evidence BEST supports this claim?
A. “Ms. Rivera reminded everyone that the quiz counted for 60% of their grade.”
B. “Ms. Rivera handed back the test silently and told them to put it away.”
C. “Ms. Rivera stayed after school to help three students review the questions they missed, explaining each one until they understood.”
D. “Ms. Rivera wrote everyone’s grades on the board.”
What is C?
Clue:
“The museum was a cathedral of silence. Dusty beams of light slid across ancient artifacts, each one a whisper from a world long gone. I moved slowly, afraid even my footsteps might disturb the stories sleeping there.”
What word best describes the tone?
A. Playful
B. Annoyed
C. Reverent / awe-filled
D. Angry
What is C – reverent / full of awe?
“I’ve told you a million times to put your name on your paper.”
Which type of figurative language is this, and what is its purpose?
What is hyperbole, used to exaggerate how many times it’s been said?
In a fantasy story, a character says:
“I’m not going to capitulate just because the council is pressuring me. They can threaten, they can criticize, but I won’t give in.”
Based on the context, what does “capitulate” mean?
What is “to give in or surrender”?
In one scene, a student hides their report card, afraid their parents will be disappointed. In a later scene, that same student hides a broken trophy after accidentally dropping it.
Which analogy best explains what connects these events across the story?
A. Hiding the report card is to fear of judgment as hiding the trophy is to fear of punishment.
B. Hiding the report card is to laziness as hiding the trophy is to excitement.
C. Hiding the report card is to pride as hiding the trophy is to generosity.
D. Hiding the report card is to courage as hiding the trophy is to honesty.
What is A – both actions are driven by fear of being judged or punished?
Claim: “The main character is determined, even when things are difficult.”
Which piece of evidence is the MOST precise and relevant?
A. “She thought about giving up but decided to keep practicing after everyone else left the gym.”
B. “She wore her team jersey every Friday.”
C. “She liked watching basketball games on TV.”
D. “Her friends told her she was good at basketball.”
What is A?
Clue:
“They promised change. They promised progress. But here we are, three months later, with the same broken heaters, the same peeling paint, and the same excuses.”
What is the BEST word for the tone?
A. Joyful
B. Optimistic
C. Determined
D. Critical / disappointed
What is D – critical / disappointed?
“Great, I’ve just landed in the Hunger Games of middle school.”
a) Which type of figurative language is this?
b) What does this comparison suggest about how the character feels?
a) What is an allusion?
b) It suggests the character feels like school is intense, competitive, and maybe even dangerous or stressful—like a battle for survival.