Context Clues
Maya was exhausted after running the race. She could barely keep her eyes open and immediately went to bed.
What does exhausted mean?
Tired
Lena practiced her piano piece every afternoon, even when she made mistakes. At first, she struggled to play the song correctly. After several weeks of practice, she finally performed it perfectly at the school concert.
What is the theme of this passage?
Practice can lead to success.
I sat on the bench while Mother and Punch went into the room. I was a little worried about Punch, but I knew that he would get good care. As I waited I watched a tiny puppy wander toward the lady with a cat in a crate. The lady at the desk talked to a man with who was buying medicine.
Where does this take place?
Veterinarian's office
Inference: Marcus is nervous about giving his presentation.
Which piece of evidence best supports this inference?
A. Marcus finished making his poster the night before.
B. Marcus stood in front of the class, took a deep breath, and kept rubbing his hands together.
C. Marcus practiced his presentation with his brother.
D. Marcus put his poster on the classroom wall.
B
The kitten was timid around strangers. It hid under the couch whenever someone new entered the room.
What does timid mean?
Shy or nervous
Jordan noticed that his new classmate, Amir, always ate lunch alone. One day, Jordan invited Amir to sit with him and his friends. Soon, Amir made several new friends and felt much more comfortable at school.
What is the theme of this passage?
A small act of kindness can make someone feel included.
The room was dark and quiet. We heard Carl and his mother come in the front door talking. I heard two girls in the corner giggle nervously. Another girl told them to be quiet. I hid behind the table where the cake and presents were set out. The tension in the room grew as we waited for them to open the door.
What is happening?
A surprise party
Inference: Elena really enjoys reading.
Which piece of evidence best supports this inference?
A. Elena carries a book with her wherever she goes and reads during free time.
B. Elena keeps her books on a shelf in her bedroom.
C. Elena has a library card.
D. Elena's teacher assigned the class a novel.
A
Marcus was famished after spending the entire afternoon playing soccer. He quickly ate two sandwiches and a bowl of fruit.
What does famished mean?
Starving or hungry
Sofia wanted to win the science fair, so she copied part of another student's project. When the judges discovered what she had done, Sofia lost the chance to compete. She realized that being honest was more important than winning.
What is the theme of this passage?
Honesty is more important than success gained by cheating.
The line stretched forever. People put their bags on the floor and inched them forward. My father and I removed our shoes. There was an announcement about a gate change and a delay on an arrival from Chicago.
Where is this taking place?
An airport
Inference: The soccer team is disappointed about losing the game.
Which piece of evidence best supports this inference?
A. The players shook hands with the other team after the game.
B. The players laughed and joked while leaving the field.
C. The players walked quietly toward the bus with their heads down.
D. The coach reminded everyone about practice tomorrow.
C
The teacher told the students to conserve paper by using both sides of each sheet.
What does conserve mean?
Use carefully, not waste
Ethan's friends wanted him to quit the basketball team because he wasn't very good at first. Instead, Ethan continued practicing every day. By the end of the season, he had improved enough to become one of the team's strongest players.
Which statement best expresses the theme?
People can improve when they work hard and don't give up.
I arrived early for my appointment. The place was busy and smelled of chemicals. I found a place to sit and wait. The lady next to me had a towel around her head. I heard a blow dryer in the distance.
What is the setting of this story?
A hair salon
Inference: Carlos is being responsible with his schoolwork.
Which piece of evidence best supports this inference?
A. Carlos finished his homework early and checked his answers before putting it in his backpack.
B. Carlos talked with his friends during study hall.
C. Carlos forgot his pencil at home.
D. Carlos asked his teacher what the homework assignment was.
A
The old house was dilapidated. Its windows were broken, the paint was peeling, and the roof had several holes.
What does dilapidated mean?
Damaged, in poor condition, run down
Mia saved her allowance for several months to buy a new bike. Her friends encouraged her to spend the money on snacks and games, but she continued saving. When she finally had enough money, she was proud that she had reached her goal.
What is the theme of this passage?
Being persistent can help you achieve your goals.
As I entered the door, I thought this was a great way to end the day. The chalkboard menu had a list of specialties, like sundaes and banana splits. I looked at all the flavors. Chocolate is my favorite, but peppermint sounded good, too.
What is the setting of this story?
An ice cream shop
Inference: The family is preparing for a storm.
Which piece of evidence best supports this inference?
A. The family watched television together after dinner.
B. The family bought bottled water, batteries, and canned food and brought outdoor furniture inside.
C. The family went for a walk around the neighborhood.
D. The family ordered pizza for dinner.
B