CONTEXT CLUES
After Lily left home for college, her dad tried to sell the computer games she had played when she was little. However, he soon discovered they were OBSOLETE. What does OBSOLETE mean?
a) too easy b) out of date c) boring
b) out of date
The children danced to the music with merry JUBILATION. What does JUBILATION mean?
a) delight b) distress c) surprise
a) delight
The principal DICTATED that all students would be required to follow the school dress code. What does DICTATED mean?
a) asked b) knew c) commanded
c) commanded
Everyone complained about the BLAND taste of the potatoes. What does BLAND mean?
a) tasteless b)delicious c)wonderful
a) tasteless
Julia wasn't sure exactly what time they would arrive, but she thought the APPROXIMATE time would be around 5:00. What does APPROXIMATE mean?
a) estimated b) unknown c) exact
a) estimated
Mrs. Jones was nervous about flying on an airplane. She had never flown before. Her daughter REASSURED her by telling her that planes are very safe. What does REASSURED mean?
a) comforted b) reminded c) forced
a) comforted
The substitute teacher felt EXASPERATED because she could not get the students to stop talking and listen. What does EXASPERATED mean?
a) lonely b) frustrated c) depressed
b) frustrated
The full moon ILLUMINATED the sky so much that we did not need our flashlights. What would be a synonym for ILLUMINATED?
a) lit b) darkened c) filled
a) lit
Cindy raised her hand in order to ask the teacher to CLARIFY the directions. What does CLARIFY mean?
a)eliminate b)explain c)rewrite
b) explain
Dad thought the spaghetti sauce was too BLAND, so he added more garlic. What does BLAND mean?
a) salty b) spicy c) mild
c) mild
The meadow was full of wildflowers. There were not many large plants, and tress were SPARSE. What does SPARSE mean?
a) many b) few c) large
b) few
Arnold approached the snake CAUTIOUSLY. He thought it was dead, but he didn't know for sure. What does CAUTIOUSLY mean?
a) quickly b) carefully c) carelessly
b) carefully
Even though Paul was excited about the project, he wanted the other kids to think he was cool, so he answered the teacher's question in a NONCHALANT tone. What would be a synonym for NONCHALANT?
a) relaxed b) enthusiastic c) angry
a) relaxed
Due to the gas leak, they were asked to remain calm and VACATE the building. What does VACATE mean?
a)remain b)notify c)leave
c) leave
The black plague swept through Europe in the Middle Ages killing millions of people. In some villages, half the population PERISHED. What does PERISHED mean? .
a) got sick b) died c) escaped
b) died
The artist had used VIVID colors in the painting, which made it stand out in the otherwise drab room. What does VIVID mean?
a) dull b) tinted c) bright
c) bright
Susie could smell the AROMA of freshly baking bread as soon as she walked into the kitchen. What does AROMA mean?
a) scent b) sound c) stink
a) scent
Mrs. Olsen used to love to play the piano. But since she started to lose her hearing, she SELDOM plays anymore. What would be a synonym for SELDOM?
a) often b) usually c) rarely
c) rarely
The curtain was opened to REVEAL the new and improved version of the car. What does REVEAL mean?
a)show b)hide c)subside
a)show
That movie had an INTENSE effect on me. I could not stop thinking about it! What does INTENSE mean?
a) powerful b) mild c bad
a) powerful
Adrian liked his new laptop computer because it was light and PORTABLE. He took it with him everywhere! What does PORTABLE mean?
a) small b) movable c) high-tech
b) movable
Luke was COMPENSATED for the yard work he had done over the summer. He spent the money he had earned on a new bike. What does COMPENSATED mean?
a)thanked b) complimented c) paid
c) paid
Tanya's mother drives slowly when she gets close to the school and is careful to watch for PEDESTRIANS. What would be a synonym for PEDESTRIANS?
a) people walking b) pretty scenery c) fruit stands
a) people walking
Do not EVADE the question just because you don't want to admit the truth. What does EVADE mean?
a)avoid b)worsens c)lessens
a)avoid
Angela knew that there were NUMEROUS reasons why she should take the job, but she just did not want it. What does NUMEROUS mean?
a) a few b) many c) none
b) many