Use Context Clues!
The timid kitten, shy and nervous, hid under the couch. What does timid mean?
What is shy or scared?
The beanstalk was colossal, towering higher than any mountain Jack had ever seen. What does colossal mean?
What is extremely large?
The glumpwobble, a shy and squishy forest creature, hid behind a tree when it saw us. What does glumpwobble most likely mean?
What is a shy or gentle creature?
What should you do before jumping into the questions?
What is read the entire passage carefully?
Bias
Definition: An unfair preference for or against something or someone.
Rather than being hostile, she was friendly and welcoming. What does hostile mean?
What is unfriendly or aggressive?
The cloud sculptor worked with delicate skill, his fingers nimble and fast as he shaped dragons from vapor. What does nimble mean?
What is quick and skillful?
The wizard’s spell caused a ruckus—books flew, cauldrons clanged, and a dragon sneezed fire in the library. What does ruckus most likely mean?
What is a noisy disturbance or commotion?
What should you do with the text while reading to stay focused?
What is annotate or underline key details?
Inevitable
Definition: Something that is certain to happen; it can’t be avoided.
He loves confectionery—chocolates, candies, and other sweet treats.
What are sweet foods or desserts?
As a toadstool translator, he was adept at interpreting frog gibberish into fairy speak. What does adept mean?
What is highly skilled or talented?
The enchanted scroll began to disintegrate, falling apart into glowing dust before our eyes. What does disintegrate mean?
What is to break apart or crumble?
What kind of information should you highlight in nonfiction?
What are main ideas, facts, and supporting evidence?
Eloquent
Definition: Able to speak or write clearly and beautifully.
He tried to suppress a laugh during the serious assembly. What does suppress most likely mean?
What is to hold back or stop?
Cinderella’s gown was so resplendent that it sparkled brighter than the stars. What does resplendent mean?
What is shining or dazzling in appearance?
The magical map bewildered them—it spun, blinked, and told jokes instead of directions. What does bewildered mean?
What is confused or puzzled?
Why is it helpful to reread confusing paragraphs?
What is to better understand meaning or tone?
Persevere
Definition: To keep going, even when something is difficult.
She gave a curt reply and walked away, not wanting to talk. What does curt most likely mean?
What is short and rude?
The gnome gave a cryptic warning: “Beware the whispering toadstools,” then vanished. What does cryptic mean?
What is mysterious or hard to understand?
She was apprehensive about opening the glowing mailbox that hissed slightly. What does apprehensive mean?
What is nervous or unsure?
What should you look for in fiction to understand the theme?
What are character actions, conflicts, and changes?
Ambiguous
Definition: Something that has more than one meaning or is unclear.