Context clues
Vocabulary
Figurative Language
Text Structure
Multi-meaning Words
100

An alien went into my closet and tried on every piece of apparel: sweaters, shirts, pants, hats, socks, scarves, and shoes.  What does apparel mean?

clothing

100

"I have fasted for many days, and am now very hungry," said the Great Spirit to the woman.  What is the meaning of the word fasted as used in the sentence?

not eaten

100

The twins are like apples and oranges.  Anna plays sports and, while Andrea is in the band.  What does the phrase like apples and oranges mean as it is used in this sentence?

They are very different

100

Why was the horse so happy?  Because he lived in a stable environment.  What are the two meanings of stable in this riddle?

A building where horses are kept and durable, lasting, or safe

100

A small building outside a house used to store things or to get rid of something like what a dog does with hair

shed
200

Mr. Johnson owned a haberdashery where he sold men’s suits, shirts, and ties.  What is the definition of haberdashery?

a men's clothing store

200

We have been studying the aftermath of volcanoes. Now I have to prepare an essay that includes this information.  What is the meaning of aftermath?


consequences; what happens after

200

Ella wanted to get out of work on time.  She filed all of the folders as quick as a bunny.  She was a star worker.  Which words represent the simile in this excerpt?

as quick as a bunny

200

What do you get when you throw a pumpkin on the ground?  Squash!  What are the two meanings of squash in this riddle?

A vegetable and to flatten

200

a lie or a cliff that falls sharply into the water

bluff

300

Rhinos have horns that are made of a substance similar to that of human fingernails and sometimes break off, but they regenerate, or grow back, with time. 

Which words in the paragraph help the reader understand the meaning of regenerate?

or grow back

300

Many people say I am very different from my twin sister. She is reticent, while I am very friendly and outgoing.  Use clues to determine the meaning of reticent.

shy

300

Ella wanted to gout out work on time.  She filed all of the folders as quick as a bunny.  She was a star worker.  What does the simile tell us about Ella?

Ella is working very quickly

300

I have been studying the water shortage crisis in several states. My report will include the facts I have found as well as various prevention techniques for future droughts. What type of text structure would best address this information?


Problem solution

300

What does the word staple mean in the following sentence:  Fresh fruit is an important dietary staple in many families. 

main part

400

Regina remembered when she had just two pairs of shoes. Now, her closet holds a plethora of shoes in almost every color and every style.  What does plethora mean?

Great quantity

400

A narrow valley between hills or mountain, typically with steep rocky walls and a stream running through it.  What does this define? 

a. preserve

b. tropical

c. altitude

d. gorge

gorge

400

I was so busy with soccer practice and rehearsing for the school play that doing my book report completely slipped my mind.  It didn't even occur to me that it was due the next day.  

What does the phrase "slipped my mind" mean as it is used in the paragraph?

did not remember

400

I have decided that I want a pet, but I do not know which one to get. My parents said I could choose between a cat and a dog. What type of text structure would best address this information?

Compare and contrast

400

What does the word racket mean in the following sentence:  What is going on down there with all that racket?

noise

500

The alien apologized for crashing his spaceship into my motorcycle, and even offered to buy me a new one. He was very friendly and cordial about it. What does cordial mean?

polite or friendly

500

At the art festival, my cousins would sell their pottery to tourists, while other artisans would sell paintings, woodworking, and other objects of art.  What does artisan mean?

someone skilled in the arts

500

My daddy is a tiger

My mother is a bear

My sister is a pest

Who messes with my hair

And even though my home

Is like living in a zoo

I know my family loves me

And will take care of me too

How many similes are in the poem above?


one

500

I want to study the order of events leading up to the American Revolution. I think I should start my research in the school library. What type of text structure would best address this information?


Chronological Order
500

What does the word racket mean in the following sentence:  The player could not find his racket so he could not play tennis with his friends. 

piece of equipment used for hitting a ball in tennis.