Context Clues
Read this sentence: "The boy trudged home after the long hike." What does "trudged" most likely mean? (A: walked slowly or heavily)
walked slowly or heavily;
Give a synonym for "happy." (A: glad, joyful, pleased)
glad/joyful/pleased
What does the prefix "un-" mean in the word "unhappy"?
un- = not
What is one meaning of "bat"?
an animal; also: a stick used in baseball
Divide the word "monster" into syllables and clap them.
mon-ster; 2 syllables
When Maya glanced at the menu, she hesitated. The word 'exotic' caught her eye.
Using context clues, what does "exotic" most likely mean? (A: unusual or from far away)
unusual/from far away
Give an antonym for "arrive."
depart/leave
The suffix "-ful" in "hopeful" changes the word to mean what?
ful = full of
Use the word "park" in two different ways (two meanings).
place to play outside; to leave a car
Which syllable is stressed in "yellow"?
first syllable — YEL-low
The classroom buzzed with whispers and giggles during the surprise.
What does "buzzed" mean in this sentence? (A: was full of quiet excited talk)
full of quiet excited talk
Which word is a synonym for "gigantic": tiny, enormous, calm?
enormous
Break the word "replay" into its prefix and root and explain the meaning.
re- + play = play again
The word "bark" can mean a sound a dog makes and the outside of a tree. Use each meaning in a short sentence.
The dog's bark woke me. The tree's bark is rough.
Break "incredible" into syllables and say which part is the root.
in- cred- i- ble; root: cred (believe)
After spilling his juice, Tim's shirt was ruined. He was mortified.
What does "mortified" most likely mean here? (A: embarrassed or ashamed)
embarrassed/ashamed
Provide a synonym and an antonym for "generous."
giving/kind and selfish
The root "spect" means "to look." What does "inspect" mean using that root?
inspect = to look closely
The word "fair" can mean an event or something that is just. Explain both meanings in one sentence each.
Read this two-syllable word silently: "pilot." Then identify the vowel sound in the first syllable.
/ī/ or long i sound in "pi-"
The ancient map was tattered and brittle, edges frayed from age.
Which word gives the best clue that the map is old and fragile? Explain the clue. (A: "brittle" or "frayed" — they show it's weak and worn)
brittle"/"frayed" indicate old/fragile.
Choose the pair that are antonyms: (A) frantic / calm (B) eager / keen (C) brief / short. Explain your choice.
A — frantic/calm opposite.
Explain how the meaning changes between "agree," "disagree," and "agreement" using affixes.
disagree = not agree; agreement = act/state of agreeing.
Choose a multiple-meaning word (e.g., "row") and write three different sentences showing three meanings (e.g., a line, to argue, to paddle).
Example sentences provided by students
Give a strategy for decoding a multisyllabic word like "transportation."
break into syllables (trans-por-ta-tion)