Context Clues 1
Unlike my parents, who love classical music, I detest it. What does detest mean?
Hate/Strongly dislike
Everyone contributed something for the food drive. Anna and her family donated a large bag of canned goods. What does contributed mean?
Gave
Alice woke up feeling wretched. She was covered with sweat and had a headache. What does wretched mean?
Feeling bad/miserable
Bobby never realized how ignorant he had been about matters of the home until his wife got sick and he had to manage the house alone. What does ignorant mean?
To not know about/not understand
After taking the lift to the top Doug was reluctant to ski down the mountain. His friend Bob was eager to take off. Slowly, Bob got Doug to try to ski.
What does reluctant mean?
a. happy
b. unwilling
c. ready
d. keen
Unwilling
My mom would not permit me to ride my bike to the store. However, she would let my older sister ride her bike to the store. What does permit mean?
Allow
Jenny told me about the movie she saw, but did not reveal the ending because she knew I was going to see it next weekend. What does reveal mean?
Tell
After receiving just a single slice of pizza at the party, Kevin was disappointed. He had hoped for a more substantial portion. What does substantial mean?
Greater/bigger
Megan did not like the new girl because she was rich, haughty, and kept her nose up high. What does haughty mean?
Being very proud/conceded
If you don't curtail your spending, you'll be broke in no time at all!
Which word is a synonym of "curtail"?
a. reduce
b. follow
c. behind
d. buy
Reduce
Becky had waited all week to go to the beach. She was so eager to leave on Saturday morning that she woke everyone up at 6:00! What does eager mean?
Excited
Lucy was furious when she discovered that her dog had eaten her homework again! What does furious mean?
Very angry
We can still make it to the movie on time if we make haste! What does haste mean?
Move quickly/hurry
After the quarterback from the visiting team snuck in for another touchdown, the mood over the home team's bleachers grew quite dreary. What does dreary mean?
Dull/depressing
An article in the newspaper says that the Harry Potter series is responsible for the dwindling number of wild owls in America. This is happening because the wild owls are being trapped and sold as pets to kids who are fans of the Harry Potter books.
What does dwindling mean?
a. appearing in movies
b. becoming less
c. flying
d. becoming more
e. living in trees
Becoming less
The bookshelf was sturdy enough to hold all of Nathan's books without falling apart. What does sturdy mean?
Strong
I told the teacher I was late because my mom overslept. She said that excuse was not plausible because she saw my mom drive by early in the morning. What does plausible mean?
Likely/Possible
Lance felt that it would be proper to ask Barbie's father for permission to marry her. What does proper mean?
To be polite
My father and Mr. McClure, our neighbor, have had a dispute as to the property line separating our two houses ever since Mr. McClure planned to build a fence. What does dispute mean?
Disagreement/argument
The young girl is working day and night to knit scarves to send as gifts for the soldiers. What a selfless person she is!
A selfless person:
a. is selfish
b. has no name
c. is too young to work
d. likes scarves
e. cares more about others than herself
Cares more about others than herself
Ben ate three pieces of cake and two scoops of ice cream. An hour later, his stomach felt queasy and he decided to lie down for awhile. What does queasy mean?
Sick
The severe weather caused many roads to close. School was cancelled and everyone stayed indoors. What does severe mean?
Harsh
Vinnie thought that the 5K run would be a breeze, but after he got about a mile into it, he started to straggle behind the rest of the group. What does straggle mean?
Move slowly and fall behind the group
Bobby thought that Clyde's theories about their substitute teacher being an alien were absurd. What does absurd mean?
Unreasonable
Grandpa didn’t know that Suzie was coming along on the fishing trip, and now he had to alter what time he leaves.
What does "alter" mean?
a. quit
b. leave
c. change
d. later
Change