Context Clues
Read the passage and answer the question.
No matter where you go, the Internet is following you. Almost every portable device is being made with an Internet connection. Most new TVs and many other appliances come with Internet connections as well. The Internet is truly ubiquitous.
The word ubiquitous means...
A) something that is fuzzy and will bite you
B) something that is everywhere
C) something costs too much money
D) something causes rashes
B) something is everywhere
Read the passage and answer the question.
W.C. Coup partnered with P.T. Barnum in 1871 to expand their new traveling circus using locomotive. Before circus trains, these operators had to lug around all of their animals, performers, and equipment with a team of more than 600 horses. Since there were no highways, these voyages were rough and took a long time.
Why does the circus use locomotives?
A) Barnum and Coup wish to stay in one place
B) Barnum and Coup wish to travel to places
C) Barnum and Coup don't use locomotives
D) Barnum and Coup like horses
B) Barnum and Coup wish to travel to places
Read the passage and answer the question.
Carla took out the red crayon. The tips of the new crayons were more pointed than her old ones. They made nice thin lines. Carla started to color. She colored and colored with the new red crayon. Soon Carla noticed that the tip of the new red crayon was starting to wear down.
What is an effect of Carla using her crayons?
A) She was forced to wear red clothes to school
B) She learned about where crayons came from
C) She had to sleep with her crayons
D) She learned that used crayons wore down
D) She learned that used crayons wore down
Which sentence best communicates a sense of celebration?
a) "You should spend the weekend over at my house for the 4th of July."
b) Judy elaborated on the traditional Irish dancing festival while Matthew listened intently.
c) We congratulated each other for winning the game while welcoming the next team to the field.
d) The next day, Ryan's aunt woke him.
c) We congratulated each other for winning the game while welcoming the next time to the field.
Read the passage and answer the question.
Carla took out the red crayon. The tips of the new crayons were more pointed than her old ones. They made nice thin lines. Carla started to color. She colored and colored with the new red crayon. Soon Carla noticed that the tip of the new red crayon was starting to wear down.
The reader may infer that Carla chooses the red crayon because...
it is her favorite color; she wants to color with it
Read the passage and answer the question.
I believe that if you lower taxes so that people can keep more of the money they earn, it will be an incentive for them to work harder.
What does incentive mean?
A) a reason to do something
B) a small amount of money
C) a tax
D) a good job
A) a reason to do something
Read the passage and answer the question.
Carla loves to color. It is one of her favorite things to do. She would color all day long if she could. When it was almost time to start kindergarten, Carla got a brand new box of crayons. She took the new crayon box to her room. There are so many colors! She found one of her coloring books, and opened the new box of crayons for the first time.
After Carla received her new box of crayons, she ____________.
takes the new crayon box to her room
Read the passage and answer the question.
Carla loves to color. It is one of her favorite things to do. She would color all day long if she could. When it was almost time to start kindergarten, Carla got a brand new box of crayons. She took the new crayon box to her room. There are so many colors! She found one of her coloring books, and opened the new box of crayons for the first time.
CAUSE:
Carla had to go to kindergarten.
EFFECT:
A) Carla's parents didn't want her to go.
B) Carla had to learn how to tie her shoes.
C) Carla was given crayons to use.
D) Carla colored the front door of her house red.
C) Carla was given crayons to use.
Read the passage and answer the question.
Harry sprinkled too much garlic on his pizza. Again, Lara’s criticism was straightforward. “Someone give this guy a breath mint!” she exclaimed. That’s when Harry realized that being blunt was overrated.
To make this sentence more positive, which word best replaces blunt?
A) unceremonious
B) truthful
C) indelicate
D) cheerful
B) truthful
Read the passage and answer the question.
Carla loves to color. It is one of her favorite things to do. She would color all day long if she could. When it was almost time to start kindergarten, Carla got a brand new box of crayons. She took the new crayon box to her room. There are so many colors! She found one of her coloring books, and opened the new box of crayons for the first time.
Which word best describes Carla's feelings as she opens her box of crayons for the first time?
A) Sympathetic
B) Uncertain
C) Ecstatic
D) Confused
C) Ecstatic
Read the passage and answer the question.
If you don't curtail your spending, you'll be broke in no time at all!
What does curtail mean?
A) follow
B) reduce
C) behind
D) buy
B) reduce
Read the passage and answer the question.
Carla looked at the new crayons. She looked at her old crayons in their old yellow box. Then she put the red crayon back in the box. She decided she would save her new crayons for school.
Which event is the resolution of the story?
Carla decided to save her new crayons for school.
Read the passage and answer the question.
Circuses would stop at many small towns between the large venues. Performing at many of these small towns was not very profitable. Because of these limitations, circuses could not grow as large as the imaginations of the operators. After they began using circus trains, Barnum and Coup only brought their show to large cities. These performances were much more profitable and the profits went toward creating an even bigger and better circus.
Why did Barnum and Coup start performing in only large cities?
A) They were more profitable
B) No one came to their performances
C) There weren't any small towns around
D) They lost money going to large cities
A) They were more profitable
Read the passage and answer the question.
The odor of stew hung in the air. As a nosy James glared into the roiling concoction, he could see the scrawny carrots he had grown this fall.
To make this sentence more positive, which word best replaces odor.
A) fruit
B) scent
C) stink
D) taste
B) scent
Read the passage and answer the question.
Carla loves to color. It is one of her favorite things to do. She would color all day long if she could. When it was almost time to start kindergarten, Carla got a brand new box of crayons. She took the new crayon box to her room. There are so many colors! She found one of her coloring books, and opened the new box of crayons for the first time.
The author assumes that the reader most likely knows that...
A) crayons symbolize luck for Carla
B) crayons symbolize wealth for Carla
C) crayons symbolize happiness for Carla
D) crayons symbolize good fortune for Carla
C) crayons symbolize happiness for Carla
Read the passage and answer the question.
In the early 1600s, a dangerous trip across the Atlantic Ocean was a daunting idea. The Europeans, who would someday be known as the Pilgrims, must have been a very determined and brave group of settlers.
The word daunting means...
A) tickle
B) amuse
C) lose or misplace
D) frighten or intimidate
D) frighten or intimidate
Read the passage and answer the question.
Circuses would stop at many small towns between the large venues. Performing at many of these small towns was not very profitable. Because of these limitations, circuses could not grow as large as the imaginations of the operators. After they began using circus trains, Barnum and Coup only brought their show to large cities. These performances were much more profitable and the profits went toward creating an even bigger and better circus.
After Barnum and Coup go to large cities they...
A) start to travel by plane
B) created a larger and more magnificent circus
C) start to spend their money on lottery
D) became the mayors of the cities
B) created a larger and more magnificent circus
Read the passage and answer the question.
W.C. Coup partnered with P.T. Barnum in 1871 to expand their new traveling circus using locomotive. Before circus trains, these operators had to lug around all of their animals, performers, and equipment with a team of more than 600 horses. Since there were no highways, these voyages were rough and took a long time.
What is an effect of Barnum and Coup's partnership?
A) They formed a traveling circus
B) They became best friends
C) They moved to another country
D) They ended up fighting a lot
A) They formed a traveling circus
Read the passage below and answer the question.
When Gautam met Jennifer, he found her honesty refreshing. He had never met anyone who could be so candid, even when it might be easier to lie.
Which three words have the most positive connotations?
A) Honesty
B) Refreshing
C) Candid
D) Lie
A) Honesty
B) Refreshing
C) Candid
Read the passage and answer the question.
“I must have your wedding ring,” my father told my mother. Dad left with mom’s ring and the coupon for 50% off additional diamonds. He had to make sure she didn’t see the coupon because their anniversary is in two weeks.
The reader may infer that Dad most likely...
A) Is going to buy mom a new ring
B) Is going to add diamonds to mom's ring
C) Is going to make a restaurant reservation
D) Is going to the grocery store
B) Is going to add diamonds to mom's ring
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Jordan's mother had even worn green on St. Patrick's Day. The color green signifies luck and is believed to drive away unfavorable events.
The word signifies means...
A) to disagree
B) to invalidate
C) to dissuade
D) to symbolize
D) to symbolize
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The earliest people did not have a written language. Instead, people learned things by telling and listening to stories. How did storytellers recall everything? Some drew pictures on cave walls to help them remember. Some made up chants to the rhythm of drums. Other storytellers made belts or necklaces. Colored threads, beads, and special knots stood for different events.
Why did storytellers make belts or necklaces?
A) Because they were fashionable
B) Because people were expected to wear them
C) To teach people things
D) To sell them at far-away markets
C) To teach people things
Read the passage and answer the question.
The earliest people did not have a written language. Instead, people learned things by telling and listening to stories. How did storytellers recall everything? Some drew pictures on cave walls to help them remember. Some made up chants to the rhythm of drums. Other storytellers made belts or necklaces. Colored threads, beads, and special knots stood for different events.
CAUSE: People told stories by speaking and listening.
EFFECT:
A) People made up a written language.
B) People already knew a written language.
C) People made up chants to remember stories.
D) People made up stories as they spoke.
C) People made up chants to remember stories.
Read the passage and answer the question.
Verve! was created with cutting-edge science to ensure you get all the healthy vitamins and minerals you need to get your day started. But unlike most “healthy” cereals, the taste of Verve! is exceptional.
Which three words have the most positive connotations?
A) healthy
B) exceptional
C) unlike
D) cutting-edge
A) healthy
B) exceptional
D) cutting-edge
Read the passage and answer the question.
I was the third act out of eight acts for the PVMS Talent Show. Once all eight contestants performed, the judges walked on stage. They awarded participation prizes for the top three contestants. Everyone was quiet and I grabbed my best friend’s hand as I prepared to go on stage. I didn't want my nerves to get the best of me.
Which word best describes the narrator's feelings as he/she prepares to perform?
A) Ecstatic
B) Uncertain
C) Sympathetic
D) Amused
B) Uncertain