Context Clues
Main idea
Colonial Trades
100
When a whip is snapped, it makes a loud cracking sound. Whips can accelerate to a speed of more than 700 mph. In this passage, the word accelerate means: A. stay the same B. make a loud noise C. go slower D. get faster
D. get faster
100
The Richter scale measures the strength of an earthquake. an earthquake measuring 2.0 is a weak one. A quake that measures 8.0 is very strong. The earthquake that hit San Francisco in 1906 was about an 8.25. The main idea of the passage is: A. how to survive an earthquake B. the San Francisco earthquake was really strong C. ways to measure energy D. the Richter scale is tells how strong an earthquake is
D. the Richter scale is tells how strong an earthquake is
100
Which colonial trade used an anvil?
The Blacksmith
200
Algae provide camouflage for the sloth in the green treetops. Looking the same as its environment is very helpful because a sloth can't move fast enough to escape predators. In this passage, the word camouflage means: A. blend in B. transportation C. entertainment D. nutrition
A. blend in
200
Each year a tree grows a layer of new wood just under the bark. When the trunk or a branch is cut, the layers look like rings. Each ring shows one year of growth. To tell how old a tree is, count the rings. The main idea of the passage is: A. Trees can live a long time. B. Trees are easy to cut down. C. Trees have many rings. D. The rings of a tree show how old it is.
D. The rings of a tree show how old it is.
200
Which colonial trade helped people get information about what was happening in the village?
The printer
300
Many spiders have hideouts in places such as window corners or under their sills. They line the entrances of these places with their webs. In this passage, the word line most likely means: A. connect B. open C. cover D. straight
C. cover
300
Dolphins are very smart animals. They even have their own language. They talk to each other with clicks, whistles, and grunts. Scientists have been studying this dolphin language. They hope that in the future, people and dolphins will be able to talk to each other. The main idea of the passage is: A. Scientists enjoy studying how dolphins talk. B. Dolphins are very intelligent. C. Dolphins are different from other animals. D. People are a lot like dolphins
B. Dolphins are very intelligent.
300
Which tradesperson needed a to be good at working with leather? (NOT the Leathermaker!!)
The Shoemaker
400
During the Chinese New Year, people wear dragon costumes and prance through the streets. In this passage, the word prance most likely means: A. practice hard B. dance playfully C. play tricks D. walk carefully
B. dance playfully
400
Camels have adapted well to the desert. The large humps on their backs hold fat that can serve as food. Camels don't sweat very much, so they don't need much water. The camel's broad feet don't sink in the sand. The main idea of the passage is: A. Camels are perfect animals for the desert. B. The hump of the camel is very useful C. Camels can easily walk in the sand D. Camels don't need lots of water.
A. Camels are perfect animals for the desert.
400
If you needed to build a barn, which tradesperson would you need to talk to?
The Carpenter
500
Nowadays, there are trained dog groomers, clothes for dogs, and even custom beds for these pampered animals. But giving your pets too much might not be a good thing. In this passage, the word pampered most likely means: A. wearing diapers B. tired C. spoiled D. difficult
C. spoiled
500
The dandelion is a common weed. It has a bright yellow flower. The leaves are shaped like lion's teeth. Its name comes from three French words, dent de lion. Those words mean "tooth of the lion." The main idea of the passage is: A. Some flowers are common weeds B. How the dandelion got its name C. A lion's teeth are like flowers D. Dandelions are a flower
B. How the dandelion got its name
500
Which tradesperson would you talk to if you had some money you wanted to keep safe?
The Silversmith