Context Clues

Context Clues: Use the words in the passage to hunt for clues as to the meaning of the unknown word.

Example: After writing a very detailed letter to his grandmother in Germany, Timmy also included a postscript ( PS) at the end to tell his grandmother that he hoped to hear from her soon.

Postscript means: to write after/ at the end

Example: Margaret ( herd, heard) the sound of the buffalo in the distance.

Answer: heard

4 Types of Context Clues:

Examples Synonyms & Definitions Antonyms & Definitions Experience or Sense of the Sentence

Name__________________ Homework #1 Due Date:______________

Context Clues

1. The Amish are very humble people, unlike the uppity people in the surrounding communities.

Using the contrast clue, the word uppity in this sentence means

spiteful reformed stuck-up relieved

2. The game started out tedious, but it got exciting in the end when it was tied with three runners on base.

Using the contrast clue, the word tedious in this sentence means

awful slow fun boring

3. The voters were so upset about the outcome of the election that a skirmish broke out and the police had to break it up.

Using the explanation clue, the word skirmish in this sentence means

creature hurricane sunshine fight

4. Ian's favorite avocation was to play the violin. It was his first source of amusement whenever he had some free time.

Using the comparison clue, the word avocation in this sentence means

trade hobby job career

5. Ashley stared at the newest style of jeans in the catalog. She just had to have them. Her birthday money was not quite enough to cover the expense. Although she didn't want to grovel, she decided to plead with her parents for the money to buy them.

Using the synonym clue, the word grovel in this sentence means

revolt network plead resist

6. Throngs of people shopped at the mall the week before Christmas.

Using the explanation clue, the word throngs in this sentence means

little number few crowds no one

Name______________ Homework #2 Due Date:_________

Context Clues: Contrast Clues

1. Being unselfish is rewarding, while being inconsiderate can cost you many friendships.

In this sentence, the word inconsiderate means cultured selfish firm influenced

2. The bank robber kept a hostage captive for twenty-four hours until he decided to emancipate him.

In this sentence, the word emancipate means keep free hold captive

3. Lori's mom stayed awake with the sick baby all night but found herself in quite the stupor the next day.

In this sentence, the word stupor means awake energetic tired state enthusiastic

4. The departing president of the organization gave his valediction. When he was through, he welcomed the new president to the podium.

In this sentence, the word valediction means beginning welcome farewell starting

5. The science project was easy, but the math homework was arduous.

In this sentence, the word arduous means difficult easy wet simple

6. The man who lives next door spoke brusquely to the young children, unlike his wife who is always polite.

In this sentence, the word brusquely means kindly courteously gruffly or impolitely calmly

7. The preliminary results are not necessarily the same as the final results.

In this sentence, the word preliminary means conclusion

8. She talks about others malevolently, unlike her sister who would never say a mean thing about anyone.

In this sentence, the word malevolently means

first final last

kindly meanly or maliciously quietly warmly

Name_____________________ Homework #3 Due Date:____________________

Context Clues: Comparison Clues

1. The unsubstantial story was as if she were 2. Since none of us brought an umbrella, we stood

retelling a dream.

In this sentence, the word unsubstantial means realistic true unreal

under the marquee outside the hotel until the rain stopped.

In this sentence, the word marquee means roof tree awning or covering

3. A noxious smell filled the building. The unpleasant odor made many people feel sick.

In this sentence, the word noxious means pleasant fragrant disgusting wonderful

4. The camaraderie in the class made it feel like a big family.

In this sentence, the word camaraderie means unkindness friendliness or kindness anger resentment

5. The twins were both crying at the same time so Mom tried to soothe one while Dad tried to mollify the other.

In this sentence, the word mollify means worry upset soothe make sad

6. The con artist hoodwinked Mom and Dad. They thought they were getting new windows for our home. Instead, they had their credit card information stolen.

In this sentence, the word hoodwinked means improved enhanced gifted deceived

7. Although the city wanted to raze the old hotel, the citizens fought them, and the hotel was saved from destruction.

In this sentence, the word raze means leave alone

8. Connor decided to matriculate at the local community college. He wanted to begin to pursue a degree at the school.

In this sentence, the word matriculate means abandon

raise destroy lifted

enroll resign quit

Name____________________ Homework #4 Due Date:__________________

Context Clues: Antonyms

1. During the emergency, Don was so upset he was inarticulate, but Cathy remained clear

2. Ann's room was beautiful and reflected her personality while George's room was the

enough to tell us what had happened.

In this sentence, the word inarticulate means clear unclear easily comprehended easy to understand

opposite, so nondescript.

In this sentence, the word nondescript means descriptive decorated recognized of no recognized type

3. In court, Carl defended himself against spurious accusations that he had robbed the local bank. The truth was revealed when the real crook was arrested.

In this sentence, the word spurious means false correct true genuine

4. The eccentric old woman lived in a house that was anything but normal.

In this sentence, the word eccentric means average odd or bizarre normal regular

5. The magnanimous crowd stood up for what they believed, but the others were too afraid.

In this sentence, the word magnanimous means instant brief identical heroic

6. The audience appreciated the brevity of the final speech. Many of the others were quite lengthy.

In this sentence, the word brevity means entirety shortness extended dullness

7. After hearing the beautiful orchestra play, other bands sound completely cacophonous.

In this sentence, the word cacophonous means harmonious musical

8. Some people are reticent, while others talk about their feelings freely.

In this sentence, the word reticent means open secretive

sweet sounding harsh or unmusical

talkative

Name____________________ Homework #5 Due Date:_________________

Context Clues: Synonyms

1. The young man had a robust appearance; that is, strong and healthy.

2. The man was sent to the penitentiary, or prison, for stealing cars.

In this sentence, the word robust means sick weak small healthy

In this sentence, the word penitentiary means prison heaven hotel paradise

3. Mom made a delicious chocolate cake for us. The combination of dark chocolate and whipped cream created a scrumptious dessert.

In this sentence, the word scrumptious means tasteless sour delicious terrible

4. During the transition, or change, we will need to put the fourth graders with the fifth graders.

In this sentence, the word transition means radio change morning during

5. The worshippers congregated, or gathered, for the church service.

In this sentence, the word congregated means went away left dispersed gathered

6. A melancholy sadness fell over the crowd after hearing the shocking news.

In this sentence, the word melancholy means good calm quiet depressed or sad

Name_________________ Homework #6 Due Date:___________

Context Clues: Explanations

1. The woman threw on her frock and ran outside, forgetting that she needed a belt around her

2. We could tell by the rotten smell, that something putrid was in our trash can.

dress.

In this sentence, the word frock means disregard woman's dress arch socks

In this sentence, the word putrid means appealing alive rotten ample

3. After the driver lost control of her automobile, the vehicle careened off the road. It went down a bank and slammed into a tree.

In this sentence, the word careened means zigzagged tidied arranged straightened

4. The criminal glanced furtively at the police officer to make sure he had not been seen.

In this sentence, the word furtively means loudly openly quickly and secretly slowly

5. The artist worked meticulously on the sculpture of the bear to make it look as realistic as possible.

In this sentence, the word meticulously means carelessly carefully or precisely sloppily quickly

6. Mr. Battles allowed us to choose our science project, so Eric chose to concoct, or invent, a product that would keep ice from melting in your glass.

In this sentence, the word concoct means perform invent diagram include

Name_________________ Homework #7 Due Date:__________

Context Clues: Example Sentences

1. Equestrian items would include saddles, horseshoes, and reins.

In this sentence, the word equestrian means

2. Projectiles include those items that are shot forward such as a cannon shell, bullet, or rocket.

having to do with the equator having to do with horses having to do with hair having to do with royalty

In this sentence, the word projectiles means things put down things hurt things shot forward things broken

3. In the fall, the bright foliage is a delight to see. Red, orange, and yellow leaves and vegetation paint the world for our enjoyment.

In this sentence, the word foliage means rocks leaves dirt houses

4. The emergency room doctors see patients with trauma, such as a broken bone, every night.

In this sentence, the word trauma means injury headaches goals plans

5. This summer we needed to move the pigs to their new pen. The old sow stubbornly refused to move. The old aphorism, "pig-headed," sure described her.

In this sentence, the word aphorism means falsehood untruth saying forgery

6. Many great orators such as Benjamin Franklin, Patrick Henry, and James Madison laid the foundation for our constitution.

In this sentence, the word orators means speakers writers critics poets

Name______________ Homework #8 Due Date:____________

Context Clues: Example Sentences

1. Plants from the arbutus group, such as flowering trees and shrubs with berries, grow mainly in North America.

Using the example clue, the word arbutus in this sentence means

group of trees and shrubs vegetable

fruit

2. Projectiles include those items that are shot forward such as a cannon shell, bullet, or rocket.

Using the example clue, the word projectiles in this sentence means

things hurt things put down

things shot forward things broken

3. The dark clouds were a caveat of the coming storm. It was not the only warning we received. The town tornado alarm sounded soon after and gave us enough notice to seek shelter.

Using the example clue, the word caveat in this sentence means

celebration warning

withdrawal keep

4. Candles, flashlights, and lamps illuminate the room.

Using the example clue, the word illuminate in this sentence means

lower light up

Darken

weaken

5. An edifice, such as the Empire State Building, can take years to build.

Using the example clue, the word edifice in this sentence means

large building concrete wall

steel coal mine

6. A colossus, such as the Statue of Liberty, can be seen for miles around.

Using the example clue, the word colossus in this sentence means

woman torch

airplane huge statue

Name__________________ Homework #9 Due Date:__________________

Context Clues: Explanations

1. In Great Britain, the police officer was called a constable.

Using the explanation clue, the word constable in this sentence means

criminal policeman

poor person jockey

2. The servant burnished the silver vase, rubbing hard to bring back the shine.

Using the explanation clue, the word burnished in this sentence means

muted polished

clouded pounded

3. Our new puppy was so rambunctious; all she wanted to do was run in circles around the house.

Using the explanation clue, the word rambunctious in this sentence means

quiet calm

laid-back energetic

4. The lawsuit was so frivolous that the judge dismissed the case and told the attorney not to bring any more silly cases into his court.

Using the explanation clue, the word frivolous in this sentence means

silly long

critical costly

5. Phyllis felt elated when she won the race.

Using the explanation clue, the word elated in this sentence means

miserable sick

tired happy

6. Vickie engaged in scintillating conversation with our guests and delighted each one.

Using the explanation clue, the word scintillating in this sentence means

turbulent dull

witty boring

Name________________ Homework #10 Due Date:_______

Context Clues: Synonyms1. During the transition, or change, we will need to put the fourth graders with the fifth graders.

Using the synonym clue, the word transition in this sentence means

morning change

radio during

2. Jackie was filled with mortification, or shame, because of her careless remark.

Using the synonym clue, the word mortification in this sentence means

happy confident

proud shame

3. The cop knocked the derringer, or gun, away from the bad guy.

Using the synonym clue, the word derringer in this sentence means

hat book

gun jewelry

4. We made tentative plans with the restaurant, even though we were still undecided when we would have her party.

Using the synonym clue, the word tentative in this sentence means

sure uncertain

definite certain

5. An unknown benefactor donated thousands of dollars to the homeless shelter.

Using the synonym clue, the word benefactor in this sentence means

receiver person

donor recipient

6. The witness began to prevaricate when questioned under oath. He hesitated instead of answering right away.

Using the synonym clue, the word prevaricate in this sentence means

hesitate continue

survive sustain

Name___________________ Homework #11 Due Date:__________________

Context Clues: Antonyms

1. The fumes were pernicious, not harmless.

Using the antonym clue, the word pernicious in this sentence means

harmless not dangerous

harmful safe

2. The sight of the ominous clouds told us that clear weather was far from our area.

Using the antonym clue, the word ominous in this sentence means

clear bright

fluffy stormy or dark

3. Although she was skeptical about our plan at first, she finally believed that it would be a good idea.

Using the antonym clue, the word skeptical in this sentence means

social brave

doubting relieved

4. I could not fathom why the Seattle Seahawks lost to the worst team in the league, but I guess football can be a little confusing at times.

Using the antonym clue, the word fathom in this sentence means

win understand

increase boast

5. Using certain body language is illicit in some countries, but allowed in others.

Using the antonym clue, the word illicit in this sentence means

dumb awkward

cool forbidden

6. Mary always brought a sense of serenity home with her because of her calm ways, while Max brought a sense of chaos with him.

Using the antonym clue, the word serenity in this sentence means

disorder confusion

chaos calmness

Name___________________ Homework # 12 Due Date:________________

Context Clues: Comparison Clues

1. Although the city wanted to raze the old hotel, the citizens fought them, and the hotel was saved from destruction.

Using the comparison clue, the word raze in this sentence means

destroy lifted

raise leave alone

2. Jill's capricious behavior shows up when she speaks out of turn.

Using the comparison clue, the word capricious in this sentence means

careful stable

steady careless

3. The unsubstantial story was as if she were retelling a dream.

Using the comparison clue, the word unsubstantial in this sentence means

true unreal

realistic

4. The mother was determined to prove her son's innocence; the father was resolute as well.

Using the comparison clue, the word resolute in this sentence means

determined wavering

not determined unsure

5. Although the cabinet was ligneous, it wasn't made with real wood.

Using the comparison clue, the word ligneous in this sentence means

empty brown

native wood-like

6. When Mother became ill and needed help, Grandma's visit turned out to be fortuitous.

Using the comparison clue, the word fortuitous in this sentence means

well timed unhelpful

long badly timed

Name__________________ Homework #13 Due Date:_______________

Context Clues: Contrast Clues

1. The science project was easy, but the math homework was arduous.

Using the contrast clue, the word arduous in this sentence means

wet difficult

simple easy

2. Honesty is the best policy because being fraudulent can get you in big trouble with your parents.

Using the contrast clue, the word fraudulent in this sentence means

pure focused

dishonest sassy

3. The disabled woman overcame great adversity in order to compete in the marathon.

Using the contrast clue, the word adversity in this sentence means

difficulty chance

ease opportunity

4. The behavior in the classroom was calm, but the behavior in the lunchroom was obstreperous.

Using the contrast clue, the word obstreperous in this sentence means

quiet calm

peaceful noisy and unruly

5. The bank robber kept a hostage captive for twenty-four hours until he decided to emancipate him.

Using the contrast clue, the word emancipate in this sentence means

captive hold

free keep

6. He walked nonchalantly to his next class, unlike the other students who were running to get to theirs.

Using the contrast clue, the word nonchalantly in this sentence means

easygoing or uncaring concerned

excited worried

Name____________________ Homework #14 Due Date:_______________

Context Clues

1. The unsubstantial story was as if she were retelling a dream.

Using the comparison clue, the word unsubstantial in this sentence means

unreal realistic

true

2. Lori's mom stayed awake with the sick baby all night but found herself in quite the stupor the next day.

Using the contrast clue, the word stupor in this sentence means

tired state energetic

awake enthusiastic

3. Marie is quite a bibliophile. Her love for books is evident by her enormous library.

Using the synonym clue, the word bibliophile in this sentence means

animal lover book lover

plant lover money lover

4. We should be careful not to ostracize those who are different from us. It is much better for all if we are welcoming to everyone.

Using the antonym clue, the word ostracize in this sentence means

embrace exclude

welcome include

5. Many great orators such as Benjamin Franklin, Patrick Henry, and James Madison laid the foundation for our constitution.

Using the example clue, the word orators in this sentence means

critics speakers

writers poets

6. The student tried to assimilate the information so that he could understand how satellites orbit in space.

Using the explanation clue, the word assimilate in this sentence means

not get not learn

miss comprehend or learn