Name: _______________________________
Date: __________________________
Period: _____
Dictionary Skills/Context Clues - 4
Passage 1
Even with eyes protected by the green spectacles, Dorothy and her friends were at first
dazzled by the brilliancy of the wonderful City. The streets were lined with beautiful houses all
built of green marble and studded everywhere with sparkling emeralds. They walked over a
pavement of the same green marble, and where the blocks were joined together were rows of
emeralds, set closely, and glittering in the brightness of the sun. The window panes were of
green glass; even the sky above the City had a green tint, and the rays of the sun were green.
1. Look at the dictionary entry below.
spectacle / spek-tuh-kuh l/ n. 1. Anything presented to
the sight or view, especially something of a striking or
impressive kind. 2. A public show or display, especially on a
large scale 3. Eyeglasses, especially with pieces passing
over or around the ears for holding them in place. 4. To
call attention to one’s behavior.
What does the word spectacles mean?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Definition
Definition
Definition
Definition
1
2
3
4
2. Look at the dictionary entry below.
marble / mahr-buh l/ n. 1. Metamorphed limestone
used in sculpture and architecture 2. A block or work
of art of marble 3. A small round glass or stone ball
used in playing marbles 4. adj. cold, hard, or
unresponsive
What does the word marble mean?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Definition
Definition
Definition
Definition
1
2
3
4
Passage 2
For some people Christmas and the New Year are very merry times; but for cabmen and
cabmen’s horses it is no holiday, though it may be a harvest. There are so many parties, balls,
and places of amusement open that the work is hard and often late. Sometimes driver and horse
have to wait for hours in the rain or frost, shivering with the cold, while the merry people within
are dancing away to the music. I wonder if the beautiful ladies ever think of the weary cabman
waiting on his box, and his patient beast standing, till his legs get stiff with cold.
3. Look at the dictionary entry below.
ball / bawl/ n. 1. A spherical or nearly spherical
body or mass 2. A round or roundish body, either
solid or hollow, of a size and composition suitable
for any various games 3. A social function for
dancing, esp one that is lavish or formal 4. A very
enjoyable time
In paragraph 1, what does the word balls mean?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Definition
Definition
Definition
Definition
1
2
3
4
4. Look at the dictionary entry below.
patient / pey-shuh n. 1. A person who is under
medical care or treatment 2. A person or thing that is
the recipient of some action 3. adj. enduring difficult
circumstances with even temper 4. Capable of
accepting delay with calmness
In paragraph 2, what does the word patient mean?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Definition
Definition
Definition
Definition
1
2
3
4