Name _____________________________
Date ___________________
Context Clues: Example Sentences
1. Sunlight can't shine through opaque objects like brick walls and wooden doors.
Using the example clue, the word opaque in this sentence means
clear
thick
thin
transparent
2. John was meticulous in his work as an artist. He took great pains to be detailed, precise, and
thorough with all of his paintings.
Using the example clue, the word meticulous in this sentence means
messy
casual
sloppy
careful
3. The army attempted to thwart the enemy with a new plan of attack. Before the enemy realized
what was happening, their forces became confused and frustrated. The army won the battle and
stopped the enemy's advance.
Using the example clue, the word thwart in this sentence means
sanction
allow
permit
hinder
4. A sleuth, such as Sherlock Holmes, can be very helpful in solving crimes.
Using the example clue, the word sleuth in this sentence means
pilot
senior citizen
man
detective
5. The emergency room doctors see patients with trauma, such as a broken bone, every night.
Using the example clue, the word trauma in this sentence means
plans
injury
goals
headaches
6. 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.
Using the example clue, the word aphorism in this sentence means
falsehood
forgery
untruth
saying
Name _____________________________
Date ___________________
Context Clues: Example Sentences
7. The reporters were allowed to query the actress, such as asking her to tell us about her new
movie, but they were not allowed to ask questions about her personal life.
Using the example clue, the word query in this sentence means
question
attack
particle
slap
8. In the fall, the bright foliage is a delight to see. Red, orange, and yellow leaves and vegetation
paint the world for our enjoyment.
Using the example clue, the word foliage in this sentence means
rocks
leaves
houses
dirt
9. 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 put down
things shot forward
things broken
things hurt
10. A lass, such as my little sister, likes to play with dolls and have tea parties.
Using the example clue, the word lass in this sentence means
old lady
small dog
young girl
young boy
11. Confections, such as cake, candy, and sweets, should be eaten sparingly.
Using the example clue, the word confections in this sentence means
sweet foods
fruits
meats
vegetable
12. Larceny, such as stealing a car, can cause you to spend a lot of time in jail.
Using the example clue, the word larceny in this sentence means
murder
conflict
theft
bravery
Name _____________________________
Date ___________________
(Answer ID # 0783392)
Context Clues: Explanations
1. We could tell by the rotten smell, that something putrid was in our trash can.
Using the explanation clue, the word putrid in this sentence means
alive
ample
appealing
rotten
2. Improving on the assembly line, Henry Ford was able to manufacture his automobiles efficiently.
He predominated in the industry for many years.
Using the explanation clue, the word predominated in this sentence means
charted
led
followed
fell behind
3. The children in the science class worked together as a team. The great synergy that was created
made the project a huge success.
Using the explanation clue, the word synergy in this sentence means
friction
chaos
teamwork
conflict
4. Dr. Smith is an entomologist, or an expert on insects.
Using the explanation clue, the word entomologist in this sentence means
fearful person
tall person
expert on insects
expert on storage
5. The plan to rebuild the tower was feasible, and everyone thought it was workable.
Using the explanation clue, the word feasible in this sentence means
basic
workable
incomplete
destroyed
6. When we received the sad news, we cried for a long time. The catharsis was a good release for
our sorrow.
Using the explanation clue, the word catharsis in this sentence means
purging
addition
extra
surcharge
Name _____________________________
Date ___________________
Context Clues: Explanations
7. Many people from the Orient are very careful not to cause ignominy, or dishonor, to their
families.
Using the explanation clue, the word ignominy in this sentence means
dishonor
culture
problems
harm
8. I had to stop and think about the unfathomable quote of the day.
Using the explanation clue, the word unfathomable in this sentence means
simple
clear
deep or profound
easy
9. When the sun shines through our window each afternoon, the beams strike a glass lamp hanging
from the ceiling. Iridescent shapes float around the room when we turn the lamp.
Using the explanation clue, the word iridescent in this sentence means
colorful
dull
dark
gloomy
10. In Great Britain, the police officer was called a constable.
Using the explanation clue, the word constable in this sentence means
jockey
policeman
poor person
criminal
11. 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
pounded
clouded
polished
12. After the driver lost control of her automobile, the vehicle careened off the road. It went down a
bank and slammed into a tree.
Using the explanation clue, the word careened in this sentence means
arranged
zigzagged
straightened
tidied
Name _____________________________
Date ___________________
Context Clues: Synonyms
1. 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
resist
network
revolt
plead
2. 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
certain
definite
3. Mom made a delicious chocolate cake for us. The combination of dark chocolate and whipped
cream created a scrumptious dessert.
Using the synonym clue, the word scrumptious in this sentence means
tasteless
sour
delicious
terrible
4. The man was sent to the penitentiary, or prison, for stealing cars.
Using the synonym clue, the word penitentiary in this sentence means
paradise
hotel
heaven
prison
5. It is better to allow someone to make up their own mind about something, than to feel the need to
coerce, or force, them over to your side.
Using the synonym clue, the word coerce in this sentence means
wreck
recover
force
believe
Name _____________________________
Date ___________________
Context Clues: Synonyms
6. Brian's project is supposed to oscillate, or swing, back and forth.
Using the synonym clue, the word oscillate in this sentence means
rest
never move
remain still
swing
7. Hurricane Katrina caused a great cataclysm - New Orleans was a disaster.
Using the synonym clue, the word cataclysm in this sentence means
miracle
disaster
session
wonder
8. I don't think we'll need to utilize, or use, the hand cart to haul in the computers.
Using the synonym clue, the word utilize in this sentence means
make
build
use
destroy
9. 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
sustain
survive
hesitate
continue
10. The book of logic contained many conundrums - mind-exercising puzzles.
Using the synonym clue, the word conundrums in this sentence means
answers
pictures
stories
puzzles
11. The artist was very careful and exact as he meticulously painted the portrait.
Using the synonym clue, the word meticulously in this sentence means
sloppy
precise or detailed
careless
hurriedly
Name _____________________________
Date ___________________
Context Clues: Antonyms
1. The lead dog was so incompetent that he had to be replaced by one that was more useful to the
pack.
Using the antonym clue, the word incompetent in this sentence means
intact
adventurous
accurate
useless
2. For the project, the teacher said the design was inalterable, but the color could be changed.
Using the antonym clue, the word inalterable in this sentence means
malleable
changeable
unchangeable
able to vary
3. The fumes were pernicious, not harmless.
Using the antonym clue, the word pernicious in this sentence means
harmful
not dangerous
safe
harmless
4. Had Tommy been wiser, he would not have pulled the inane prank on Mrs. Harris while she was
in the teacher's lounge.
Using the antonym clue, the word inane in this sentence means
sardine
masculine
foolish
adequate
5. Even from far away, the luminous glow of the city's lights could be seen against the dark sky.
Using the antonym clue, the word luminous in this sentence means
bright
black
invisible
dark
6. Janice thought the man was friendly, but Casey though he was malicious.
Using the antonym clue, the word malicious in this sentence means
spiteful
sweet
kind
friendly
Name _____________________________
Date ___________________
Context Clues: Antonyms
7. Mark was pretty diffident when he was younger, but he's one of the most outgoing kids in class
now.
Using the antonym clue, the word diffident in this sentence means
dumb
shy
terrible
painful
8. John started out as my friend but quickly became an antagonist during our basketball game.
Using the antonym clue, the word antagonist in this sentence means
supporter
friend
helper
enemy or opponent
9. After Julius Caesar was assassinated, a triumvirate ruled Rome. The three men in charge were
Octavian, Mark Antony, and Marcus Lepidus. It was felt that this was best for Rome because the
people did not want a dictator or emperor.
Using the antonym clue, the word triumvirate in this sentence means
a group of three
president
king
a group of two
10. The miasma of cigarette smoke caused me to step outside for a breath of fresh air.
Using the antonym clue, the word miasma in this sentence means
clarity
clearness
thick smoky air
11. Gilbert was nonplussed about being called to the office, but once he got there, he understood
that he was being awarded for his attendance.
Using the antonym clue, the word nonplussed in this sentence means
nauseated
confused
urged
affected