Skill: Determine the meanings of words using context clues
TestSMART® Focus LinksTM for Reading, Grade 8
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Context clues are words and phrases in a passage that help the reader determine the meaning of an
unfamiliar word.
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Example: Mr. Jahn always paid his bills on time so he would not have a record of delinquent payments.
The underlined words on time help the reader understand the meaning of delinquent.
The word delinquent means late.
Directions: Write the correct meaning for the bold word in each sentence. Underline the context clues that help
you determine the meaning of the bold word.
PL
1. The man wore an authentic-looking police uniform, but he was really an imposter. He had no badge and
could not arrest anyone.
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2. Crystal’s budget did not work because she had expenditures she did not expect.
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3. Leon always supplements his weekly allowance by doing extra chores around the house and running errands
for neighbors.
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4. Arguing with Mani is absolutely useless. He is simply too obstinate to change his mind about anything.
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5. Laura does not enjoy playing in the school orchestra. She prefers to work in a smaller ensemble.
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6. The man’s soiled and wrinkled clothes gave him an unkempt appearance.
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SA
7. Jenny watched the game on TV but did not enjoy the announcer’s commentary, so she turned down
the volume.
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8. I am grateful to Mr. Barros because he was instrumental in my successful job search.
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9. Maya wanted to do well at tennis camp, but her old racket and lack of experience placed her in a
precarious situation.
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10. Mrs. Jordan expected a serious answer, so she was unprepared for Mark’s flippant response.
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Skill: Recognize and interpret figurative language
TestSMART® Focus LinksTM for Reading, Grade 8
Prereading Question: What sounds do you like to hear? Why?
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Figurative language creates an image in the reader’s mind. Similes, metaphors, onomatopoeia, personification,
and alliteration are examples of figurative language. A simile compares two unlike things using the words “as”
or “like.” A metaphor compares two unlike things, but the comparison is implied. Onomatopoeia is a word
or phrase that represents a sound or animal noise. Personification gives human traits and qualities to objects
or animals. Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds in words.
Rain Music
Figurative Language
1. Which of the following lines from the poem
includes an example of alliteration?
A “Calling life anew”
B “Beats the falling rain”
C “Now a whispered murmur”
D “Slender, silvery drumsticks”
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On the dusty earth-drum
Beats the falling rain;
Now a whispered murmur,
Now a louder strain.
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Slender, silvery drumsticks,
On an ancient drum,
Beat the mellow music
Bidding life to come.
PL
by Joseph S. Cotter, Jr.
Figurative Language
2. Which line from the poem includes an example
of onomatopoeia?
A “Beat the long tattoo”
B “Rise and fall triumphant”
C “Now a whispered murmur”
D “Chords of earth awakened”
Figurative Language
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M
Chords of earth awakened,
Notes of greening spring,
Rise and fall triumphant
Over every thing.
Slender, silvery drumsticks
Beat the long tattoo—
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God, the Great Musician,
SA
Calling life anew.
3. In the poem, raindrops are described as—
A “the long tattoo”
B “greening spring”
C “the mellow music”
D “slender, silvery drumsticks”
Main Idea *
4. Which of the following is a main idea expressed
in the poem?
A The rain falls from the sky.
B The rain beats on the earth.
C The rain can be loud or soft.
D The rain brings the world to life.
Context Clues *
5. In the poem, what does the word anew mean?
A again
B below
C often
D perhaps
Note: Joseph S. Cotter, Jr. (1861–1949) is a well-known
African-American poet and playwright.
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Postreading Question: How would you describe
the sound of rain?
Skill: Represent text information in different ways
TestSMART® Focus LinksTM for Reading, Grade 8
Prereading Question: How are the names for towns or cities chosen?
Representation of Text
1. Look at the diagram below.
The town of Waterproof is located on the
Mississippi River in the northeastern part of Louisiana.
Pioneers first settled in the area around 1830. Some
settlers traveled down the Mississippi River on flatboats;
others came by wagon on the old Texas Road Trail.Tired
from their long journeys, and attracted by the rich delta
soil, these first settlers took up farming and trading with
the river traffic.The town was officially incorporated in
1872.
1830
1872
Waterproof is officially
incorporated.
PL
1880
The first pioneers settle
in Waterproof.
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Waterproof, Louisiana
The name Waterproof is actually a misnomer for
the small river town. On several occasions, the entire
town has been covered with floodwaters three- to fourfeet deep. In fact, citizens have moved the town at least
twice due to floods.The town was moved sometime
during the middle of the nineteenth century, and then
again in 1880 to its present location.
Which of the following belongs in the empty
section of the diagram?
A Waterproof earns its current name.
B Waterproof becomes a riverboat town.
C Waterproof is flooded for the first time.
D Waterproof is moved to its present location.
Progression of Ideas *
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“Well, Abner, I see you are waterproof.”
Smalley was pleased with this greeting and gave
the name Waterproof to his land holdings.
SA
Eventually Waterproof was able live up to its name.
By 1905, the community had constructed a 25-foot
levee to protect them from the mighty Mississippi.
So if you ever take a riverboat ride and step off at
Waterproof, feel free to leave your hip boots home.
You are in “Waterproof ” country.
The Waterproof community
builds a levee.
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So how did the town earn its title? The name
Waterproof probably originated from a riverboat
captain’s greeting to one of the town’s first settlers,
Abner Smalley.
1905
2. Why did the citizens of Waterproof move the
town twice?
A to be near richer soil
B to build a better levee
C to set up trade with riverboats
D to protect the town from floods
Context Clues *
3. In this passage, the word misnomer means—
A good location
B river town
C serious problem
D wrong name
Postreading Question: What other towns or cities
have unusual names?
© ECS Learning Systems, Inc.
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