Context clues

Questions

1. The desert was arid, with no rain for months. What does "arid" mean?

   • Very cold
   • Very crowded
   • Very dry
   • Very green
   Show answer

   Very dry

2. Mia was ecstatic when she won the prize; she jumped and cheered. What does "ecstatic" mean?

   • Extremely happy
   • Quite angry
   • Slightly nervous
   • Very tired
   Show answer

   Extremely happy

3. The instructions were ambiguous; two students read them in different ways. "Ambiguous" means:

   • Clear and easy to follow
   • Much too short
   • Open to more than one meaning
   • Written in very small print
   Show answer

   Open to more than one meaning

4. Tom was reluctant to jump in; he stood at the edge, frowning. "Reluctant" means:

   • Able
   • Allowed
   • Eager
   • Unwilling
   Show answer

   Unwilling

5. The meal was meager: just a thin soup and one small roll. "Meager" means:

   • Delicious
   • Served late
   • Small in amount
   • Very spicy
   Show answer

   Small in amount

6. Unlike his chatty sister, Leo is taciturn. What does "taciturn" most likely mean?

   • Always late
   • Fond of music
   • Quiet and saying little
   • Very funny
   Show answer

   Quiet and saying little

7. Which sentence uses "bat" to mean an animal?

   • A bat flew out of the cave at dusk.
   • He picked up the bat for practice.
   • She swung the bat and hit the ball.
   • The bat was made of wood.
   Show answer

   A bat flew out of the cave at dusk.

8. "The river bank was muddy." Here, "bank" means:

   • A place to keep money
   • A row of switches
   • The land beside a river
   • To tilt an airplane
   Show answer

   The land beside a river

9. Which sentence uses "light" to mean "not heavy"?

   • Please turn on the light.
   • The bag was light, so I carried it easily.
   • The light in the room was bright.
   • The morning light woke me.
   Show answer

   The bag was light, so I carried it easily.

10. "The comedian's jokes were dry." Here, "dry" most likely means:

    • Covered in dust
    • Plain and not very funny
    • Thirsty
    • Without any water
    Show answer

    Plain and not very funny

11. Context clues are the words around an unknown word that help you work out its meaning. (True or false?)

    Show answer

    True

12. A word can only ever have one meaning, so the sentence around it never matters. (True or false?)

    Show answer

    False

13. In "Please close the door; it is close to midnight," both uses of "close" mean the same thing. (True or false?)

    Show answer

    False

14. "The scorching sun made everyone seek shade." What does "scorching" mean? (Answer out loud)

    Show answer

    Very hot

15. Give another meaning of "watch" besides the object you wear on your wrist. (Answer out loud)

    Show answer

    To look at something carefully (or to guard)

16. "Park" can be a place with grass. What is another meaning of "park"? (Answer out loud)

    Show answer

    To leave a vehicle in a place

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