Context Clues — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. After hiking all day, Sam felt famished and ate three sandwiches in a row. What does famished most likely mean?
A) very full
B) very hungry
C) very sleepy
D) very thirsty
Eating three sandwiches quickly suggests Sam was very hungry, so famished means hungry.
2. The puppy trembled during the thunder and hid under the bed. What does trembled mean in this Grade 3 passage?
A) barked loudly
B) shook with fear
C) jumped high
D) ran fast
Hiding during loud thunder suggests the puppy shook from fear, so trembled means shook.
3. Mia glanced at the clock and then rushed out the door without breakfast. What does glanced most likely mean?
A) stared for a long time
B) looked away forever
C) took a quick look
D) closed her eyes
Rushing out the door suggests Mia only took a quick look at the clock.
4. The old bridge creaked and swayed, so the hikers crossed it cautiously. What does cautiously mean here?
A) with great care
B) without any care
C) in a big hurry
D) with loud noise
A swaying bridge would make hikers move with great care, so cautiously means carefully.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. Sam was famished after the hike, so he ate three sandwiches.
The inference clue shows Sam was hungry, so he ate the sandwiches quickly.
2. The puppy trembled during the thunder and hid under the bed.
The passage gives clues that the scared puppy hid under the bed.
3. Mia glanced at the clock and rushed out the door fast.
The inference clue shows Mia was in a hurry, so she rushed out.
4. The hikers crossed the creaky bridge very cautiously.
The inference clue shows the hikers moved carefully on the shaky bridge.
5. After the long game, the tired players slowly walked home.
The inference clue suggests the tired players walked home after playing.