Context Clues — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. Grade 3 passage clue: Ben trudged up the steep hill, dragging his heavy backpack. What does trudged mean?
A) walked slowly with effort
B) ran happily
C) skipped lightly
D) floated easily
The heavy pack and steep hill show Grade 3 readers trudged means slow and hard walking.
2. Grade 3 passage clue: The aroma of fresh bread drifted from the bakery and made Ben smile. What does aroma mean?
A) a loud sound
B) a pleasant smell
C) a bright color
D) a cold wind
Bakery and fresh bread point Grade 3 readers to pleasant smell for aroma.
3. Grade 3 passage clue: Ben was famished after the long walk, so he bought a warm loaf. What does famished mean?
A) sleepy
B) bored
C) very hungry
D) angry
Buying food after a long walk shows Grade 3 readers famished means very hungry.
4. Grade 3 passage clue: He chatted merrily with the baker while munching his bread. What does merrily mean?
A) angrily
B) sadly
C) silently
D) cheerfully
A happy scene with warm bread tells Grade 3 readers merrily means cheerfully.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. Grade 3 passage: The path was treacherous with loose rocks; treacherous means dangerous.
Loose rocks create risk, so Grade 3 readers infer treacherous means dangerous.
2. Grade 3 passage: Ben paused to admire the brilliant sunset; brilliant means very bright.
Admire and sunset cue Grade 3 readers to very bright for brilliant.
3. Grade 3 passage: A gentle breeze made him feel serene; serene means calm and peaceful.
A gentle breeze and calm mood signal peaceful to Grade 3 readers.
4. Grade 3 passage: He quickened his pace, eager to get home; eager means full of excitement.
Quickening pace toward home shows Grade 3 readers eager is full of excitement.
5. Grade 3 passage: Ben shared his loaf generously with his little sister; generously means in a giving way.
Sharing bread with a sister cues Grade 3 readers to generously meaning giving.