Context Clues — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Unlike his noisy brother, Max was quiet at the library.
The signal word 'unlike' shows the answer must be the opposite of noisy.
2. The road was bumpy, but the next one was smooth.
'But' shows a change, so the next word must be opposite of bumpy.
3. She felt cheerful in the morning; however, by night she was sad.
'However' signals contrast, so the mood word must be the opposite of cheerful.
4. Unlike the huge dog, the kitten was very tiny and small.
'Unlike the huge dog' signals the kitten is the opposite size.
5. Most kids were eager, but Jin seemed bored about the trip.
'But' contrasts Jin with the eager kids, so bored fits the clue.
6. Although the test looked hard, it turned out to be easy.
'Although' signals that the test was the opposite of hard, so easy fits.
7. The soup was bland, unlike the spicy curry on my plate.
'Unlike' signals a flavor opposite to bland, so a spicy food fits.
8. She is usually calm, but today she feels very nervous.
The contrast word 'but' shows the feeling is opposite of calm.
9. The first task was simple; in contrast, the last task was tricky.
'In contrast' signals the last task is the opposite of simple, so tricky fits.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
unlike
→ signals opposite groups
shows a change in idea
but
→ shows a change in idea
signals opposite groups
however
→ signals a contrast mood
signals a contrast mood
although
→ means even though
means even though
Each contrast word signals an antonym clue in a different sentence pattern.