Context Clues — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
The luminous moon was dark and impossible to see at night.
Corrected: The luminous moon was bright and easy to see at night.
The corrected sentence is: "The luminous moon was bright and easy to see at night." The error was context contradicts meaning: the original sentence "The luminous moon was dark and impossible to see at night." needed to be fixed.
2. Fix the sentence:
The sparse forest, meaning crowded with trees, had few places to hide.
Corrected: The sparse forest, meaning thinly spread with trees, had few places to hide.
The corrected sentence is: "The sparse forest, meaning thinly spread with trees, had few places to hide." The error was wrong definition clue: the original sentence "The sparse forest, meaning crowded with trees, had few places to hide." needed to be fixed.
3. Fix the sentence:
While the novice skater wobbled, the expert also fell down constantly.
Corrected: While the novice skater wobbled, the expert glided smoothly across the ice.
The corrected sentence is: "While the novice skater wobbled, the expert glided smoothly across the ice." The error was antonym contrast missing: the original sentence "While the novice skater wobbled, the expert also fell down constantly." needed to be fixed.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. When a sentence gives you examples of a word, it is using an example clue.
When a sentence lists specific items to show what a word means, those items serve as an example clue that helps you picture the word's meaning.
2. In "The courageous firefighter rushed into the burning building," courageous means brave .
Rushing into a burning building takes bravery, so the sentence's action clue tells you that courageous means brave.
3. Signal words like "but" and "on the other hand" introduce antonym clues.
Words like "but" and "on the other hand" signal a contrast, so the clue that follows gives the opposite meaning, which is an antonym clue.
4. When no signal word is present, a reader must use inference to figure out the meaning.
Without a clear signal word, you have to use inference by combining clues from the rest of the sentence to figure out the unknown word's meaning.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. In the sentence "The debris, including broken glass and splintered wood, covered the road," what type of context clue helps you understand debris?
Sample answer: The phrase "including broken glass and splintered wood" is an example clue that shows debris means scattered pieces of wreckage or trash.
A good answer includes: The phrase "including broken glass and splintered wood" is an example clue that shows debris means scattered pieces of wreckage or trash.
2. Why is it helpful to look at the whole sentence instead of just one word when you find an unfamiliar term?
Sample answer: Looking at the whole sentence gives you clues from surrounding words and phrases that can help you infer the meaning without needing a dictionary.
A good answer includes: Looking at the whole sentence gives you clues from surrounding words and phrases that can help you infer the meaning without needing a dictionary.