Context Clues — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. In "The nimble cat leaped over the fence with ease," nimble means quick and agile .
Leaping over a fence "with ease" shows speed and flexibility, so nimble means quick and agile.
2. The parched soil cracked in the sun because it was extremely dry .
Soil that cracks in the sun has lost all its moisture, so the context tells you that parched means extremely dry.
3. In "Predators, including lions and hawks, hunt other animals," predators are animals that hunt .
The examples "lions and hawks" are animals that catch other animals for food, so the example clue shows that predators are animals that hunt.
4. The word "nevertheless" signals that an opposite idea will follow.
"Nevertheless" works like "but" or "however" -- it warns the reader that the next idea will contrast with or be the opposite of the first idea.
5. In "The peculiar noise startled everyone because it was so strange," peculiar means unusual .
The word "strange" in the sentence is a synonym clue that tells you peculiar means unusual or odd.
6. The generous donor gave a large donation to the school library.
A donor is someone who gives, so the inference clue from "generous" and "gave" tells you the blank must be donation -- the gift itself.
7. In "She was reluctant to jump, but her sister was eager," reluctant means unwilling .
The word "but" sets up a contrast between reluctant and eager, so reluctant must mean the opposite of eager -- unwilling.
8. Utensils, such as forks, spoons, and knives, are tools used for eating .
Forks, spoons, and knives are all tools you use at mealtimes, so the example clue shows that utensils are tools used for eating.
9. A definition clue often appears after words like "meaning" or "which means ."
Signal phrases like "meaning" or "which means" introduce a definition clue by telling the reader that the word's meaning is coming next.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
Enormous
→ Very large
Extremely cold
Timid
→ Shy and fearful
Very large
Jubilant
→ Extremely happy
Shy and fearful
Frigid
→ Extremely cold
Extremely happy
Correct matches: Enormous → Very large; Timid → Shy and fearful; Jubilant → Extremely happy; Frigid → Extremely cold.