This set zeros in on the signal words that quietly point to a word's meaning. You will repair a sentence that calls a slender trunk wide and thick, fix a synonym clue that wrongly says furious means calm, and correct a habitats example sentence that confuses places with food. Then you will figure out what torrential rain tells you, what which means signals, and how tranquil works with both a synonym (calm and still) and an antonym (unlike the roaring river).
Spotting these signals turns reading into active problem-solving.
Style:
Context Clues
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
The slender tree trunk was wide and thick.
Rewrite: The slender tree trunk was thin and narrow.
2. Fix the sentence:
She was furious, or calm, when her project was ruined.
Rewrite: She was furious, or very angry, when her project was ruined.
3. Fix the sentence:
Habitats, such as deserts and forests, are types of food that animals eat.
Rewrite: Habitats, such as deserts and forests, are types of places where animals live.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The phrase "which means" in a sentence signals a definition clue.
2. In "The torrential rain flooded every street," torrential means very heavy .
3. When a writer uses "in other words," the next phrase will restate the meaning.
4. A synonym clue gives a word with a similar meaning as the unknown word.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Name two signal words or phrases that tell you a definition clue is coming.
Two signal phrases for definition clues are "which means" and "in other words," because they tell the reader that the meaning of the unknown word will follow.
2. In the sentence "The tranquil lake was calm and still, unlike the roaring river," what two types of context clues help you understand tranquil?
A synonym clue ("calm and still") and an antonym clue ("unlike the roaring river") both help show that tranquil means peaceful and quiet.
Context Clues
★ Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1) Fix the sentence:
The slender tree trunk was wide and thick.
Rewrite: The slender tree trunk was thin and narrow.
2) Fix the sentence:
She was furious, or calm, when her project was ruined.
Rewrite: She was furious, or very angry, when her project was ruined.
3) Fix the sentence:
Habitats, such as deserts and forests, are types of food that animals eat.
Rewrite: Habitats, such as deserts and forests, are types of places where animals live.
★ Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1) The phrase "which means" in a sentence signals a definition clue.
2) In "The torrential rain flooded every street," torrential means very heavy .
3) When a writer uses "in other words," the next phrase will restate the meaning.
4) A synonym clue gives a word with a similar meaning as the unknown word.
★ Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1) Name two signal words or phrases that tell you a definition clue is coming.
Two signal phrases for definition clues are "which means" and "in other words," because they tell the reader that the meaning of the unknown word will follow.
2) In the sentence "The tranquil lake was calm and still, unlike the roaring river," what two types of context clues help you understand tranquil?
A synonym clue ("calm and still") and an antonym clue ("unlike the roaring river") both help show that tranquil means peaceful and quiet.
Ready to Practice?
Complete each section carefully.
9 Questions
15-20 minutes
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