Language Arts: Context Clues: Finding Word Meanings
Use nearby words and sentences to understand unfamiliar words
Language Arts: Context Clues: Finding Word Meanings
Use nearby words and sentences to understand unfamiliar words
Language Arts - Grade 4-5
- 1
The desert was arid, so dry that very few plants could grow there. What does arid mean, and which words helped you?
Look for a definition right after the unfamiliar word.
Arid means very dry. The words "so dry that very few plants could grow there" help explain the meaning. - 2
Mia was reluctant to jump into the cold pool, but her brother leaped in right away. What does reluctant mean?
Reluctant means unwilling or not eager to do something. The clue is that Mia did not jump in, while her brother did right away. - 3
The enormous pumpkin was so huge that it took three people to lift it. What does enormous mean?
A synonym may appear near the unfamiliar word.
Enormous means very large or huge. The word "huge" and the detail about three people lifting it are clues. - 4
Unlike the noisy cafeteria, the library was tranquil and calm. What does tranquil mean?
Tranquil means peaceful or calm. The word "calm" and the contrast with the noisy cafeteria help show the meaning. - 5
The chef garnished the soup with parsley, adding a small green topping before serving it. What does garnished mean?
Look for an example of the action in the sentence.
Garnished means decorated or added a small topping to food. The clue is "adding a small green topping before serving it." - 6
Because the old cookie was brittle, it cracked into tiny pieces when Leo picked it up. What does brittle mean?
Brittle means easily broken. The clue is that the cookie cracked into tiny pieces when it was picked up. - 7
Our teacher asked us to summarize the chapter by telling only the most important events. What does summarize mean?
Think about what the teacher asked the students to include.
Summarize means to give a short version with the main ideas or most important events. The clue is "telling only the most important events." - 8
The path was visible in daylight, but after sunset it was too dark to see. What does visible mean?
Visible means able to be seen. The contrast with "too dark to see" helps explain the meaning. - 9
The puppy was timid and hid behind the chair whenever new people entered the room. What does timid mean?
Use the puppy's behavior to infer the meaning.
Timid means shy or easily frightened. The clue is that the puppy hid behind the chair when new people came in. - 10
Many nocturnal animals, such as owls, bats, and raccoons, are active at night. What does nocturnal mean?
Nocturnal means active at night. The clue is the phrase "are active at night" and the examples of owls, bats, and raccoons. - 11
The principal commended the students for cleaning the playground, praising them during the morning announcements. What does commended mean?
Look for a synonym that tells what the principal did.
Commended means praised or showed approval. The clue is "praising them during the morning announcements." - 12
The hallway was congested after the bell because students crowded together and could barely move. What does congested mean?
Congested means crowded or blocked. The clues are "students crowded together" and "could barely move." - 13
Lena tried to conceal the surprise gift by hiding it under her bed. What does conceal mean?
The sentence gives an action that means almost the same thing.
Conceal means to hide. The clue is "hiding it under her bed." - 14
The directions were vague, so we were confused about where to turn. What does vague mean?
Vague means unclear or not specific. The clue is that the directions made people confused about where to turn. - 15
After losing the game, the team felt dejected, but their coach reminded them that they had improved a lot. What does dejected mean?
Use the situation and the coach's response to infer the feeling.
Dejected means sad or discouraged. The clue is that the team had lost the game, and the coach needed to encourage them.