Language Arts: Context Clues Strategies
Using nearby words and sentences to figure out meaning
Language Arts: Context Clues Strategies
Using nearby words and sentences to figure out meaning
Language Arts - Grade 4-5
- 1
Maya felt famished after soccer practice, so she quickly ate a sandwich, an apple, and a bowl of soup. What does famished mean?
Look at what Maya does after practice.
Famished means very hungry. The clue is that Maya ate a lot of food right away after practice. - 2
The glass vase was fragile, so Ben carried it carefully with both hands and set it down gently. What does fragile mean?
Fragile means easy to break. The clue is that Ben handled the vase very carefully and set it down gently. - 3
Our teacher said the assignment was optional, so students could choose whether or not to do the extra page. What does optional mean?
Pay attention to the phrase about choosing.
Optional means not required. The clue is that students could choose whether or not to do the extra page. - 4
The trail was steep. In fact, it rose sharply up the side of the hill and made our legs tired. What does steep mean?
Steep means rising at a sharp angle. The clue is that the trail went sharply up the side of the hill. - 5
Jalen is very cautious around the wet floor. He takes slow steps, watches where he is going, and holds the railing. What does cautious mean?
Notice the actions Jalen takes.
Cautious means careful to avoid danger or mistakes. The clue is that Jalen moves slowly, watches where he is going, and holds the railing. - 6
The room was gloomy because thick clouds blocked the sunlight, making everything look dark and dull. What does gloomy mean?
Gloomy means dark or sad-looking. The clue is that the clouds blocked the sunlight and made everything look dark and dull. - 7
A habitat is the natural home of a plant or animal. A pond, for example, is a habitat for frogs and ducks. What does habitat mean?
One part of the sentence directly tells the meaning.
Habitat means the natural home or environment where a plant or animal lives. The sentence gives a definition and an example with a pond. - 8
Nina gave a brief report. It was short and took only two minutes to present. What does brief mean?
Brief means short in length or time. The clue is that the report took only two minutes to present. - 9
Unlike his noisy little brother, Marcus was quiet and reserved during the car ride. What does reserved mean?
Look for the contrast word unlike.
Reserved means quiet and not very talkative. The clue is the contrast with his noisy brother. - 10
The kitten was energetic. It raced across the room, leaped onto the couch, and chased a toy under the table. What does energetic mean?
Energetic means full of energy and activity. The clue is that the kitten was racing, leaping, and chasing toys. - 11
Because the directions were vague, we still did not know exactly where to turn or which building to enter. What does vague mean?
Think about why the directions were hard to follow.
Vague means unclear or not specific. The clue is that the directions did not tell exactly where to turn or which building to enter. - 12
The baby began to wail, crying loudly when her toy rolled away. What does wail mean?
Wail means to cry out loudly. The sentence explains it by saying the baby was crying loudly. - 13
Luis tried to conceal the surprise gift by hiding it in the back of his closet under a blanket. What does conceal mean?
Look at where Luis put the gift.
Conceal means to hide something. The clue is that Luis put the gift in the back of his closet under a blanket. - 14
The desert is arid. It gets very little rain, and the ground is often dry and dusty. What does arid mean?
Arid means very dry. The clues are that the desert gets very little rain and the ground is dry and dusty. - 15
Sam is dependable. He always finishes his chores, returns library books on time, and keeps his promises. What does dependable mean?
Think about what Sam's actions show about him.
Dependable means reliable and able to be trusted. The clue is that Sam finishes chores, returns books on time, and keeps his promises.