Language Arts: Vocabulary in Context
Using context clues to understand word meanings
Language Arts: Vocabulary in Context
Using context clues to understand word meanings
Language Arts - Grade 4-5
- 1
Mila felt famished after soccer practice, so she quickly ate two sandwiches and an apple. What does the word famished mean in this sentence?
Look at what Mila does after practice.
The word famished means very hungry because Mila ate a lot of food right after practice. - 2
The glass vase was fragile, so Ben carried it carefully with both hands. What does the word fragile mean?
The word fragile means easy to break because Ben carried the vase very carefully. - 3
During the storm, the enormous tree branch crashed onto the lawn. What does the word enormous mean in this sentence?
Think about the size of the branch.
The word enormous means very large because it describes a big tree branch. - 4
Sara gave a brief report to the class. She spoke for only one minute. What does the word brief mean?
The word brief means short because Sara spoke for only one minute. - 5
The desert was arid. Very little rain fell there each year, and only a few plants could grow. What does the word arid mean?
Use the clues about rain and plant growth.
The word arid means very dry because the passage says very little rain falls there. - 6
Carlos was reluctant to jump into the cold pool. He stood at the edge and waited while everyone else swam. What does the word reluctant mean?
The word reluctant means unsure or unwilling because Carlos did not want to jump into the cold pool right away. - 7
The kitten was curious. It sniffed the box, pawed at the ribbon, and peeked inside. What does the word curious mean?
Notice how the kitten acts around the box.
The word curious means eager to learn or interested because the kitten kept exploring the box. - 8
After running the mile, Jamal was exhausted and dropped onto the grass to rest. What does the word exhausted mean in this sentence?
The word exhausted means very tired because Jamal needed to rest after running. - 9
Lena whispered so quietly that her words were barely audible to the people nearby. What does the word audible mean?
The sentence gives a clue about hearing.
The word audible means able to be heard because Lena's whisper was hard for people nearby to hear. - 10
The muddy trail was slippery, and hikers had to move slowly to avoid falling. What does the word slippery mean?
The word slippery means hard to walk on without sliding because the hikers had to move slowly to avoid falling. - 11
The principal commended the class for cleaning the playground and helping younger students. What does the word commended mean?
Think about why the principal spoke to the class.
The word commended means praised because the principal was pleased with the class for helping others. - 12
Rina solved the puzzle quickly because the answer was obvious from the start. What does the word obvious mean?
The word obvious means easy to see or understand because Rina could tell the answer right away. - 13
The baby let out a tiny whimper after dropping his toy, but he stopped crying as soon as his father picked him up. What does the word whimper mean?
Look at what happened right after the sound.
The word whimper means a soft cry because the baby cried a little after dropping his toy. - 14
Marcus tried to imitate his teacher's voice during the play rehearsal, copying her tone and gestures. What does the word imitate mean?
The word imitate means to copy because Marcus was copying his teacher's voice and movements. - 15
The old cabin was secluded, hidden deep in the woods far from any road or house. What does the word secluded mean?
Use the clues about where the cabin is located.
The word secluded means private or far away from other people because the cabin was hidden deep in the woods.