A 21 ITEM
SAMPLING OF
MIDDLE SCHOOL
PRACTICE WITH
CONTEXT CLUES!
COMMON CORE STANDARDS:
R.L. 6.4, 7.4, 8.4
L. 6.4, 7.4, 8.4
The words selected for this power point are those
for 6th -8th levels (as indicated on the previous slide
with Common Core Standards). There are 21 word
study/context clue slides for use for an introduction
to the study of context clues, one for each of the 7
types of context clues for each grade level in order
from 6th grade level words to 7th then to 8th.
The answers/context clues slide is at the end for all
21 slides. You may print the slide so that when you go
over the answers and discuss, it will be handy.
I have 3 other context clues power points one for
each grade level containing 50 items each. I also have
a set of worksheets as another product. Thank you
for selecting this free power point.
—Mama Flanders
CONTEXT CLUE #1
Sometimes you can take the words apart. Maybe
there’s a prefix, suffix, or root (part of the
word) that you recognize.
Example: Marion may not show up for
basketball practice. She can be undependable.
Of course, you recognize the word “depend” and
the prefix “un” which means not, and the suffix
“able” which means able to.
Therefore the word ”dependable” means “not
able to depend on.”
CONTEXT CLUE #2
Sometimes an author will use a synonym close by
the word. You recognize that because the
author will have “a” or “or” or commas
surrounding the synonym.
Example: Frank did his chores. He wanted
nothing to jeopardize, hinder, his meeting his
friends tonight.
The word “jeopardize” means “to hinder.”
CONTEXT CLUE #3
Authors use antonyms sometimes. The author
will have “not,” “rather,” “or,” “nor,” “yet,” or
other words distinguishing the difference
between two words.
Example: You are to paint the exterior, not
the interior, of the house.
(In other words “exterior” is the opposite of
“interior”, so it must mean “outside”.)
CONTEXT CLUE #4
They also use contrast which is similar to
antonyms but there might be several sentences
of contrast. Clue words introducing contrasts
include “instead,” “but,” “on the other hand,”
“however,” “though,” and others.
Example: The team became deadlocked, but
with more hours of discussion they came up
with a plan.
(The word “deadlocked” must mean “came to a
standstill.”
CONTEXT CLUE #5
Authors use cause and effect too. Clue words
include “because,” “so,” “since,” therefore,”
“then,” or “as a result of.”
Example: Because she was so modest, she
went unnoticed at the party.
The word “modest” must have something to do
with being unnoticed.
CONTEXT CLUE #6
The use of sequence helps to identify the word
meaning of an unfamiliar word.
Example: In Great Britain we call that place a
quod, a prison, or a jail cell.
The word “quod” must be another word for
“prison.”
CONTEXT CLUE #7
The mood and tone of the character helps to
suggest the meaning of a word.
Example: The soldier had committed a crime,
so he was discharged from the navy.
The word “discharged” must have a negative
meaning (connotation) since “committing a crime”
has a negative mood/tone.
Please take out a piece of
paper and number as far as
your teacher instructs.
(It could be to the end of the power point if
there’s enough time That would be 21.)
Select your choice for an
answer.
1. The teacher asked all
students to contribute their
ideas for consideration or
we would not have anything
to discuss.
A. To write down
B. to allow
C. to furnish
2. Sit up, Sam! Do not slouch.
A. drooping posture
B. yawn
C. cheat
3. Students who are honest,
reliable, and hard-working do
well in their classes.
A. alert
B. able to depend on
C. caring
4. One regulation is to
park our cars in the other
lot. That rule allows for
customer parking close by
the businesses.
A. irritation
B. rule or law
C. problem
5. I paved the parking
lot. Now, we must wait
until it dries.
A. covered the surface of
C. cured it
B. painted the top
6. The red clay dirt was
dense, not easily
workable. I could not
plant in that area.
A. wet and soggy B. mostly sand
C. packed tightly together
7. Placing all twenty
pencils in a basket made
them more portable.
A. easily carried B. a landing
C. able to be locked
8. It is required that all
tests be turned in
simultaneously, at exactly
the same time.
A. in a few minutes B. to the teacher
C. occurring at the same time
9. When the edge of the
knife becomes blunt, not
sharp, you can borrow my
tool.
A. chipped
B. dull
C. razor sharp
10. Young Man, if you are
tardy once more, you will
pay the price!
A. coming to school
B. late
C. paying a better price
11. If the client asks for
a better price, tell him I
will think about it.
A. customer B. guest C. chef
12. My job as your troop
leader is to give you
guidance, support, and
character-building activities.
A. hope
B. direction
C. faith
13. The wall color was
subtle; I wanted bold
colors like gold and red.
A. bright
B. child-like
C. delicate, faint
14. The doctor called in my
mother’s prescription.
A. doctor’s bill
B. written order for medicine
C. a personal note
15. You can purchase
jewelry that is invaluable,
adequate, or even
inexpensive.
A. precious
B. clunky
C. cheap
16. Of course, the
hurricane could devastate
our city, but we remain
optimistic.
A. confused
B. scared
C. hopeful
17. If you show him that
you are vulnerable, the
tiger will surely attack you.
A. strong
B. weak
C. friendly
18. Disrupting the class
once more, are you?
Jason, a demerit is in my
hand!
A. making it to B. studying with
C. interrupting
19. The student’s project
was unattractive to
anyone’s eyes.
A. not pleasing B. not original
C. without color
20. Her wedding gown was
exquisite! Look at all the
detail.
A. too extreme B. simply made
C. elaborately made
21. The student did not
conform to conventional
behavior. His behavior was
not acceptable.
A. generally accepted B. not approved
C. wild
Now it is time to swap and
grade your answers. Follow
your teacher’s instructions to
do so.
ANSWERS AND DISCUSSION
(You might print this slide and go back slide by slide for discussion and (or) grading of the answers.)
6th grade
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
C, contrast
A, mood,/tone
B, sequence
B, syn.
A, C/E
C, ant.
A, word parts
7th grade
8. C, syn.
9. B, ant.
10. B, mood/tone
11. A, C/E
12. B, sequence
13. C, contrast
14. B, word parts
8th grade
15. A, sequence
16. C, contrast
17. B, C/E
18. C, mood/tone
19. A, word parts
20. C, syn.
21. A, ant.
Thank you for selecting this power point on
Common Core Standards which deals with word
study/context clues. If you would like others
at each middle school grade level, please see
my store, Mama Flanders. Besides having 3
similar power points but with 50 items each, I
also have power points on “Conflict”,
“Deductive/Inductive False Premise, and 6 sets
of “Reading Bell Ringers”. Thank you, Mama
Flanders
Please do not share this power point.