Context Clues
How do you define a word when you don’t know what it means? Use context clues. Context is the
other word and sentences that are around the new word. When you figure out the meaning of a word
from context, you are making a guess about what the word means by using hints and clues from the
other words and sentences.
Five Type of Context Clues:
1. Definition/Explanation Clue: The meaning of a word or phrase is revealed by an explanation
immediately following. Example: “The city holds a bazaar, or market, every other Saturday.”
The meaning of the noun bazaar can be found in the word immediately following it: market.
2. Restatement/Synonym Clue: The meaning of a word or phrase is revealed by a simple
restatement or synonym. Example: “The remote site was far away from our current location.”
The sentence provides a synonym, far away, for the word remote.
3. Contrast/Antonym Clue: The meaning of a word or phrase is revealed by a statement of the
opposite meaning. Example: “We wanted to contribute to the project, not take away from it.”
The word not signals that the word contribute is an antonym to “take away from.” Therefore,
the reader knows it means “add to.”
4. Inference/General Context Clue: The meaning of a word or phrase is revealed elsewhere in the
text, not within the sentence containing the word. Relationships, which are not directly
apparent, are inferred or implied. Example: “The haberdashery was Lou’s favorite place. He
loved shopping for nice suits. The people who worked there were so friendly and helpful.” The
meaning of the word haberdashery is inferred by the information in the next two sentences: it
is a place to buy nice suits and is staffed by helpful people, so it is an upscale clothing store.
5. Tone and Setting Clue: The meaning of a word or phrase is revealed by the actions or setting.
Example: “The hostile dog barked at everyone and everything in sight. He even thought a piece
of trash was an enemy, so he barked at it, too.” The meaning of the word hostile is shown by
the dog’s actions, which are “unfriendly” and “aggressive.”
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Words in Context Practice
Directions: Read the sentences below and using context clues, select the best definition
of the underlined word.
1. I ate a portion of everything on my plate when I ate a small piece of meat, a small piece of bread,
and a small piece of chocolate pie.
In this sentence, the word portion means
A. Whole
B. Piece
C. Spoiled
D. complete
2. There are many forms of transportation, such as a bus, a car, or a train, that can get you to the zoo.
In this sentence the word transportation means
A.
B.
C.
D.
Toys
Animals
System for moving people or things
Times
3. Zack was good at many sports. He excelled in swimming, running, horsemanship, fencing, and
target shooting. He decided to compete in the pentathlon rather than having to choose one of the
events.
Using the example clue, the word pentathlon means
A.
B.
C.
D.
Competition with two events
Competition with eight events
Competition with ten events
Competition with five events
4. Nutritious foods, such as fruits and vegetables, help our bodies grow.
In this sentence, the word nutritious means
A.
B.
C.
D.
Healthy
Boring
Yucky
Old
5. Famous conquistadors include Cortes, who conquered Aztec Mexico and Pizarro, who conquered
Inca Peru.
Using the example clue, the word conquistadors means
A.
B.
C.
D.
Geographers
Losers
Victims
Conquerors
6. The professor was a favorite among the students at the college. His sagacity was helpful to them
as they pursued their degrees. The professor was known to use his experience, insight, and
common sense to help students pursue their education.
Using the example clue, the word sagacity in this sentence means
A.
B.
C.
D.
Silliness
Thoughtfulness
Wisdom
Negligence
7. The girls languidly put on their jackets, as if they had no energy at all.
Using the comparison clue, the word languidly in this sentence means
A.
B.
C.
D.
energetically
quickly
lazily
loosely
8. The mother was determined to prove her son’s innocence; the father was resolute as well.
Using the comparison clue, the word resolute in this sentence means
A.
B.
C.
D.
hostile
determined
Not determined
unsure
9. After being unable to get a good night’s sleep for many days, Allyson became lethargic. She didn’t
have the energy to get out of bed.
Using the comparison clue, the word lethargic in this sentence means
A.
B.
C.
D.
mean
bubbly
exhausted
lively
10. The book of logic contained many conundrums—mind-exercising puzzles.
Using the synonym clue, the word conundrums in this sentence means
A.
B.
C.
D.
pictures
stories
answers
puzzles
11. His rancor, or hatred, of his brother has caused him to live a life as a lonely person.
Using the synonym clue, the word rancor in this sentence means
A.
B.
C.
D.
love
generosity
anger
hatred
12. There was crazy pandemonium as people were trying to leave the rock concert.
Using the synonym clue, the word pandemonium in this sentence means
A.
B.
C.
D.
silence
Craziness or chaos
violence
peace
13. The insidious burglar was able to sneak into the house without being heard or seen.
Using the explanation clue, the word insidious in this sentence means
A.
B.
C.
D.
strong
loud
clumsy
sneaky
14. The voters were so upset about the outcome of the election that a skirmish broke out and the
police had to break it up.
Using the explanation clue, the word skirmish in this sentence means
A.
B.
C.
D.
fight
sunshine
hurricane
creature
15. Some people feel perplexed by brain teasers, while others figure them out quickly.
Using the comparison clue, the word perplexed in this sentence means
A.
B.
C.
D.
confused
happy
calm
relaxed
16. The tornado annihilated the whole town to the point that nothing was left standing.
Using the explanation clue, the word annihilated in this sentence means
A.
B.
C.
D.
destroyed
saved
broke
constructed
17. Katie appeared infallible in math class because she had never gotten a problem wrong.
Using the explanation clue, the word infallible in this sentence means
A.
B.
C.
D.
Never wrong
mistaken
wrong
indestructible
18. Hospitals can be inundated with emergencies on the weekends. It seems that most serious injuries
happen during that time. Maybe it’s because people have more free time on the weekend, so they
do things to hurt themselves. If you ever need to go to the emergency room on a Saturday night,
you may want to plan on still being there on Sunday morning.
Inundated means: _________________________________________________________________
Clues: ______________________________________________________________________________
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19. Whenever we have a party, Ashley is the first person on the list. Her vivacious personality is
contagious. She is so full of life; party is always a success with her in attendance.
vivacious means: _________________________________________________________________
Clues: ______________________________________________________________________________
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20. The fact that we had a campfire here last night was quite palpable. You could still see the ashes
and smell the remnants of the fire. All that was missing was the heat and the sound.
palpable means: _________________________________________________________________
Clues: ______________________________________________________________________________
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