Name: _____________________
Date: ___________ Period: ____
Context Clues: Inferences
Directions
For each statement:
1. Number the Context Clues
2. Label how the Context Clues relate to the Mystery Word.
3. List Possible Synonyms for the Mystery Word.
4. Select the Meaning of the Mystery Word.
1. After hitting the game winning homerun, the baseball player was very nonchalant. He walked
around the bases and told the opposing team that it really didn’t take much effort, and he didn’t
even celebrate the win – because he was so used to hitting homeruns and winning games.
Number the Context Clues you found in the statement.
On the lines below, explain why you think each of the clues you numbered helped you find the
meaning of the mystery word.
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Possible Synonyms:
What is the best definition for nonchalant?
a. Happy
b. Unexcited
c. Nervous
d. Athletic
2. The man had no qualms when he started his new job as a surgeon. He had been studying medical
science for years, and he had practiced with people who were always shaking when they were
working on a patient.
Number the Context Clues you found in the statement.
On the lines below, explain why you think each of the clues you numbered helped you find the
meaning of the mystery word.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Possible Synonyms:
What is the best definition for qualm?
a. Practice
b. Experience
c. Fear
d. Patients
3. Jody was having a rough morning. Her hair was all over the place, her shoes didn’t match, and
she was wearing a wrinkled shirt. All things considered, she was very unkempt.
Number the context clues you found in the statement.
On the lines below, explain why you think each of the context clues that you numbered helped you
find the meaning of the mystery word.
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
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Possible Synonyms:
What does it mean to be unkempt?
a. To be dirty
b. To be tired
c. To be disorderly
d. To have hair all over the place.
4. The woman did not buy the flashiest clothing from the fanciest stores, because she preferred to go
through the day without being noticed. Instead, she wore clothes that were acceptable for every
day occasions. She was a very demure in that way.
Number the context clues you found in the statement.
On the lines below, explain why you think each of the context clues that you numbered helped
you find the meaning of the mystery word.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Possible Synonyms:
What does it mean to be demure?
a. To be flashy
b. To be fancy
c. To be unnoticed
d. To be dressed mildly.