IDEAS CONTEXT CLUES: APPLYING THE STRATEGY

Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico just past 9 a.m.. The storm stretched nearly sixty miles across. It moved just as a snail does at 10 miles per hour. It lingered over the island for 12 hours.

What is the meaning of lingered?

• fast-approaching

• to move slowly

• to move like a snail

• to be large and slow

Answer explanation

Yes. Ten miles per hour is very slow.

Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico just past 9 a.m.. The storm stretched nearly sixty miles across. It moved just as a snail does at 10 miles per hour. It lingered over the island for 12 hours.

Which IDEAS context clue was used to determine the meaning of this word?

• DEFINITION

• EXAMPLE

• ANTONYM

• SYNONYM

Answer explanation

The author compared. the hurricane to a snail to show the speed of the hurricane.

The storm dropped more rain in one night than Puerto Rico gets in six months. The deluge swelled rivers and canals. The flood sent water gushing into neighborhoods and bursting a dam.

What is the meaning of deluge?

• a canal

• a large amount of water

• swollen river

• burst dam

Answer explanation

Yes. A deluge is a dangerously large amount, especially water.

The storm dropped more rain in one night than Puerto Rico gets in six months. The deluge swelled rivers and canals. The flood sent water gushing into neighborhoods and bursting a dam.

Which IDEAS context clue was used to define the word deluge?

• DEFINITION

• EXAMPLE

• ANTONYM

• SYNONYM

Answer explanation

Another word for deluge is flood. Flood is mentioned in the second sentence.

11,000 people still don't have electricity...the power was still going out intermittently, meaning it was irregular, as well as cell phone and internet service.

What is the meaning of intermittently?

• electricity

• irregular at times

• continuously working

• cell phone service

Answer explanation

Yes. If service is intermittent that means it doesn't stay on or go off at regular times.

11,000 people still don't have electricity...the power was still going out intermittently, meaning it was irregular, as well as cell phone and internet service.

Which IDEAS context clue would have been used to define intermittenly?

• DEFINITION

• EXAMPLE

• ANTONYM

• SYNONYM

Answer explanation

Yes. The definition was written in the sentence.

The Caribbean Sea is used to turbulent weather, such as typhoons and hurricanes. What is the meaning of turbulent?

Answer explanation

Typhoons and hurricanes bring great destruction and death.

The Caribbean Sea is used to turbulent weather, such as typhoons and hurricanes. Which IDEAS context clue should have been used to define turbulent?

Answer explanation

You would have used the examples context clue because the sentence provided two examples of turbulent weather--typhoons and hurricanes.

Juan and his family sought a durable structure to ride out the storm. Their poorly built house had already part of its roof. If they stayed in their weakened home, they would surely die in the storm.

What is the meaning of durable?

Answer explanation

Durable means that it's long-lasting and strong

Juan and his family sought a durable structure to ride out the storm. Their poorly built house had already part of its roof. If they stayed in their weakened home, they would surely die in the storm.

Which IDEAS context clue would have been used to determine the meaning of the word durable?

Answer explanation

The antonym context clue would have been used because the author gives you the opposite of a durable house which is a poorly built or weakened home.