CONTEXTUAL CLUES

Because there was so little precipitation this year, the crops dried up and died.

• rain

• fertilizer

• planting

• transpiration

Our baseball team's pitcher has a few eccentric habits, such as throwing exactly thirteen warm-up pitches and never wearing socks.

• normal

• strange

• messy

• funny

Although I was unable to understand all of the details of the presentation, I did get the gist of it.

• humor

• notes

• main point

• introduction

At a special ceremony, the police chief gave the officer a commendation for bravery.

• an award for an outstanding achievement

• positive comments

• trophy or medal

• an object designed to bring good luck

One brother is an erudite professor; the other brother, however, has never shown any interest in books or learning.

• snobbish; stuck up

• hardworking; prudent

• old; elderly

• well-educated; well-read

The waiter was so brusque that we left only a small tip. He was impolite and impatient, and seemed annoyed whenever we asked for something.

• hardworking and talkative

• frightening looking

• acting or speaking in a rude, abrupt manner

• knowledgeable and skilled

Night is the time when many animals forage, or search, for food.

• looking for food

• looking out for places to live

• come out at night

• sleep