Context Clues

When you are reading and come to an unknown word, what should you do first?

• Look for clues in the sentence

• Ask your teacher

• Look it up in the dictionary

• Skip it

The winners of the game wore cheerful grins on their faces, but the losing team looked morose.
What does morose mean?

• nervous

• sorrowful

• ecstatic

• excited

Speaking rudely to the judges was rash behavior. You really hurt your chances of winning! In the above context, what does “rash” mean?

• an itchy skin condition

• funny

• trying to hide or disguise a piece of cheese

• with little thought or consideration

Again they searched meticulously, but no keys.  Where could they be?  They've looked EVERYWHERE! If you did something meticulously, you would be-

• feeling silly.

• working very carefully.

• trying to finish quickly.

• trying to find something.

The McDonald's arches were visible from the highway. We could see them from a mile away.

• rising above

• brightly lit

• able to be seen

• difficult to see

I heard my mom and dad in the kitchen yesterday morning. It was Saturday, so I decided to try to sleep in. Unfortunately, the distinct smell of pancakes came drifting up to my room and made me hungry. I got out of bed and headed downstairs for breakfast. 
What does the word distinct mean?

• the same as everything else

• ordinary

• easily recognized 

Use context clues to decide on the meaning of the word in red: Next week I start fifth grade.  Since I've never been to a real school before, I am pretty much totally and completely petrified.  

• Excited

• Terrified

• Happy

• Angry

Use context clues to find the definition of the words in red: "One thing I've learned after being a middle-school director for twenty years: there are almost always more than two sides to every story.  Although I don't know the details, I have an inkling about what may have sparked the confrontation with James."

• Guess, party

• Idea, fight

• Misunderstanding, struggle

• Joke, problem

What's with you lately? You are moody, and taciturn, and secretive.

• Not talkative

• Excitable

• Happy

• Energetic

She offered a feeble excuse for her late work and they could tell that she wasn’t telling the truth.

• truthful

• excellent

• weak

• unhealthy