Context Clues

The class sat nervously as our teacher paced in front of us, obviously angry. Finally, after a few minutes of silence, she spoke. “To say that I am disappointed is an understatement,” she fumed. “Though I know that some of you maintained your correct, appropriate behavior for the substitute, the majority of you chose to forget the classroom rules. What is the meaning of the word appropriate in the paragraph?

• upset

• proper

• valuable

• shocking

The class sat nervously as our teacher paced in front of us, obviously angry. Finally, after a few minutes of silence, she spoke. “To say that I am disappointed is an understatement,” she fumed. “Though I know that some of you maintained your correct, appropriate behavior for the substitute, the majority of you chose to forget the classroom rules.” Which words from the paragraph help the reader understand the meaning of appropriate?

• correct

• understatement

• dissapointed

• the majority of you

I think that all students would benefit from having recess every day. There are many advantages, such as focusing on class work better, fewer kids running in the hallway, and improved behavior overall. Plus, who doesn’t love going outside for some fresh air? Which words from the paragraph help the reader understand the meaning of benefit?

• every day

• some fresh air

• many advatages

• running in the hallway

The D.J. hadn’t shown up yet. There were several leaks in the cafeteria ceiling letting in constant drops of rainwater. The decorations kept falling off of the walls. The dance was supposed to start in 20 minutes. Alexis, the head of the dance planning committee, was almost in tears. “This night is a mess,” she thought to herself. “It’s an absolute catastrophe!” What is the meaning of the word catastrophe in the paragraph?

• celebration

• event that causes change

• disaster

• funny story

The D.J. hadn’t shown up yet. There were several leaks in the cafeteria ceiling letting in constant drops of rainwater. The decorations kept falling off of the walls. The dance was supposed to start in 20 minutes. Alexis, the head of the dance planning committee, was almost in tears. “This night is a mess,” she thought to herself. “It’s an absolute catastrophe!” Which words from the paragraph help the reader understand the meaning of catastrophe?

• almost in tears

• is a mess

• thought to herself

• supposed to start in 20 minutes

The mayor had gathered all of the townspeople of Mayberry into the town square. “Citizens of this great city,” she began, “we have a serious problem that we need to address as a town.” A murmur went through the crowd. Everyone knew what she was talking about; raccoons had taken over city hall.

What is the meaning of the word citizens in the paragraph?

• strangers

• wild animals

• buildings

• inhabitants

The mayor had gathered all of the townspeople of Mayberry into the town square. “Citizens of this great city,” she began, “we have a serious problem that we need to address as a town.” A murmur went through the crowd. Everyone knew what she was talking about; raccoons had taken over city hall. Which words from the paragraph help the reader understand the meaning of citizens?

• we have a serious problem

• a murmur went through the crowd

• townspeople of Mayberry

• racoons had taken over

As I slowly, carefully descended the steep, treacherous mountain, the anxiety that had been hanging over me like a dark cloud slowly began to disintegrate. I had been lost in the wilderness for almost a week with little food to eat and only small, half-frozen streams from which to drink. With every step I took, I was getting closer and closer to civilization. I would soon be in the town I had spotted from the mountain’s peak, able to sleep in a real bed and eat something other than trail mix and beef jerky. Which words from the paragraph help the reader understand the meaning of civilization?

• able to sleep in a real bed

• closer and closer

• half-frozen streams

• •with every step I took

People who work with statistics, or statisticians, often have to analyze large sets of data, looking closely for trends among numbers. Using mathematical techniques, they interpret patterns that explain the world around them. This can help them solve problems in many real world fields like business or government. Which words from the paragraph help the reader understand the meaning of analyze?

• looking closely

• large sets

• real-world fields

• people who work with

I think that all students would benefit from having recess every day. There are many advantages, such as focusing on class work better, fewer kids running in the hallway, and improved behavior overall. Plus, who doesn’t love going outside for some fresh air? What is the meaning of the word benefit in the paragraph?

• gain

• fundraiser

• be damaged

• love