Context Clues STAAR

The abandoned house was infested with vermin, including rats, fleas, and cockroaches.

Which type of context clue hints at the word's meaning?

• Example

• Definition/

  Explanation

• Inference

• Synonym

• Antonym

Mary sneered at the ugly sweater. "Wow," she said. "That is just hideous."

Choose the correct definition of the underlined word:

• Beautiful

• Expensive

• Cheap

• Unattractive

Mary sneered at the ugly sweater. "Wow," she said. "That is just hideous." Which type of context clue hints at the word's meaning?

• Example

• Inference

• Definition/

  Explanation

• Synonym

• Antonym

Which word helps you understand what assured means?

• return

• looked
  looked

• led

• promise

Carrie and Maria were quiet and preoccupied. I wonder what put them in such a pensive mood. Pensive means

• thoughtful

• heavy

• talkative

• happy

My little sister was trying to hit me with a water balloon. I ran into my room and locked the door. She tried and tried to open it, but the lock held fast. Fast means

• quick

• alert

• open

• secure

Texas has hundreds of miles of coastline and beaches that border the Gulf of Mexico. Each year many families visit these beaches, which are located on the edge of the gulf. They swim in the water and play in the sand. If you have ever walked along a sandy beach or built a sand castle, you may have wondered what sand is made of. Believe it or not, those soft, fine grains start out as rocks and minerals.
Which words in paragraph 1 help the reader understand the meaning of border? 

• hundreds of miles of coastline 

• located on the edge of the gulf 

• walked along a sandy beach 

• grains start out as rocks and minerals

The word 'melancholy' is used in the sentence: 'The rainy day cast a melancholy shadow over the town.' What does 'melancholy' mean in this context?

• A) Joyful

• B) Sad

• C) Bright

• D) Exciting

In the sentence, 'The detective was astute, quickly noticing the smallest details,' what does 'astute' mean?

• A) Clumsy

• B) Observant

• C) Slow

• D) Careless

Which type of context clue is used in the sentence: 'The arid desert was devoid of water, making it a harsh environment for any living creature'?

• A) Example

• B) Synonym

• C) Antonym

• D) Inference