Context Clues

Callie loved her job taking care of children after school. She really liked all of the children, but Dylan was her favorite. He was very cute and was always nice to everyone. Callie was especially fond of Dylan because he was so sweet.

What is the meaning of the underlined word fond?

• afraid

• have a liking for

• angry

• proud

Theo was the seventeenth person in line to buy the new video game Harmonica Hero X. He had waited all night. When the store manager announced that the store had ten copies of the game to sell, Theo knew it was unlikely that he would get a copy. Theo stayed in line because he thought he had a small chance of getting one.

What does the underlined word unlikely mean?

• probably will not happen

• inpossible

• very possible

• certain

Michael had just fallen asleep in the car when he awoke with a sudden jolt. It caused him to bump his head on the window. "What happened?" he asked Zayne who was driving. "Why did you stop so quickly?"

What does the underlined word jolt mean?

• a car accident

• a way of speeding up

• a loud noise

• a sudden jerking movement

Joey was a toddler who liked to blame things on his pet cat. When Joey made a mess, he yelled, "Bad kitty!" "Don't scold the cat," Joey's mother said, "You're the one who spilled the cereal."

What does the underlined word scold mean?

• punish

• hit

• speak in an angy way to someone

• compliement someone for doing something good

Isaiah was worried about the basketball game. "Don't worry," his mother told him, "you'll do fine." But Isaiah was doubtful. He thought he might drop the ball or trip and fall on the court.

What does the underlined word doubtful mean?

• to be unsure of something

• to play basketball poorly

• to tell someone that it will be okay

• to worry about failing

Miracle owed her big sister ten dollars. To pay her debt, she had to mow her neighbor's lawn and wash windows for her mother. After a day of chores, she was able to pay her sister back.

What does the underlined word debt mean?

• chores

• money

• something that is owed

• extra work

Jeremy was excited about the car ride at the amusement park. He couldn't wait to drive one of the cars around the track. But when he tried to hop into the driver's seat, the ride attendant said, "Sorry, kid. You're too short to drive. You'll have to be a passenger."

What does the underlined word passenger mean?

• someone who drives

• someone who watches

• someone who waits in line

• someone who rides

Jenevah wanted to go to the lake for a picnic lunch. She asked her cousin Tom to take her. Tom told Penelope that he couldn't go to the lake because he was grounded and his parents wouldn't permit him to leave the house. Jenevah tried to think of a different way to get to the lake.

What is the meaning of the underlined word permit?

• stay indoors

• to give permission

• in trouble

• a driver's license