Free sample activity · Grades 3–5

Context Clues Practice

Each question contains an original sentence or short passage. Use the surrounding words to choose the meaning that fits this context, even if a word has other meanings elsewhere.

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6 questions · No account · No timer · Immediate feedback

Before you begin

How to use this activity

Allow five to ten minutes. Identify the clue words before choosing an answer, then substitute the meaning to check whether it fits.

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Try a knowledge check 6 questions · No account needed

Put it into practice

Choose an answer, read the explanation, then move to the next question. Your answers stay in this page and are not saved.

Definition clue

Sentence: 'The cup was transparent; we could see the juice through its sides.' What does transparent mean here?

See-through Heavy Rough
Answer: A.

Being able to see the juice through the sides explains transparent. The sentence gives no clue about weight or roughness.

Contrast clue

Sentence: 'Unlike the noisy cafeteria, the reading room was tranquil.' What does tranquil most likely mean?

Crowded and noisy Calm and quiet Brightly colored
Answer: B.

Unlike signals a contrast with noisy. Calm and quiet fits that contrast; color is not discussed.

Action clue

Sentence: 'The puppy was famished and quickly ate every bite in its bowl.' What does famished mean?

Very sleepy Unable to hear Very hungry
Answer: C.

Eating every bite quickly supplies the clue that the puppy was very hungry.

Example clue

Sentence: 'We packed utensils, including forks and spoons, for the picnic.' What are utensils in this sentence?

Tools used for eating Kinds of fruit Items of clothing
Answer: A.

Forks and spoons are examples of eating tools. Including introduces those examples.

Contrast in behavior

Sentence: 'At first Ava was reluctant to enter the cold pool, but later she jumped in eagerly.' What does reluctant mean?

Excited to begin Unwilling or hesitant Already finished
Answer: B.

The contrast with jumping in eagerly suggests that Ava was hesitant at first.

Meaning in context

Sentence: 'The rough trail was hard to walk on because stones and roots covered the ground.' What does rough mean here?

Impolite Approximate Uneven
Answer: C.

Stones and roots make the ground uneven. Rough can have other meanings, but they do not fit this trail description.

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Keep the reasoning

All questions, answers & explanations

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  1. Definition clue

    Sentence: 'The cup was transparent; we could see the juice through its sides.' What does transparent mean here?

    Answer: See-through

    Being able to see the juice through the sides explains transparent. The sentence gives no clue about weight or roughness.

  2. Contrast clue

    Sentence: 'Unlike the noisy cafeteria, the reading room was tranquil.' What does tranquil most likely mean?

    Answer: Calm and quiet

    Unlike signals a contrast with noisy. Calm and quiet fits that contrast; color is not discussed.

  3. Action clue

    Sentence: 'The puppy was famished and quickly ate every bite in its bowl.' What does famished mean?

    Answer: Very hungry

    Eating every bite quickly supplies the clue that the puppy was very hungry.

  4. Example clue

    Sentence: 'We packed utensils, including forks and spoons, for the picnic.' What are utensils in this sentence?

    Answer: Tools used for eating

    Forks and spoons are examples of eating tools. Including introduces those examples.

  5. Contrast in behavior

    Sentence: 'At first Ava was reluctant to enter the cold pool, but later she jumped in eagerly.' What does reluctant mean?

    Answer: Unwilling or hesitant

    The contrast with jumping in eagerly suggests that Ava was hesitant at first.

  6. Meaning in context

    Sentence: 'The rough trail was hard to walk on because stones and roots covered the ground.' What does rough mean here?

    Answer: Uneven

    Stones and roots make the ground uneven. Rough can have other meanings, but they do not fit this trail description.

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Write a sentence using an unfamiliar word and a helpful clue. Ask a partner to infer the meaning and point to the clue.

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