created by jacqueline miller for the love of the children copyright 2015

Created by Jacqueline MillerFor the Love of the Children

Copyright 2015

Context clues are words in and around an unknown word or phrase.

These clues help the reader figure out the meaning of the word or phrase.

ExampleMrs. Miller was hroralo about going home after work. She couldn’t wait

to see her sweet Naomi!

Can you examine the context (words around the unknown word) and figure out the meaning of the

nonsense word hroralo?

ExampleMrs. Miller was ___________about

going home after work. She couldn’t wait to see her sweet Naomi!

Did you guess EXCITED? You used the CONTEXT to

figure out the answer. Great job!

Types of context clues

(Click here to reveal the types of clues.)

Synonyms

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learn more.)

Antonyms(Click here to learn more)

Explanation

(Click here to

learn more)

Example(Click here to learn more)

Synonyms

SYNONYMSAME

Happy

Joyful

Exuberant

Enthusiastic

Delighted

Synonyms

The ecstatic fans felt great joy when their team won the championship. joy

Click here to reveal the context clue.

Synonyms

The ecstatic fans felt great joy when their team won the championship. joy

JOY is a synonym for ecstatic. They mean the SAME THING! The use of the word joy helps the reader know that ecstatic means full of joy.

Types of context clues(Click here to review the types

of clues.)

Synonyms

(Click here to

learn more.)


Explanation

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learn more)


AntonymsANTONYMSANTONYMS

Hot

Cold

Sad HappyBored Engaged

Awesome

Lame

Antonyms

The ecstatic fans of the home team rejoiced, but the opposing team felt great sorrow at having lost the big game. sorrow


Antonyms

The ecstatic fans of the home team rejoiced, but the opposing team felt great sorrow at having lost the big game. sorrow

ECSTATIC and SORROW have opposite meanings. The use of the word sorrow helps the reader know that ecstatic means very happy.



Synonyms

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learn more.)


Explanation

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learn more)


ExplanationEXPLAINEXPLANATIONBase Word

The writer explains what is happening. This explanation helps the reader figure out the meaning of the unknown word.

Explanation

The ecstatic fans roared with approval as the team scored the game-winning touchdown. They jumped up and down, gave high fives, and cheered for their home team.

roared with


approval

They jumped up and down,gave high fives, cheered

Explanation

The ecstatic fans roared with approval as the team scored the game-winning touchdown. They jumped up and down, gave high fives, and cheered for their home team.

roared with

The explanation of what is going on helps the reader figure out that ecstatic means very happy.

approval

They jumped up and down,gave high fives, cheered



Synonyms

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learn more.)


Explanation

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learn more)


ExampleSamples of Examples

Athletes• Basketball Players• Soccer Players• Football Players

Civil Servants• Police officers• Firefighters

Subjects• Math• Science• Language Arts• Social Studies

Felonies• Murder• Grand Larceny• Battery & Assault• Drug dealing

The writer gives examples of the unknown word. The examples help the reader figure out the meaning of the unknown word.

The jocks of the school work hard to keep their grades up. These football, soccer, and volleyball players know they can’t fail their classes if they want to be eligible to play.

football,


soccervolleyball players

Example

The jocks of the school work hard to keep their grades up. These football, soccer, and volleyball players know they can’t fail their classes if they want to be eligible to play.

football,

These examples of athletes help the reader know that ‘jocks’ is another word for athletes.

soccervolleyball players

Example

Now let’s practice!

Synonyms Antonyms

Explanation Example

Click the word below. Read the sentence. Determine the type of context clue given that helps you figure out the meaning of the word.

block(Click here)

Note: There are a lot of different meanings of the word ‘block’. Use the context clues to determine the way in which the word is used in the sentence.

A. synonym

1. Traffic was blocked on the expressway, but the side streets were clear.

B. antonym C. explanation D. example

Type of Context Clueclear

Click here to see a hint.


block (Click here)


A. synonym

2. Traffic was blocked on the expressway for an hour because of the accident involving the two semi trucks.

C. explanationB. antonym D. example

Type of Context Cluethe accident involving the two semi trucks.



block(Click here)


C. explanation

3. Traffic was blocked because the police had the street closed off for the parade.

A. synonym B. antonym D. example

Type of Context Clue

closed off



block(Click here)


C. explanation

4. Some people have proposed using fences, border patrol officers, and barricades to block immigrants from illegally entering the country.

D. exampleB. antonymA. synonym

Type of Context Cluefences, border patrol officers,


barricades

Reread the four sentences that used the word block. block

Sentence #1-Traffic was blocked on the expressway, but the side streets were clear.

Sentence #2-Traffic was blocked on the expressway for an hour because of the accident involving two semi trucks.

Sentence #3-Traffic was blocked because the police had the street closed off for the parade.

Sentence #4-Some people have proposed using fences, border patrol officers, and barricades to block immigrants from illegally entering the country.

Select the part of speech for the word blocked as it is used in the sentences above.

Noun Verb

Now use a dictionary to look up the meaning of the word block. Find the definition for the way in which it is used in the sentences above.

Easy dictionary Challenging dictionary

http://www.learnersdictionary.com/


http://www.dictionary.com/



labyrinth

C. explanation

5. It was quite difficult to work my way through the labyrinth. I kept getting lost in the complex maze.

A. synonym B. antonym D. example

Type of Context Cluemaze


Reread the sentence that used the word labyrinth. labyrinth

It was quite difficult to work my way through the labyrinth. I kept getting lost in the complex maze.

Select the part of speech for the word labyrinth as it is used in the sentence above.

Noun Verb

Now use a dictionary to look up the meaning of the word labyrinth. Find the definition for the way in which it is used in the sentence above.







entrepreneur

C. explanation

6. Oprah Winfrey, J.K. Rowling, and Steve Jobs are all very famous entrepreneurs.



Oprah Winfrey, J.K. Rowling, and Steve Jobs


Reread the sentence that used the word entrepreneurs.

entrepreneurs

Oprah Winfrey, J.K. Rowling, and Steve Jobs are all very famous entrepreneurs.

Select the part of speech for the word entrepreneurs as it is used in the sentence above.

Noun Verb

Now use a dictionary to look up the meaning of the word entrepreneurs. Find the definition for the way in which it is used in the sentence above.







Good Samaritan

D. example

7. Joseph saw an elderly woman struggling with her bags. He stopped and helped her without expecting anything in return. He’s such a Good Samaritan.

C. explanationB. antonymA. synonym

Type of Context Cluestopped and helped her without expecting anything in return.


Reread the sentence that used the word Good Samaritan.

Good Samaritan

Joseph saw an elderly woman struggling with her bags. He stopped and helped her without expecting anything in return. He’s such a Good Samaritan.

Select the part of speech for the word Good Samaritan as it is used in the sentence above.

Noun Verb

Now use a dictionary to look up the meaning of the word Good Samaritan. Find the definition for the way in which it is used in the sentence above.


Adjective






rodents

C. explanation

8. Rodents, such as mice and rats, are quite disgusting to some people. Others have them as pets.



mice and rats


Reread the sentence that used the word rodents.

Rodents

Rodents, such as mice and rats, are quite disgusting to some people. Others have them as pets.

Select the part of speech for the word rodents as it is used in the sentence above.

Noun Verb

Now use a dictionary to look up the meaning of the word rodents. Find the definition for the way in which it is used in the sentence above.


Adjective






senile

C. explanation

9. The senile man just isn’t as sharp as he used to be.

B. antonym D. exampleA. synonym


sharp


Reread the sentence that used the word senile.

senile

The senile man just isn’t as sharp as he used to be.

Select the part of speech for the word senile as it is used in the sentence above.

Noun Verb

Now use a dictionary to look up the meaning of the word senile. Find the definition for the way in which it is used in the sentence above.


Adjective






cartilage

C. explanation

10. The athlete’s season ended when he damaged the cartilage in his knee. He would need surgery to repair the torn tissue.

A. synonym D. exampleB. antonym

Type of Context Cluetissue


Reread the sentence that used the word cartilage.

cartilage

The athlete’s season ended when he damaged the cartilage in his knee. He would need surgery to repair the torn tissue.

Select the part of speech for the word cartilage as it is used in the sentence above.

Noun Verb

Now use a dictionary to look up the meaning of the word cartilage. Find the definition for the way in which it is used in the sentence above.


Adjective





Let’s change it up a bit!

Synonyms Antonyms

Explanation Example

Click the word below. Read the sentence. Determine how the sentence or groups of sentences would end if the writer wanted to use the type of clue indicated.

narcissistic

A. She can’t stop looking in the mirror and talking about how gorgeous she is.

11. Jeanette is so narcissistic…

C. She is conceited and vain.

B. She’s right up there with the stepmother from Snow White.

D. …but her twin sister is quite humble.

Synonym


narcissistic

D. She can’t stop looking in the mirror and talking about how gorgeous she is.


B. …but her twin sister is quite humble.

C. She’s right up there with the stepmother from Snow White.

A. She is extremely conceited and vain.

Antonym


narcissistic



A. She can’t stop looking in the mirror and talking about how gorgeous she is.

C. She is conceited and vain.

D. …but her twin sister is so humble.

Explanation


narcissistic

D. She can’t stop looking in the mirror and talking about how gorgeous she is.



A. She is conceited and vain.

C. …but her twin sister is so humble.

Example

Reread the four sentences that used the word narcissistic.

narcissistic

Sentence #1-Jeanette is so narcissistic. She can’t stop looking in the mirror and talking about how gorgeous she is.

Sentence #2-Jeanette is so narcissistic. She’s right up there with the stepmother from Snow White.

Sentence #3-Jeanette is so narcissistic. She is conceited and vain.

Sentence #4-Jeanette is so narcissistic, but her twin sister is quite humble.

Select the part of speech for the word narcissistic as it is used in the sentences above.

Noun Verb

Now use a dictionary to look up the meaning of the word narcissisic . Find the definition for the way in which it is used in the sentences above.


Adjective






instigate

B. He told Mark that Lee had been talking about his mama.

15. John tried to instigate a fight between Mark and Lee.

D. However, Mariah tried to keep the peace.

A. Marcus posted on Snap Chat and Instagram that he thought Mark would win the fight.

C. Other classmates encouraged the fight.

Antonym

Reread the four sentences that used the word instigate .

instigate

Sentence #1-John tried to instigate a fight between Mark and Lee. Marcus posted on Snap Chat and Instagram that he thought Mark would win the fight.

Sentence #2-John tried to instigate a fight between Mark and Lee. He told Mark that Lee had been talking about his mama.

Sentence #3-John tried to instigate a fight between Mark and Lee. Other classmates encouraged the fight.

Sentence #4-John tried to instigate a fight between Mark and Lee; however, Mariah tried to keep the peace.

Select the part of speech for the word instigate as it is used in the sentences above.

Noun Verb

Now use a dictionary to look up the meaning of the word instigate. Find the definition for the way in which it is used in the sentences above.


Adjective






frugal

C. …or careful with how he spends money.

16. Some people say that Scrooge is frugal…

B. …because he rarely spends money on extra things since he’s always trying to save a dollar.

A. …and stingy. D. …but I think he’s just cheap.

Explanation

Reread the four sentences that used the word frugal. frugal

Sentence # 1. Some people say that Scrooge is frugal and stingy.

Sentence #2-Some people say that Scrooge is frugal because he rarely spends money on extra things since he’s always trying to save a dollar.

Sentence #3-Some people say that Scrooge is frugal, or careful with how he spends money.

Sentence #4- Some people say that Scrooge is frugal, but I think he’s just cheap.

Select the part of speech for the word frugal as it is used in the sentences above.

Noun Verb

Now use a dictionary to look up the meaning of the word frugal. Find the definition for the way in which it is used in the sentences above.


Adjective





created by jacqueline miller for the love of the children copyright 2015

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