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Reading – Context Clues

Reading · Level 4 · CCSS: L.4.4, RI.4.4 · Worksheet 3 of 5 · Practice Set 7

Level 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Practice SetsSet 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5 Set 6 Set 7 Set 8 Set 9 Set 10

1 Types of Context Clues

🔑 There are different ways authors help you figure out unknown words. Read each example and identify the clue type.

Definition Clue: The author tells you what the word means. "A habitat is a place where an animal lives."

Example Clue: The author gives examples. "She ate nutritious foods like apples, carrots, and nuts."

Opposite Clue: The author uses an opposite. "Unlike his timid sister, Jake was very brave."

Sentence	Clue Type	Word Meaning
"The vacant house had no furniture, no lights, and no one living there."
"He collected minerals such as quartz, mica, and calcite."
"An estuary is a place where a river meets the sea."
"Unlike her humble teammate, he bragged about every point he scored."

2 Context Clues in a Story

📖 Read the story. Use context clues to figure out the meaning of each underlined word.

The journey through the desert tested every member of the caravan. Camels grew sluggish under the blazing afternoon sun, moving slower with each mile. As night fell, travelers marveled at a brilliant blanket of stars stretching across the dark sky.

Word	I think it means…	My clue was…
journey
sluggish
brilliant

3 Replace with a Synonym

🔄 Use context clues to choose the best synonym for the bold word.

1. The artist's mural was truly vibrant, full of bold colors.

A dull
B colorful
C small

2. The mayor's speech was brief, lasting only two minutes.

A short
B endless
C loud

3. The team decided to postpone the game because of the storm.

A delay
B cancel forever
C start early

4 Create a Context Clue Sentence

✍️ Write a sentence for each word that gives a reader clues about what it means. Don't use the definition directly!

Word: diligent (meaning: hard-working)

Word: murky (meaning: dark and unclear)

Word: immense (meaning: extremely large)

5 SBA Practice: Two-Part Evidence Question

On the state test, you must support your answers with evidence from the text. Practice finding the BEST evidence.

Part A: What does the word or phrase mean as used in this text?

Part B: Which sentence or phrase from the text provides the STRONGEST evidence for your answer to Part A? Copy it here:

Part C: Explain how this evidence supports your answer. Use complete sentences.

+ Bonus Reading Practice

Use this short practice to extend Set 7.

Topic words: farm, barn, goat, gate

1. Write one sentence using two of the words above.

2. What detail would you expect to find in a passage about this topic?

3. Write one inference a reader could make from a text about this topic.