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Reading – Context Clues

Reading · Level 4 · CCSS: L.4.4, RI.4.4 · Worksheet 3 of 5 · Practice Set 8

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 brittle leaves crumbled into pieces the moment she touched them."
"They studied constellations like Orion, the Big Dipper, and Cassiopeia."
"A census is an official count of all the people in a country."
"Unlike his impulsive friend, Marco always thought carefully before deciding."

2 Context Clues in a Story

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

The quest to find the hidden waterfall led the campers deep into the forest. By midday, the group felt famished and stopped to share the last of their trail mix. When they finally arrived, the waterfall's thunderous roar echoed off the surrounding cliffs.

Word	I think it means…	My clue was…
quest
famished
thunderous

3 Replace with a Synonym

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

1. The new student was timid, barely speaking above a whisper.

A shy
B loud
C angry

2. The mechanic gave the engine a thorough inspection before the race.

A quick
B complete
C careless

3. We had to evacuate the building when the alarm sounded.

A enter
B leave
C clean

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: meticulous (meaning: very careful and precise)

Word: barren (meaning: empty, without plant life)

Word: jovial (meaning: cheerful and friendly)

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 8.

Topic words: trail, sign, tree, path

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.