🎨

Reading – Context Clues

Reading · Level 4 · CCSS: L.4.4, RI.4.4 · Worksheet 3 of 5 · Practice Set 9

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 rigid board would not bend no matter how hard they pushed."
"She identified crustaceans like crabs, lobsters, and shrimp during the tide pool study."
"A monsoon is a strong seasonal wind that brings heavy rain."
"Unlike his candid sister, Theo avoided answering the question directly."

2 Context Clues in a Story

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

The pilgrimage to the ancient temple took travelers across three mountain ranges. By the final stretch, many felt depleted of energy after days without much rest. Arriving at last, they gazed up at the towering stone archway marking the temple entrance.

Word	I think it means…	My clue was…
pilgrimage
depleted
towering

3 Replace with a Synonym

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

1. The judge's decision was impartial, favoring neither side.

A fair
B biased
C confusing

2. The old barn looked dilapidated, with holes in the roof and walls.

A brand new
B run-down
C colorful

3. Please verify your answer before submitting the test.

A confirm
B erase
C guess

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: resilient (meaning: able to recover quickly)

Word: obscure (meaning: not well known)

Word: abundant (meaning: plentiful)

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 9.

Topic words: market, basket, fruit, price

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.