Context Clues

Colorado is home to a beautiful canyon. The Gunnison river carved out this ravine. It's now part of a national park. What is ravine? A. shallow water B. deep valley C. deep water

The manager wanted a weekly inspection, which is a methodical examination of all the equipment. What is methodical? A. disorganized B. chaotic C. weekly D. well thought out

Diane was lethargic; she didn't have the energy to get out of bed. What does lethargic mean? A. sluggish B. hyper C. wired D. depressed

The crime he committed was egregious; he'll never recover from this horrendous scandal. What does egregious mean? A.outstandingly bad B. greedy C. marvelous D. upbeat

He knew his future was precarious and likely to fall apart. What does precarious mean?A. safe B. secure C. superstitious D. uncertain

She was virtuous, unlike her evil and conniving brother. What does virtuous mean? A. having no manners B.rude C.high moral standards D. annoying

During the demonstration, a skirmish broke out so the police were called to restore order. What does skirmish mean? A. fight B. truce C. suspension D. scream

Something in the refrigerator is so putrid, a wave of odor wafted out when we opened the door. What is putrid? A. rancid B. appetizing C. fresh D. pleasant

What word helps you understand peculiar? In 2009, scientists discovered a peculiar rat. This unusual animal weighed 3.5 pounds and was 32 inches long.

I called him a nuisance because he annoyed me with his incessant line of questioning.What is nuisance? A. blessing B. help C. annoyance D. nerd

The team was elated because they just found out they placed in the semifinals. What does elated mean? A.happy B. miserable C. uncertain D. confused

Attempting to avoid the accident was futile; it was impossible for either of them to stop in time. What does futile mean? A. full of purpose B. pointless C. effective D. worthwhile

What does table mean:The student council was not ready to put the issue of vending machines to a vote, so they decided to table the issue for now. A. to put in a list B. to put on a table C.to put aside until later D.to arrange or set

When trying to decode an unfamiliar word, what are 4 types of context clues? Hint: SAGE

She heard the cry of the banshee, a spirit that alludes to the death of a family member. What is banshee? A.an announcer B. a mythological Irish "demon" C. an evil mythological being D.someone who cries wolf

It's no surprise he winced in pain after hitting his thumb with the hammer. What is winced? A. flinched B. scream C. cried D. passed out (from pain)

It was an idyllic day - sunny, warm, and perfect for a walk in the park. What does idyllic mean? A. beautiful B. optimistic C. hopeful D. perfect

The new restaurant around the corner specialized in unique dishes that had never been served anywhere else. Which SAGE clue helps you define unique? A.never been served B.specialized C.around the corner D. new restaurant

The splinter was buried deep inside her fingertip. To extract it, she would need to find a pair of tweezers and keep a level head.What clues helps you know extract? A. The splinter B. was buried C. a pair of tweezers D. level head

When Natalee saw the stray cat in the rain, her heart sank. The rain-soaked animal was a truly pathetic sight.What does pathetic mean? A. sick B. horrible C. different D. pitiful

The crime he committed was egregious; he'll never recover from this horrendous scandal.What does egregious mean? A.outstandingly bad B. greedy C. marvelous D. upbeat

What does racket mean? Though some may have described the sound of the bagpipes as beautiful, to Grandpa it sounded like a loud racket. A. a happy sound B. an illegal activity C. a terrible noise D. a device used for tennis

Elena found the word problem confusing and difficult, so she asked her teacher if he could simplify it for her. Which SAGE clue helps you understand simplify? A. word problem B. difficult C. teacher D. found

What does jam mean in this sentence: If the entire class wanted to take the same subway train, they would have to jam into a crowded compartment. A. to wedge between B. to squeeze C. to block D.to apply

This painting of the landscape is picturesque, while the one of the old house is just plain ugly. What does picturesque mean? A. attractive B. dull C. unkempt D. ugly

Before her job interview, Jayla was nervous. When the boss cracked a few jokes, she was less timid. What word helps you understand timid?

We know the dog has a kind disposition because we've never seen her bite or scratch anyone. What does disposition mean? A. hostile B. temperament C. heart D. home life

His animosity, or hatred, of his sister divided the family. What does animosity mean? A. nervous B. friendship C.goodwill D.strong hostility

This situation is a conundrum, a puzzle that's difficult to solve. What does conundrum mean? A. simple B. interesting C.a confusing and difficult problem or question D. who knows??

The treasure they discovered had been buried deep in the sand. It would take all day to unearth it.What does unearth mean? A. to get up B. to bury C. to find D. to uncover

The feral cat would not let us pet him, unlike our friendly cat. What does feral mean? A. domesticated B. tame C. pet D. wild

Millions of people came from all over to meet to have their voices heard. Jerry had never seen so many individuals congregate in one place. What does congregate mean? A.to assemble B.to talk to Congress C.to travel from near by D.far travel