Context Clues

This is a clandestine operation. It is extremely important that no one discovers what you’re doing! A clandestine operation is supposed to be __________. a. dangerous b. harmful c. exciting d. secret

Pam and Gia are sisters, but they’re very different. Just look at how they dress. Pam doesn’t care what she wears. Gia, on the other hand, is quite chic. The word chic means: a. intelligent b. stylish c. strange d. out-dated

The home team made sure the officials were on their side. They won the championship but no one from any other town would accept the winners as legitimate champions. Legitimate means: a. real b. talented c. sneaky d. good looking

I like that store. The employees care about their customers and strive to make the customers feel right at home. Which word is a synonym of “strive”? a. complain b. try c. fail d. clean

Michael is an ardent supporter of his presidential candidate. That became obvious to me when I found out how much time he’s donated to the campaign. Ardent means: a. old b. intelligent c. foolish d. enthusiastic

No one suspected that Jerry was a spy. On the surface he behaved like any normal citizen. When his covert activity was discovered and announced to the world, we were all shocked. Covert means: a. friendly b. helpful c. hidden d. loud

Mary, of course you’re always tired. Most nights you stay up late working and infrequently take a day off. What does “infrequently” mean? a. not often b. always c. excitedly d. sadly

We have lofty expectations for you, son. You will attend college and be elected president of the United States before you turn forty. Lofty means: a. high b. shaky c. small d. low

I'm working hard for the same candidate that you support. You're doing it for pay but I'm not doing this for money. I’m doing it out of conviction. Conviction means: a. being found guilty b. strong belief c. anger d. fear

“I am going to rescind the permission I gave for you to use my toys," T. J. announced angrily. I thought you would take good care of them, but I was wrong!” Rescind means: a. cancel b. celebrate c. continue d. repeat

David hoped that nobody would know he was in the building. Didn’t he realize that parking his new car in the driveway made his presence rather conspicuous? The word conspicuous means: a. important b. expensive c. unfortunate d. obvious

I was working with three other students on a group project for Science class. We had so many disagreements that we had to ask the teacher to help us resolve our issues. Resolve means: a. cancel b. consider c. debate d. settle

Connie is never happy when everyone is getting along. She always instigates fights and then acts like little Miss Innocent. When you instigate something, you __________. a. check it out b. protect it c. get it started d. ignore it

I looked at the plans for your new house. This is earthquake country. You need to fortify the frame or you’ll have a disaster with the first tremor. The word fortify means: a. shake b. build c. strengthen d. destroy

When Kim and Kia were fighting over a boy, Shana stepped in as a mediator. She sat them both down and got them talking to each other again. Mediator means: a. troublemaker b. peacemaker c. witness d. enemy

Lisa said, “Mia, why are you making such a big deal about Rob’s hair? Yes, he did dye it purple and it's an odd color. But so what? It's such a trivial matter.” Trivial means: a. strange b. unimportant c. disgusting d. dangerous

If you don’t get help quickly for your condition, it could become chronic. Then you may have to take medicine for the rest of your life. Chronic. a. is very painful b. long-lasting c. makes you smell bad d. not real