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Context Clues

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  • Abruptly. The truck abruptly stopped when a small child ran out into the street. The driver did everything he could to avoid hitting the child.
    suddenly or unexpectedly
    over a long period of time
    expectedly
  • Haggle. At the flea market it is acceptable to haggle over prices. If you think it is priced too high, you can try to get it lowered.
    keep the price the same
    bargain over the price
    raise the price
  • Bewilder. Calculus has been known to bewilder many students. All of the letters and numbers start to get confusing.
    give information to someone
    confuse someone
    provide insight into something
  • Mandate. During the hurricane, the officials received a mandate from the mayor to evacuate the city. The evacuation was not a choice.
    an independent task
    fear of completion
    an official order to do something
  • Abate. The soldier was given medicine to abate the pain in his leg after the war was over. He was in intense pain when he went to the hospital.
    become less intense
    become more intense
    remain the same
  • Agitate. The bullies were trying to agitate the little girl by talking about her behind her back. Now she is worried about what they will do to her.
    make someone feel nervous or troubled
    make someone feel pleased
    make someone feel at ease
  • Dawdle. The student didn't want to go to class so he dawdled in the hallway. When the principal saw what was going on, he hurried the student along.
    use time wisely
    move quickly
    move slowly; waste time
  • Compel. The teacher compelled her students to do their homework by threatening to fail every student who did not turn it in.
    force someone to do something
    having no boundaries
    allow someone to do anything
  • Stodgy. I thought thte new t.v. show would be funny and exciting. Instead, I found it to be rather stodgy.
    dull or uninspired
    funny and exciting
    without care
  • Famished. When they were finally rescued, the men were famished. They spent four days lost at sea with no food.
    full; satisfied
    needing nothingq
    very hungry
  • Authentic. We know the artwork is authentic, because the author's signature and date are located on the back.
    anonymous
    genuine; of known origin
    of unknown origin
  • Nimble. The nimble runner quickly ran around the track and jumped over the hurdles. He beat the other runners by at least 10 seconds.
    quick, light in movement; agile
    slow and leisurely
    with heavy movements and steps
  • Irate. The driver was irate when the truck hit his car. He jumped out and started screaming at the other driver.
    friendly and social
    extremely angry
    even-tempered
  • Flagrant. The student showed a flagrant disregard for the teacher's rule about cheating when he stole the test.
    with thoughtfulness
    obviously offensive
    lacking offense
  • Abrasive. The abrasive sandpaper was used to make the wood smooth.
    material used for connecting
    material used for painting
    material used for grinding or polishing
  • Blatant. He blatantly defied the principal's order not to leave the school. He walked out of the building while the principal was still talking.
    bad behavior done provately
    good behavior done privately
    bad behavior done openly
  • Sullen. After failing her history final, Kerri was sullen for days. Non one could find a way to cheer her up.
    even-tempered; unaffected
    gloomy; bad tempered
    being in a great mood
  • Copious. After the supply drive, there were copious amounts of school supplies to give out. I have never seen that many pairs of scissors or bottles of glue.
    abundance of supplies; a lot
    an adequate amount
    a lack of supplies; very little
  • Docile. The docile horse made its way along the beginners trail. He was easily led by a farm hand.
    easily led or controlled
    new with little knowledge
    hostile; not easily controlled
  • Shirk. It's unbelievable that the lifeguard tried to shirk his responsibilities. Someone could have drowned and there would have been no one there to save them.
    to avoid or neglect
    to take responsibility
    move quickly
  • Negligent. After leaving the baby at home alone for more than five hours, the mother was found to be negligent. This caused her to lose custody of her child.
    not taking care of something
    responsibility
    completing tasks with care
  • Talisman. Many people consider a rabbits foot be to a talisman. They say carrying it around with them brings good luck.
    object to bring good luck
    object that is cursed
    an object that is not tangible
  • Abode. After his business trip, the man returned to his humble abode. He was excited to finally be home and sleeping in his own bed.
    house or home
    large area of open land
    hotel
  • Admonish. The students were admonished for their plagiarizing their reports. Th next time they get caught they will be expelled.
    firmly reprimand
    share excitedly
    praise
  • Belligerent. The man became belligerent when he thought no on e was willing to help him. All of the bystanders were scared he would try to start a fight with them.
    hostile or aggressive
    friendly
    unwilling to help
  • Ludicrous. Most people think the ides of astronauts finding aliens on another planet is ludicrous.
    foolish; ridiculous
    an abundance of evidence
    completely plausible
  • Abdicate. The two countries went to war because the king would not abdicate the throne. The king refused to allow the to become allies. They felt he was the worst ruler the country had ever seen.
    failure to fulfill responsibility
    fulfill a responsibility
    have success
  • Antagonize. Martha should not have antagonized Sarah. It caused Sarah to become paranoid and Martha was labeled as a bully.
    to make someone feel included
    to agitate self
    cause someone to become agitated
  • Bamboozle. The con artist tried to bamboozle the banker out of millions of dollars. He tricked the banker into giving him access to several bank accounts.
    give false information
    have a quality of honesty
    deceive or cheat someone
  • Inundate. My boss tends to inundate people with projects. Sometimes he gives me so many projects that it is impossible to complete them all.
    given few tasks
    engage with others
    overwhelm with things to be done
  • Rudimentary. You at least need a rudimentary knowledge of programming before you try to create your own website.
    having no knowledge at all
    limited to basic principles
    having extensive knowledge
  • Oration. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave a beautiful oration, discussing the need for equal rights, regardless of skin color.
    a formal speech
    a device for writing speeched
    a brief conversation
  • Relinquish. The stockbroker had to relinquish his position after others found out about the scandal.
    detail of a task
    to gain a reward
    to give something up
  • Allege. The police alleged that Marcus was thr one who committed the crime. However, they couldn't find any proof to charge him with the crime.
    make claim without proof
    show proof of guilt
    place in jail or protective custody
  • Braggart. The braggart was showing off his new mansion. He loves to show people what he can afford, even if it makes others feel bad.
    person who boasts about possessions
    a humble person
    person who is apathetic
  • Gaudy. The girl worse a gaudy dress to the prom. It was covered in glitter, ribbons, and rhinestones.
    boring or dull
    extremely showy; over the top
    humble; not showy
  • Astute. Carl, an astute student, was constantly called to tutor the students who were failing. The teachers couldn't believe how quickly Carl learned the new material.
    to help others
    unable to understand information
    mentally sharp; understand clearly
  • Enthrall. When the football player spoke at the assembly, the students were so enthralled you could hear a pin drip. The student's couldn't take their eyes off of him.
    disengage with someone
    absent-minded
    capture attention or fascination
  • Exonerate. The innocent man was exonerated when the police found new evidence to charge someone else with the crime.
    to have an abundance of evidence
    to find guilty
    to free from blame or guilt
  • Acrid. The paper mill put off an acrid smell. The people in town stated that it made their eyes water and noses burn.
    strong, unpleasant taste or smell
    wanting to taste or smell
    pleasant taste or smell
  • Candor. The mayor's candor worked both in her favor and against her. While some people loved her open and honest communication, others only wanted to hear positive things.
    open and honest quality in someone
    pretend things don't exist
    private; someone who hides information
  • Connotation. The word "pig" has a negative connotation when you are talking about a person. That is one animal people don't like being called.
    a neutral feeling
    idea or feeling perceived by a word
    a literal meaning
  • Fathom. I can't even begin to fathom how you drove your car up a pole. That makes absolutely no sense.
    an activity that is boring
    confusion
    understand after thought
  • Exuberant. Cathy won the mayoral race, partly because of her exuberant personality. Everyone loved her excited energy.
    willingness to help others
    boring or dull
    filled with energy and excitement
  • Punctual. Maria is always punctual, which is why tardiness really frustrates her. She can't stand it when someone is late.
    late
    on time
    having no sense of time
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