Name _____________________________ Date ___________________ (Answer ID # 0185689) Context Clues 1. The sight of the ominous clouds told us that clear weather was far from our area. Using the antonym clue, the word ominous in this sentence means stormy or dark clear bright fluffy 2. Sheila's incredulous attitude frustrated the rest of us because we were trying to tell her the truth about her best friend. Using the antonym clue, the word incredulous in this sentence means unbelieving formal violent innocent 3. Where we live in Northern Maine, the winters are quite harsh. Each year we fly to a warm climate for a break from the cold weather. It feels like utopia every time we step off the plane at our destination. Using the explanation clue, the word utopia in this sentence means nighttime trickery dreamland vacancy 4. Brad made a cursory effort to finish his homework. This was unlike him; usually he worked hard to finish before dinner. Using the contrast clue, the word cursory in this sentence means actual valid insincere genuine 5. The string was so taut that you could not stretch it any more without breaking it. Using the explanation clue, the word taut in this sentence means poor stretched tightly light fragile 6. Vicissitudes, such as circumstances, developments, or journeys in life, can change a person forever. Using the example clue, the word vicissitudes in this sentence means vacations families life experiences 1 of 14 5/3/10 6:38 PMName _____________________________ Date ___________________ (Answer ID # 0821280) Context Clues 7. I felt sorry for the poor pathetic dog after he was dropped off along the road in the rain. Using the synonym clue, the word pathetic in this sentence means sad happy cheerful joyful 8. Debilitating illnesses include Lou Gehrig's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Using the example clue, the word debilitating in this sentence means improving weakening strengthening energizing 9. Phyllis felt elated when she won the race. Using the explanation clue, the word elated in this sentence means sick miserable happy tired 10. The reporters were allowed to query the actress, such as asking her to tell us about her new movie, but they were not allowed to ask questions about her personal life. Using the example clue, the word query in this sentence means attack particle slap question 11. He was stymied over the difficult math problem as if it were a matter of life and death. Using the comparison clue, the word stymied in this sentence means encouraged supported frustrated 12. Marjoram, such as lavender, can be very soothing and relaxing. Using the example clue, the word marjoram in this sentence means flower crayon aromatic herb candle 13. This story is fictitious, just as the other's stories were made up, as well. Using the comparison clue, the word 14. An emollient was used to soothe the burns on the firefighter's arm. The special lotion was known for its healing properties. 2 of 14 5/3/10 6:38 PMfictitious in this sentence means factual imagined true nonfictitious Using the comparison clue, the word emollient in this sentence means sediment irritant salve residue 3 of 14 5/3/10 6:38 PMName _____________________________ Date ___________________ (Answer ID # 0641171) Context Clues 15. Johnny was besotted in not checking the depth of the water before he jumped in, but it was a good thing that his father was wise and checked it first. Using the contrast clue, the word besotted in this sentence means foolish unaware decent incomplete 16. The worshippers congregated, or gathered, for the church service. Using the synonym clue, the word congregated in this sentence means dispersed gathered left went away 17. It is nice that Amy is a tranquil child, but I'd like to see her more energetic at times. Using the contrast clue, the word tranquil in this sentence means difficult sick brave calm 18. Melissa sauntered over to our table while Cheryl hurried over. Using the contrast clue, the word sauntered in this sentence means ran beat rapidly hurried walked in a slow, easy way 19. Tara was always obedient in school while her twin, Tommy, was constantly insubordinate. Using the antonym clue, the word insubordinate in this sentence means following obedient disobedient well-behaved 20. Because of an accident, we were forced to take a circuitous route rather than the most direct way. Using the antonym clue, the word circuitous in this sentence means shortest straight direct roundabout 21. Mom is going to be so mad when she finds out that Peter broke her fragile, or easily broken, lamp. 22. We were all pretty apathetic in the movie about animals, but we became interested when it started showing all the tricks dogs could do. 4 of 14 5/3/10 6:38 PMUsing the synonym clue, the word fragile in this sentence means purple too expensive easily broken strong Using the contrast clue, the word apathetic in this sentence means uninterested angry sleepy gracious 5 of 14 5/3/10 6:38 PMName _____________________________ Date ___________________ (Answer ID # 1032068) Context Clues 23. The cavalry, such as the Confederate soldiers, rode into towns to defend their values. Using the example clue, the word cavalry in this sentence means generous horse soldiers meadow frontier 24. Some people feel perplexed by brain teasers, while others figure them out quickly. Using the comparison clue, the word perplexed in this sentence means at ease troubled or confused relaxed calm 25. Carol was gregarious while Rob liked to be alone. Using the antonym clue, the word gregarious in this sentence means silent sociable alone solitary 26. The lake's water receded, or moved back, so much that the stumps were visible above the water. Using the synonym clue, the word receded in this sentence means rose quit disappeared moved back 27. Lori's mom stayed awake with the sick baby all night but found herself in quite the stupor the next day. Using the contrast clue, the word stupor in this sentence means enthusiastic tired state energetic awake 28. Adam was cajoling one coworker to join the team while Philip tried a different approach -being mean and ordering another coworker to join. Using the contrast clue, the word cajoling in this sentence means mean-spirited force order coax with flattery 29. We took a pair of shoes to the cobbler, so he could fix them for us. 30. No matter what is going on in Mary's life, she always remains nonchalant, or calm. 6 of 14 5/3/10 6:38 PMUsing the explanation clue, the word cobbler in this sentence means convert shield stones shoe mender Using the synonym clue, the word nonchalant in this sentence means alive bitter angry calm 7 of 14 5/3/10 6:38 PMAnswer Key 0185689 1. The sight of the ominous clouds told us that clear weather was far from our area. Using the antonym clue, the word ominous in this sentence means stormy or dark clear bright fluffy 2. Sheila's incredulous attitude frustrated the rest of us because we were trying to tell her the truth about her best friend. Using the antonym clue, the word incredulous in this sentence means unbelieving formal violent innocent 3. Where we live in Northern Maine, the winters are quite harsh. Each year we fly to a warm climate for a break from the cold weather. It feels like utopia every time we step off the plane at our destination. Using the explanation clue, the word utopia in this sentence means nighttime trickery dreamland vacancy 4. Brad made a cursory effort to finish his homework. This was unlike him; usually he worked hard to finish before dinner. Using the contrast clue, the word cursory in this sentence means actual valid insincere genuine 5. The string was so taut that you could not stretch it any more without breaking it. Using the explanation clue, the word taut in this sentence means poor stretched tightly light fragile 6. Vicissitudes, such as circumstances, developments, or journeys in life, can change a person forever. Using the example clue, the word vicissitudes in this sentence means vacations families life experiences 8 of 14 5/3/10 6:38 PMAnswer Key 0821280 7. I felt sorry for the poor pathetic dog after he was dropped off along the road in the rain. Using the synonym clue, the word pathetic in this sentence means sad happy cheerful joyful 8. Debilitating illnesses include Lou Gehrig's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Using the example clue, the word debilitating in this sentence means improving weakening strengthening energizing 9. Phyllis felt elated when she won the race. Using the explanation clue, the word elated in this sentence means sick miserable happy tired 10. The reporters were allowed to query the actress, such as asking her to tell us about her new movie, but they were not allowed to ask questions about her personal life. Using the example clue, the word query in this sentence means attack particle slap question 11. He was stymied over the difficult math problem as if it were a matter of life and death. Using the comparison clue, the word stymied in this sentence means encouraged supported frustrated 12. Marjoram, such as lavender, can be very soothing and relaxing. Using the example clue, the word marjoram in this sentence means flower crayon aromatic herb candle 13. This story is fictitious, just as the other's stories were made up, as well. Using the comparison clue, the word fictitious in this sentence means factual imagined true nonfictitious 14. An emollient was used to soothe the burns on the firefighter's arm. The special lotion was known for its healing properties. Using the comparison clue, the word emollient in this sentence means sediment irritant salve 9 of 14 5/3/10 6:38 PMresidue 10 of 14 5/3/10 6:38 PMAnswer Key 0641171 15. Johnny was besotted in not checking the depth of the water before he jumped in, but it was a good thing that his father was wise and checked it first. Using the contrast clue, the word besotted in this sentence means foolish unaware decent incomplete 16. The worshippers congregated, or gathered, for the church service. Using the synonym clue, the word congregated in this sentence means dispersed gathered left went away 17. It is nice that Amy is a tranquil child, but I'd like to see her more energetic at times. Using the contrast clue, the word tranquil in this sentence means difficult sick brave calm 18. Melissa sauntered over to our table while Cheryl hurried over. Using the contrast clue, the word sauntered in this sentence means ran beat rapidly hurried walked in a slow, easy way 19. Tara was always obedient in school while her twin, Tommy, was constantly insubordinate. Using the antonym clue, the word insubordinate in this sentence means following obedient disobedient well-behaved 20. Because of an accident, we were forced to take a circuitous route rather than the most direct way. Using the antonym clue, the word circuitous in this sentence means shortest straight direct roundabout 21. Mom is going to be so mad when she finds out that Peter broke her fragile, or easily broken, lamp. Using the synonym clue, the word fragile in this sentence means purple too expensive easily broken 22. We were all pretty apathetic in the movie about animals, but we became interested when it started showing all the tricks dogs could do. Using the contrast clue, the word apathetic in this sentence means uninterested angry 11 of 14 5/3/10 6:38 PMstrong sleepy gracious 12 of 14 5/3/10 6:38 PMAnswer Key 1032068 23. The cavalry, such as the Confederate soldiers, rode into towns to defend their values. Using the example clue, the word cavalry in this sentence means generous horse soldiers meadow frontier 24. Some people feel perplexed by brain teasers, while others figure them out quickly. Using the comparison clue, the word perplexed in this sentence means at ease troubled or confused relaxed calm 25. Carol was gregarious while Rob liked to be alone. Using the antonym clue, the word gregarious in this sentence means silent sociable alone solitary 26. The lake's water receded, or moved back, so much that the stumps were visible above the water. Using the synonym clue, the word receded in this sentence means rose quit disappeared moved back 27. Lori's mom stayed awake with the sick baby all night but found herself in quite the stupor the next day. Using the contrast clue, the word stupor in this sentence means enthusiastic tired state energetic awake 28. Adam was cajoling one coworker to join the team while Philip tried a different approach -being mean and ordering another coworker to join. Using the contrast clue, the word cajoling in this sentence means mean-spirited force order coax with flattery 29. We took a pair of shoes to the cobbler, so he could fix them for us. Using the explanation clue, the word cobbler in this sentence means convert shield stones 30. No matter what is going on in Mary's life, she always remains nonchalant, or calm. Using the synonym clue, the word nonchalant in this sentence means alive bitter angry 13 of 14 5/3/10 6:38 PMshoe mender calm 14 of 14 5/3/10 6:38 PM