Name _____________________________ Date ___________________ (Answer ID # 0801104) Context Clues 1. Thespians, such as Tom Cruise, George Lopez, and Hilary Duff, star in movies and television shows. Using the example clue, the word thespians in this sentence means fans audience members actor or performer 2. Jill's capricious behavior shows up when she speaks out of turn. Using the comparison clue, the word capricious in this sentence means stable careful steady careless 3. Some people actuate a discussion, while others like to sit and listen to what is being said. Using the antonym clue, the word actuate in this sentence means start stop halt 4. Bobby thinks it's funny to tantalize Sally, such as making fun of her curly hair, but it only makes the other kids mad at him. Using the example clue, the word tantalize in this sentence means rush poke talk to tease 5. We could tell by the rotten smell, that something putrid was in our trash can. Using the explanation clue, the word putrid in this sentence means alive appealing ample rotten 6. Her family showed their gentility at the picnic, unlike their rude cousins who chose to throw food. Using the contrast clue, the word gentility in this sentence means unpleasantness nastiness sophistication or good manners rudeness 1 of 14 5/3/10 6:36 PMName _____________________________ Date ___________________ (Answer ID # 0886577) Context Clues 7. Zack was a good at many sports. He excelled in swimming, running, horsemanship, fencing, and target shooting. He decided to compete in the pentathlon rather than having to choose one of the events. Using the example clue, the word pentathlon in this sentence means competition with eight events competition with two events competition with ten events competition with five events 8. The artist was very careful and exact as he meticulously painted the portrait. Using the synonym clue, the word meticulously in this sentence means hurriedly sloppy careless precise or detailed 9. Mark was pretty diffident when he was younger, but he's one of the most outgoing kids in class now. Using the antonym clue, the word diffident in this sentence means painful shy terrible dumb 10. Phyllis felt elated when she won the race. Using the explanation clue, the word elated in this sentence means happy tired miserable sick 11. The boy hurried precipitously to get his homework done so that he could play basketball before going to bed. Using the synonym clue, the word precipitously in this sentence means carelessly cautiously carefully 12. Rob contacted the thespian organization to try to find a part in the Off-Broadway production. Using the explanation clue, the word thespian in this sentence means acting accounting construction business 13. There was pandemonium when the teacher walked out of the door just as there was 14. Although the director thought the play was exciting, the audience found the plot to be 2 of 14 5/3/10 6:36 PMconfusion when the lunch monitor left the cafeteria. Using the comparison clue, the word pandemonium in this sentence means calmness peace serenity confusion insipid. Using the contrast clue, the word insipid in this sentence means moving thrilling bland stirring 3 of 14 5/3/10 6:36 PMName _____________________________ Date ___________________ (Answer ID # 0485801) Context Clues 15. The United States has gained great prosperity. However, she still needs to find solutions for many poor citizens. Using the contrast clue, the word prosperity in this sentence means success poverty shortage failure 16. The army attempted to thwart the enemy with a new plan of attack. Before the enemy realized what was happening, their forces became confused and frustrated. The army won the battle and stopped the enemy's advance. Using the example clue, the word thwart in this sentence means allow permit hinder sanction 17. Although she was skeptical about our plan at first, she finally believed that it would be a good idea. Using the antonym clue, the word skeptical in this sentence means relieved doubting social brave 18. 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 easily broken strong too expensive 19. The departing president of the organization gave his valediction. When he was through, he welcomed the new president to the podium. Using the contrast clue, the word valediction in this sentence means farewell starting welcome beginning 20. John was meticulous in his work as an artist. He took great pains to be detailed, precise, and thorough with all of his paintings. Using the example clue, the word meticulous in this sentence means messy careful sloppy casual 4 of 14 5/3/10 6:36 PM21. The student tried to assimilate the information so that he could understand how satellites orbit in space. Using the explanation clue, the word assimilate in this sentence means not get not learn miss comprehend or learn 22. The king wore a diadem, a crown with many jewels, upon his head. Using the explanation clue, the word diadem in this sentence means sweater halo crown hat 5 of 14 5/3/10 6:36 PMName _____________________________ Date ___________________ (Answer ID # 0413378) Context Clues 23. The plan to rebuild the tower was feasible, and everyone thought it was workable. Using the explanation clue, the word feasible in this sentence means workable destroyed basic incomplete 24. The altruistic volunteer put her life on hold to help the hurricane victims. Using the explanation clue, the word altruistic in this sentence means unselfish selfish greedy coldhearted 25. The dark clouds were a caveat of the coming storm. It was not the only warning we received. The town tornado alarm sounded soon after and gave us enough notice to seek shelter. Using the example clue, the word caveat in this sentence means keep withdrawal warning celebration 26. She talks about others malevolently, unlike her sister who would never say a mean thing about anyone. Using the contrast clue, the word malevolently in this sentence means warmly quietly meanly or maliciously kindly 27. On Valentine's Day, Adam bought his girlfriend a ticket to see his favorite basketball team. This wasn't the amorous gift she was expecting. Using the contrast clue, the word amorous in this sentence means romantic useful selfish practical 28. Without thinking, she inadvertently knocked the priceless vase off of the table. Using the synonym clue, the word inadvertently in this sentence means deliberately purposefully accidentally intentionally 29. Many great orators such as Benjamin Franklin, Patrick Henry, and James Madison 30. He was stymied over the difficult math problem as if it were a matter of life and 6 of 14 5/3/10 6:36 PMlaid the foundation for our constitution. Using the example clue, the word orators in this sentence means poets speakers writers critics death. Using the comparison clue, the word stymied in this sentence means encouraged frustrated supported 7 of 14 5/3/10 6:36 PMAnswer Key 0801104 1. Thespians, such as Tom Cruise, George Lopez, and Hilary Duff, star in movies and television shows. Using the example clue, the word thespians in this sentence means fans audience members actor or performer 2. Jill's capricious behavior shows up when she speaks out of turn. Using the comparison clue, the word capricious in this sentence means stable careful steady careless 3. Some people actuate a discussion, while others like to sit and listen to what is being said. Using the antonym clue, the word actuate in this sentence means start stop halt 4. Bobby thinks it's funny to tantalize Sally, such as making fun of her curly hair, but it only makes the other kids mad at him. Using the example clue, the word tantalize in this sentence means rush poke talk to tease 5. We could tell by the rotten smell, that something putrid was in our trash can. Using the explanation clue, the word putrid in this sentence means alive appealing ample rotten 6. Her family showed their gentility at the picnic, unlike their rude cousins who chose to throw food. Using the contrast clue, the word gentility in this sentence means unpleasantness nastiness sophistication or good manners rudeness 8 of 14 5/3/10 6:36 PMAnswer Key 0886577 7. Zack was a good at many sports. He excelled in swimming, running, horsemanship, fencing, and target shooting. He decided to compete in the pentathlon rather than having to choose one of the events. Using the example clue, the word pentathlon in this sentence means competition with eight events competition with two events competition with ten events competition with five events 8. The artist was very careful and exact as he meticulously painted the portrait. Using the synonym clue, the word meticulously in this sentence means hurriedly sloppy careless precise or detailed 9. Mark was pretty diffident when he was younger, but he's one of the most outgoing kids in class now. Using the antonym clue, the word diffident in this sentence means painful shy terrible dumb 10. Phyllis felt elated when she won the race. Using the explanation clue, the word elated in this sentence means happy tired miserable sick 11. The boy hurried precipitously to get his homework done so that he could play basketball before going to bed. Using the synonym clue, the word precipitously in this sentence means carelessly cautiously carefully 12. Rob contacted the thespian organization to try to find a part in the Off-Broadway production. Using the explanation clue, the word thespian in this sentence means acting accounting construction business 13. There was pandemonium when the teacher walked out of the door just as there was confusion when the lunch monitor left the cafeteria. Using the comparison clue, the word pandemonium in this sentence means 14. Although the director thought the play was exciting, the audience found the plot to be insipid. Using the contrast clue, the word insipid in this sentence means moving 9 of 14 5/3/10 6:36 PMcalmness peace serenity confusion thrilling bland stirring 10 of 14 5/3/10 6:36 PMAnswer Key 0485801 15. The United States has gained great prosperity. However, she still needs to find solutions for many poor citizens. Using the contrast clue, the word prosperity in this sentence means success poverty shortage failure 16. The army attempted to thwart the enemy with a new plan of attack. Before the enemy realized what was happening, their forces became confused and frustrated. The army won the battle and stopped the enemy's advance. Using the example clue, the word thwart in this sentence means allow permit hinder sanction 17. Although she was skeptical about our plan at first, she finally believed that it would be a good idea. Using the antonym clue, the word skeptical in this sentence means relieved doubting social brave 18. 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 easily broken strong too expensive 19. The departing president of the organization gave his valediction. When he was through, he welcomed the new president to the podium. Using the contrast clue, the word valediction in this sentence means farewell starting welcome beginning 20. John was meticulous in his work as an artist. He took great pains to be detailed, precise, and thorough with all of his paintings. Using the example clue, the word meticulous in this sentence means messy careful sloppy casual 21. The student tried to assimilate the information so that he could understand how satellites orbit in space. Using the explanation clue, the word assimilate in this sentence means 22. The king wore a diadem, a crown with many jewels, upon his head. Using the explanation clue, the word diadem in this sentence means 11 of 14 5/3/10 6:36 PMnot get not learn miss comprehend or learn sweater halo crown hat 12 of 14 5/3/10 6:36 PMAnswer Key 0413378 23. The plan to rebuild the tower was feasible, and everyone thought it was workable. Using the explanation clue, the word feasible in this sentence means workable destroyed basic incomplete 24. The altruistic volunteer put her life on hold to help the hurricane victims. Using the explanation clue, the word altruistic in this sentence means unselfish selfish greedy coldhearted 25. The dark clouds were a caveat of the coming storm. It was not the only warning we received. The town tornado alarm sounded soon after and gave us enough notice to seek shelter. Using the example clue, the word caveat in this sentence means keep withdrawal warning celebration 26. She talks about others malevolently, unlike her sister who would never say a mean thing about anyone. Using the contrast clue, the word malevolently in this sentence means warmly quietly meanly or maliciously kindly 27. On Valentine's Day, Adam bought his girlfriend a ticket to see his favorite basketball team. This wasn't the amorous gift she was expecting. Using the contrast clue, the word amorous in this sentence means romantic useful selfish practical 28. Without thinking, she inadvertently knocked the priceless vase off of the table. Using the synonym clue, the word inadvertently in this sentence means deliberately purposefully accidentally intentionally 29. Many great orators such as Benjamin Franklin, Patrick Henry, and James Madison laid the foundation for our constitution. Using the example clue, the word orators in this sentence means poets 30. 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 13 of 14 5/3/10 6:36 PMspeakers writers critics frustrated supported 14 of 14 5/3/10 6:36 PM