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Context Clues
for Completion

Learn to use the clues hidden in a sentence to pick the word that fits just right.

ISEE Lower Level: Verbal Reasoning

What Are Context Clues?

Context clues are the words around a blank that give you hints about the missing word. They help you figure out the answer even if you've never seen the sentence before.

A Sentence Completion Question

The dog was so ? that it ran in fast circles. Answer choices: tired excited sleepy quiet

Why This Matters

No Guessing
Clues lead you to the right answer instead of just picking a word you like.
New Words
You can solve a sentence even with a word you've never met before.
Faster Reading
Spotting clues helps you understand stories and tests more quickly.

Three Kinds of Clues

1
Definition clue. The sentence almost tells you the meaning, like "happy, or cheerful."
2
Example clue. The sentence gives examples, like "fruits such as apples and pears."
3
Contrast clue. A word like but or however shows the opposite idea.

The Golden Rule

1. Read the whole sentence 2. Find the clue words 3. Pick the word that fits the clues

Watch for Signal Words

Same Idea
and, also, because, so, since
Opposite Idea
but, however, although, instead, while

Match vs. Contrast

Match Clue
"It was sunny, so we felt _____ ." → cheerful (matches sunny)
Contrast Clue
"It was sunny, but we felt _____ ." → gloomy (opposite of sunny)

Your Step-by-Step Plan

1
Read it all. Read the full sentence, blank and everything.
2
Underline clues. Find words that describe or hint at the blank.
3
Predict. Say your own word for the blank before looking at the choices.
4
Check choices. Pick the answer closest to your prediction.

Worked Example One

"The baby was _____ because she had not slept all day."

Clue word: not slept Signal: because (match) Prediction: tired / cranky

Worked Example Two

"Maya is usually shy, but at her party she was very _____."

Signal word: but = opposite! Opposite of shy: outgoing

Worked Example Three

"The old bridge was so _____ that the city closed it for repairs."

1
Clue: "closed it for repairs" — something must be wrong with the bridge.
2
Predict: broken or unsafe.
3
Answer: unsafe fits best. ✓

Common Mistakes

✕ Picking a Favorite
Choosing a word you like instead of the one the clues point to.
✕ Ignoring Signals
Missing "but" or "however" and picking a matching word by mistake.
✕ Stopping Early
Not reading past the blank, so you miss the real clue.

Quick Summary

Match Clue Contrast Clue
Signal words and, so, because but, however, although
Missing word Same idea Opposite idea
Example sunny, so cheerful sunny, but gloomy

Question 1 of 5

"The soup was too _____, so I added cold water to cool it down." Which word fits best?

Question 2 of 5

"Liam usually loves crowds, but today he felt _____ around so many people." Which word fits best?

Question 3 of 5

"The room was _____; you could see dust everywhere and toys all over the floor." Which word fits best?

Question 4 of 5

"Because she practiced every day, Ana became very _____ at the piano." Which word fits best?

Question 5 of 5

"The instructions were so _____ that no one could understand how to build the toy." Which word fits best?

You're a Clue Detective!

Read it all, find the clues, predict your word, then pick the best fit. Now you can complete any sentence!