Determining Word Meanings and Mythological Allusions - 4th Grade Reading
Card 1 of 20
Which context clue type uses a synonym to help explain an unfamiliar word?
Which context clue type uses a synonym to help explain an unfamiliar word?
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Synonym clue. A word with similar meaning helps clarify the unknown word.
Synonym clue. A word with similar meaning helps clarify the unknown word.
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Which context clue type uses an opposite or contrast to show a word's meaning?
Which context clue type uses an opposite or contrast to show a word's meaning?
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Antonym (contrast) clue. The text shows what the word doesn't mean through opposites.
Antonym (contrast) clue. The text shows what the word doesn't mean through opposites.
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Which context clue type directly defines the unfamiliar word in the sentence?
Which context clue type directly defines the unfamiliar word in the sentence?
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Definition clue. The meaning is stated right in the same sentence or nearby.
Definition clue. The meaning is stated right in the same sentence or nearby.
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Which context clue type uses examples to show a word's meaning?
Which context clue type uses examples to show a word's meaning?
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Example clue. The text gives specific instances to illustrate the word's meaning.
Example clue. The text gives specific instances to illustrate the word's meaning.
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What is a context clue in reading?
What is a context clue in reading?
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A nearby word or detail that helps explain an unknown word. These hints in the text help readers figure out unfamiliar words.
A nearby word or detail that helps explain an unknown word. These hints in the text help readers figure out unfamiliar words.
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What does it mean to determine a word's meaning "as it is used in a text"?
What does it mean to determine a word's meaning "as it is used in a text"?
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Use context in the passage to choose the correct meaning. Words can have different meanings depending on how they're used in the story.
Use context in the passage to choose the correct meaning. Words can have different meanings depending on how they're used in the story.
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Identify the meaning of "Achilles' heel" in: "Speed was her strength, but fear was her Achilles' heel."
Identify the meaning of "Achilles' heel" in: "Speed was her strength, but fear was her Achilles' heel."
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Her main weakness. Contrasts her strength (speed) with her vulnerable point (fear).
Her main weakness. Contrasts her strength (speed) with her vulnerable point (fear).
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Identify the meaning of "Herculean" in: "Finishing the project alone was a Herculean task."
Identify the meaning of "Herculean" in: "Finishing the project alone was a Herculean task."
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Extremely difficult and requiring great effort. "Alone" emphasizes the enormous effort needed, like Hercules' labors.
Extremely difficult and requiring great effort. "Alone" emphasizes the enormous effort needed, like Hercules' labors.
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What does "narcissistic" mean as an allusion to Narcissus?
What does "narcissistic" mean as an allusion to Narcissus?
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Excessively self-centered or in love with oneself. Narcissus fell in love with his own reflection in mythology.
Excessively self-centered or in love with oneself. Narcissus fell in love with his own reflection in mythology.
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What does "Pandora's box" mean when used as an allusion?
What does "Pandora's box" mean when used as an allusion?
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An action that causes many unexpected problems. Pandora released evils into the world by opening a forbidden box.
An action that causes many unexpected problems. Pandora released evils into the world by opening a forbidden box.
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What does "Midas touch" mean when used as an allusion?
What does "Midas touch" mean when used as an allusion?
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An ability to make money or succeed easily. King Midas turned everything to gold in Greek mythology.
An ability to make money or succeed easily. King Midas turned everything to gold in Greek mythology.
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What does "Achilles' heel" mean when used as an allusion?
What does "Achilles' heel" mean when used as an allusion?
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A hidden weakness. From the Greek hero whose heel was his only vulnerable spot.
A hidden weakness. From the Greek hero whose heel was his only vulnerable spot.
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What does the word "Herculean" mean when it alludes to Hercules?
What does the word "Herculean" mean when it alludes to Hercules?
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Requiring great strength or effort. Named after Hercules, known for his incredible strength.
Requiring great strength or effort. Named after Hercules, known for his incredible strength.
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What is a mythological allusion?
What is a mythological allusion?
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A reference to a character or story from mythology. Authors use these to connect modern ideas to ancient stories.
A reference to a character or story from mythology. Authors use these to connect modern ideas to ancient stories.
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Identify the meaning of "reluctant" in: "He was reluctant to speak, so he stayed quiet."
Identify the meaning of "reluctant" in: "He was reluctant to speak, so he stayed quiet."
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Unwilling. "Stayed quiet" shows he didn't want to speak.
Unwilling. "Stayed quiet" shows he didn't want to speak.
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Identify the meaning of "fragile" in: "Handle the vase carefully; it is fragile."
Identify the meaning of "fragile" in: "Handle the vase carefully; it is fragile."
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Easily broken. "Handle carefully" signals something delicate.
Easily broken. "Handle carefully" signals something delicate.
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Identify the meaning of "glared" in: "She glared at him after he broke the rule."
Identify the meaning of "glared" in: "She glared at him after he broke the rule."
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Looked angrily. Breaking rules made her angry, shown through her look.
Looked angrily. Breaking rules made her angry, shown through her look.
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Identify the meaning of "strolled" in: "We strolled to the park, not rushing at all."
Identify the meaning of "strolled" in: "We strolled to the park, not rushing at all."
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Walked slowly. "Not rushing" shows strolled means moving without hurry.
Walked slowly. "Not rushing" shows strolled means moving without hurry.
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What should you do first if a word has more than one dictionary meaning?
What should you do first if a word has more than one dictionary meaning?
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Choose the meaning that fits the sentence and situation. Context determines which dictionary definition applies.
Choose the meaning that fits the sentence and situation. Context determines which dictionary definition applies.
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Which context clue type shows what caused something and what happened as a result?
Which context clue type shows what caused something and what happened as a result?
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Cause-and-effect clue. The text explains why something happened and its effects.
Cause-and-effect clue. The text explains why something happened and its effects.
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