Use Context Clues for Word Meanings - 6th Grade Writing
Card 1 of 25
Which context clue type uses “or,” parentheses, or commas to restate a word’s meaning?
Which context clue type uses “or,” parentheses, or commas to restate a word’s meaning?
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Restatement (also called appositive or synonym clue). The word is restated using different words with the same meaning.
Restatement (also called appositive or synonym clue). The word is restated using different words with the same meaning.
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Identify the meaning of “benevolent” in: “The benevolent neighbor brought food to the sick family.”
Identify the meaning of “benevolent” in: “The benevolent neighbor brought food to the sick family.”
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Kind and helpful. "Brought food to sick" shows kindness through action.
Kind and helpful. "Brought food to sick" shows kindness through action.
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Identify the meaning of “tranquil” in: “The lake was tranquil, with no waves and little sound.”
Identify the meaning of “tranquil” in: “The lake was tranquil, with no waves and little sound.”
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Calm and peaceful. "No waves and little sound" describes peacefulness.
Calm and peaceful. "No waves and little sound" describes peacefulness.
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Identify the meaning of “consequence” in: “If you ignore directions, the consequence may be a lower grade.”
Identify the meaning of “consequence” in: “If you ignore directions, the consequence may be a lower grade.”
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Result or effect. "If...then" structure shows cause-and-effect relationship.
Result or effect. "If...then" structure shows cause-and-effect relationship.
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Identify the meaning of “scarce” in: “Fresh fruit was scarce, so the store limited each customer.”
Identify the meaning of “scarce” in: “Fresh fruit was scarce, so the store limited each customer.”
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In short supply; not enough. "Store limited each customer" shows shortage.
In short supply; not enough. "Store limited each customer" shows shortage.
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Identify the meaning of “commotion” in: “The commotion in the hallway made it hard to hear.”
Identify the meaning of “commotion” in: “The commotion in the hallway made it hard to hear.”
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Loud noise and confusion. "Hard to hear" suggests loud, disruptive activity.
Loud noise and confusion. "Hard to hear" suggests loud, disruptive activity.
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Identify the meaning of “diminish” in: “As the sun set, the light began to diminish.”
Identify the meaning of “diminish” in: “As the sun set, the light began to diminish.”
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Become smaller or weaker; decrease. "As sun set" shows light getting weaker or less.
Become smaller or weaker; decrease. "As sun set" shows light getting weaker or less.
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Identify the meaning of “vital” in: “Water is vital to survival; without it, people cannot live.”
Identify the meaning of “vital” in: “Water is vital to survival; without it, people cannot live.”
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Necessary; essential. "Cannot live without it" shows vital means essential.
Necessary; essential. "Cannot live without it" shows vital means essential.
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Identify the meaning of “reluctant” in: “She was reluctant, but she agreed after more information.”
Identify the meaning of “reluctant” in: “She was reluctant, but she agreed after more information.”
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Unwilling; hesitant. "But she agreed" shows contrast, revealing hesitation.
Unwilling; hesitant. "But she agreed" shows contrast, revealing hesitation.
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Identify the meaning of “arid” in: “The arid desert received almost no rain for months.”
Identify the meaning of “arid” in: “The arid desert received almost no rain for months.”
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Very dry. "No rain" context clue shows arid means lacking moisture.
Very dry. "No rain" context clue shows arid means lacking moisture.
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Which punctuation mark often introduces an explanation or definition after a word?
Which punctuation mark often introduces an explanation or definition after a word?
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Colon. This punctuation signals that a definition or list follows.
Colon. This punctuation signals that a definition or list follows.
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Which punctuation mark most often signals an appositive that can define the word before it?
Which punctuation mark most often signals an appositive that can define the word before it?
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Comma (commas setting off an appositive). Appositives rename or explain the preceding word.
Comma (commas setting off an appositive). Appositives rename or explain the preceding word.
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What does using a word’s position or function in a sentence help you determine first?
What does using a word’s position or function in a sentence help you determine first?
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Its part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, or adverb). Word placement shows if it's a person/thing, action, or descriptor.
Its part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, or adverb). Word placement shows if it's a person/thing, action, or descriptor.
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Which context clue type uses the overall topic and tone of a paragraph to suggest meaning?
Which context clue type uses the overall topic and tone of a paragraph to suggest meaning?
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General (overall meaning) context clue. The paragraph's main idea and mood suggest the word's meaning.
General (overall meaning) context clue. The paragraph's main idea and mood suggest the word's meaning.
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Which context clue type helps by showing what caused something or what happened as a result?
Which context clue type helps by showing what caused something or what happened as a result?
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Cause-and-effect clue. The word's meaning is revealed through its relationship to causes or effects.
Cause-and-effect clue. The word's meaning is revealed through its relationship to causes or effects.
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Which context clue type helps by showing an opposite idea using signals like “but” or “however”?
Which context clue type helps by showing an opposite idea using signals like “but” or “however”?
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Contrast (antonym) clue. The word's opposite helps reveal its meaning through contrast.
Contrast (antonym) clue. The word's opposite helps reveal its meaning through contrast.
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Which context clue type shows what a word means by giving examples (often with “such as”)?
Which context clue type shows what a word means by giving examples (often with “such as”)?
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Example clue. Specific instances illustrate the word's meaning.
Example clue. Specific instances illustrate the word's meaning.
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Identify the meaning of “meticulous” in: “He was meticulous, checking every detail twice.”
Identify the meaning of “meticulous” in: “He was meticulous, checking every detail twice.”
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Very careful and precise. "Checking every detail" shows extreme carefulness.
Very careful and precise. "Checking every detail" shows extreme carefulness.
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What is the meaning of “context clue” when finding a word’s meaning in a text?
What is the meaning of “context clue” when finding a word’s meaning in a text?
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Information in nearby text that helps define an unknown word or phrase. Context clues are hints in surrounding text that reveal word meanings.
Information in nearby text that helps define an unknown word or phrase. Context clues are hints in surrounding text that reveal word meanings.
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Which context clue type uses words like “means” or “is” to define a term?
Which context clue type uses words like “means” or “is” to define a term?
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Definition (direct explanation) clue. Direct definitions explicitly state what a word means.
Definition (direct explanation) clue. Direct definitions explicitly state what a word means.
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What is the meaning of a context clue in a sentence or paragraph?
What is the meaning of a context clue in a sentence or paragraph?
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Information in nearby text that helps define an unknown word. Context clues are hints from surrounding words that reveal meaning.
Information in nearby text that helps define an unknown word. Context clues are hints from surrounding words that reveal meaning.
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Which context clue type uses a comparison, often signaled by “like” or “as”?
Which context clue type uses a comparison, often signaled by “like” or “as”?
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Comparison (similarity) clue. Shows similarity between the unknown word and something familiar.
Comparison (similarity) clue. Shows similarity between the unknown word and something familiar.
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Which context clue type uses contrast words such as “but,” “however,” or “instead”?
Which context clue type uses contrast words such as “but,” “however,” or “instead”?
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Contrast (opposite) clue. Shows the unknown word means the opposite of another word.
Contrast (opposite) clue. Shows the unknown word means the opposite of another word.
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Which context clue type explains meaning by giving examples, often after “such as”?
Which context clue type explains meaning by giving examples, often after “such as”?
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Example clue. Specific instances help clarify the general meaning.
Example clue. Specific instances help clarify the general meaning.
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Which context clue type explains meaning by showing results or outcomes of the word?
Which context clue type explains meaning by showing results or outcomes of the word?
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Cause-and-effect clue. The word's meaning is revealed through its effects.
Cause-and-effect clue. The word's meaning is revealed through its effects.
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