Use Context Clues for Word Meanings - 7th Grade Writing
Card 1 of 25
Which context clue type gives a definition directly in the sentence?
Which context clue type gives a definition directly in the sentence?
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Definition (restatement) clue. The word's meaning is directly stated or restated in the sentence.
Definition (restatement) clue. The word's meaning is directly stated or restated in the sentence.
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Identify the best meaning of "resolve": "After talking, they resolved the conflict and shook hands."
Identify the best meaning of "resolve": "After talking, they resolved the conflict and shook hands."
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To solve; settle. "Shook hands" indicates conflict was settled.
To solve; settle. "Shook hands" indicates conflict was settled.
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Identify the best meaning of "commotion": "The sudden commotion in the hall drew the teacher’s attention."
Identify the best meaning of "commotion": "The sudden commotion in the hall drew the teacher’s attention."
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Noisy confusion; disturbance. "Drew attention" suggests loud disruption.
Noisy confusion; disturbance. "Drew attention" suggests loud disruption.
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Which context clue type shows meaning through similarity or a synonym nearby?
Which context clue type shows meaning through similarity or a synonym nearby?
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Synonym clue. Similar words or phrases clarify meaning through comparison.
Synonym clue. Similar words or phrases clarify meaning through comparison.
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Which context clue type explains meaning by showing causes and effects in the sentence?
Which context clue type explains meaning by showing causes and effects in the sentence?
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Cause-and-effect clue. The relationship between actions and results reveals meaning.
Cause-and-effect clue. The relationship between actions and results reveals meaning.
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Identify the meaning of "vivid" in: "Her vivid description made the scene easy to imagine."
Identify the meaning of "vivid" in: "Her vivid description made the scene easy to imagine."
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Clear and detailed; producing strong images. "Easy to imagine" results from clear, detailed descriptions.
Clear and detailed; producing strong images. "Easy to imagine" results from clear, detailed descriptions.
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Which context clue type uses a definition given directly in the sentence?
Which context clue type uses a definition given directly in the sentence?
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Definition (restatement) clue. The unknown word's meaning is directly stated or restated.
Definition (restatement) clue. The unknown word's meaning is directly stated or restated.
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Identify the meaning of "reluctant" in: "Reluctant to speak, she stayed silent during the debate."
Identify the meaning of "reluctant" in: "Reluctant to speak, she stayed silent during the debate."
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Unwilling; hesitant. "Stayed silent" shows hesitation to participate.
Unwilling; hesitant. "Stayed silent" shows hesitation to participate.
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Which context clue type uses a list of examples to clarify a word?
Which context clue type uses a list of examples to clarify a word?
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Example (illustration) clue. Specific instances help illustrate the word's general meaning.
Example (illustration) clue. Specific instances help illustrate the word's general meaning.
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Identify the meaning of "tacit" in: "He gave tacit approval; he never said yes, but he nodded."
Identify the meaning of "tacit" in: "He gave tacit approval; he never said yes, but he nodded."
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Unspoken; implied. "Never said yes" contrasts with "nodded," showing unspoken agreement.
Unspoken; implied. "Never said yes" contrasts with "nodded," showing unspoken agreement.
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Which punctuation often introduces a definition or explanation after a word?
Which punctuation often introduces a definition or explanation after a word?
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A dash or a colon. These marks signal that a definition or clarification follows.
A dash or a colon. These marks signal that a definition or clarification follows.
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Which punctuation most often signals an appositive definition clue for a word?
Which punctuation most often signals an appositive definition clue for a word?
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Commas (an appositive phrase). Appositives rename or explain the word between commas.
Commas (an appositive phrase). Appositives rename or explain the word between commas.
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What should you do first when using context to figure out an unknown word?
What should you do first when using context to figure out an unknown word?
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Reread the sentence and identify clues in nearby words. Examining surrounding words reveals relationships and meanings.
Reread the sentence and identify clues in nearby words. Examining surrounding words reveals relationships and meanings.
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Which context clue type requires a logical guess based on the overall situation?
Which context clue type requires a logical guess based on the overall situation?
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Inference (general) clue. Readers deduce meaning from the overall context and logic.
Inference (general) clue. Readers deduce meaning from the overall context and logic.
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Which context clue type relies on cause-and-effect relationships in the sentence?
Which context clue type relies on cause-and-effect relationships in the sentence?
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Cause-and-effect clue. The word's meaning emerges from what causes or results from it.
Cause-and-effect clue. The word's meaning emerges from what causes or results from it.
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Identify the meaning of "diminish" in: "If you skip practice, your skills will diminish over time."
Identify the meaning of "diminish" in: "If you skip practice, your skills will diminish over time."
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Decrease; become smaller or weaker. "Skip practice" causes skills to weaken over time.
Decrease; become smaller or weaker. "Skip practice" causes skills to weaken over time.
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Which context clue type uses an opposite meaning to reveal a word’s meaning?
Which context clue type uses an opposite meaning to reveal a word’s meaning?
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Antonym (contrast) clue. Contrasting words show what the unknown word doesn't mean.
Antonym (contrast) clue. Contrasting words show what the unknown word doesn't mean.
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What is a context clue in reading?
What is a context clue in reading?
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A hint in surrounding text that helps define an unknown word. Context provides meaning through surrounding words and sentences.
A hint in surrounding text that helps define an unknown word. Context provides meaning through surrounding words and sentences.
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Identify the meaning of "elated" in: "He was elated after winning, smiling all day."
Identify the meaning of "elated" in: "He was elated after winning, smiling all day."
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Extremely happy. "Smiling all day" shows the result of extreme happiness.
Extremely happy. "Smiling all day" shows the result of extreme happiness.
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Identify the meaning of "meager" in: "We had a meager lunch, just a few crackers and water."
Identify the meaning of "meager" in: "We had a meager lunch, just a few crackers and water."
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Small in amount; insufficient. "Just a few crackers" exemplifies a small, inadequate amount.
Small in amount; insufficient. "Just a few crackers" exemplifies a small, inadequate amount.
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Identify the meaning of "cautious" in: "Cautious drivers slow down in heavy rain."
Identify the meaning of "cautious" in: "Cautious drivers slow down in heavy rain."
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Careful to avoid danger or mistakes. "Slow down in heavy rain" shows careful behavior.
Careful to avoid danger or mistakes. "Slow down in heavy rain" shows careful behavior.
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Identify the meaning of "obsolete" in: "Floppy disks are obsolete now; people use cloud storage."
Identify the meaning of "obsolete" in: "Floppy disks are obsolete now; people use cloud storage."
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Out of date; no longer used. "Now people use cloud storage" contrasts with outdated technology.
Out of date; no longer used. "Now people use cloud storage" contrasts with outdated technology.
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Which context clue type uses synonyms to suggest a word’s meaning?
Which context clue type uses synonyms to suggest a word’s meaning?
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Synonym clue. Similar words nearby help reveal the unknown word's meaning.
Synonym clue. Similar words nearby help reveal the unknown word's meaning.
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Identify the meaning of "consequence" in: "If you cheat, the consequence may be a suspension."
Identify the meaning of "consequence" in: "If you cheat, the consequence may be a suspension."
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A result or effect (often negative). "Suspension" exemplifies a negative result of cheating.
A result or effect (often negative). "Suspension" exemplifies a negative result of cheating.
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Identify the best meaning of "meticulous": "He was meticulous, checking every answer twice for errors."
Identify the best meaning of "meticulous": "He was meticulous, checking every answer twice for errors."
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Very careful and precise. "Checking twice for errors" shows extreme care.
Very careful and precise. "Checking twice for errors" shows extreme care.
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