MAP 2nd Grade Reading › Use Context Clues to Determine Word Meanings: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.4.A
Use the sentences below to determine the meaning of the word "amusing".
The clown is very amusing. He had everyone laughing.
funny
happy
sad
tired
Amusing means to be funny. The clue in the context of the sentence is that everyone was laughing. We laugh at funny, or amusing, things.
Use the sentences below to determine the meaning of the word "avoids".
He doesn’t like to eat green beans. He avoids eating them.
to keep away from
to love
to enjoy eating
to be forced to do something
To avoid is to keep away from. The clue in the context of the sentence is that we are told he doesn’t like green beans. You would likely keep away from, or avoid, something you don’t like.
Use the sentences below to determine the meaning of the word "different".
Ben and Sara had the same teacher last year, but this year they did not. They have different teachers.
not the same
the same
to be kind
to be mean
Different means not the same. The clue in the context of our sentence is that we were told Ben and Sara had the same teacher last year, but this year they did not. If they didn’t have the same, that means they are different.
Use the sentences below to determine the meaning of the word "enormous".
The cake is so big, you might even call it enormous.
huge
small
tiny
tasty
Something that is enormous is very big or huge. The clue in the context of our sentence is that we are told the cake was so big.
Use the sentences below to determine the meaning of the word "helpful".
Megan was being very helpful. She helped her mom clean the house and cook dinner.
to help
to ignore
to be kind
to be giving
If you are helpful that means you help people. The clue in the context of our sentence is we are told Megan helped her mom. Because she helped her mom, she is helpful.
Use the sentences below to determine the meaning of the word "includes".
Kathy doesn’t like to leave people out when she plays. She includes everyone in the game.
to put in a group
to leave out
to have special plans
to expect something
To include means to put in a group. The clue in the context of our sentence is we are told Kathy doesn’t like to leave anyone out when she plays. Everyone was in the game.
Use the sentences below to determine the meaning of the word "necessary".
Eric doesn’t want to have to do homework. But, Eric wants to get a good grade in the class, and doing the homework is necessary to get a good grade.
to need
to avoid
to keep away from
to study hard
Necessary means to need to do something. The clue in the context of the sentence is that we are told he wants to get a good grade, and you have to do homework to get a good grade. Thus, he needs to do the homework.
Use the sentences below to determine the meaning of the word "peeking".
My mom said no peeking at the Christmas gifts under the tree. But I couldn’t help it, and I took a quick look.
to see quickly
to stare at for a long time
to unwrap
to play with
Peeking means to look at something quickly. The clue in the context of our sentence is that we are told: “I took a quick look”.
Use the sentences below to determine the meaning of the word "volunteered".
The teacher asked for help passing out the papers so Ben volunteered to help her pass them out.
to offer help
to not do any work
to join a team
to play
To volunteer means to offer to help. The clue in the context of the sentence is we are told the teacher asked for help and Ben helped.
Use the sentences below to determine the meaning of the word "vanished".
Sadie was pretty sure her toy vanished. All of a sudden, she couldn’t find it anywhere.
to disappear suddenly
to throw out
to forgive
to have
Vanished means to disappear suddenly. The clue in the context of the sentence is that all of a sudden Sadie couldn’t find her you. If you can’t find something that must mean it isn’t there, or it disappeared.