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ISEE LOWER LEVEL • READING COMPREHENSION

Use context clues to choose the best definition.

Discover how the words around a tricky word help you figure out what it means!

SECTION 1

Why Do We Need Context Clues?

Have you ever been reading a book and found a word you didn't know? You're not alone! Readers have been figuring out tricky words for hundreds of years. The secret? They use context clues — the words and sentences around a mystery word that help you understand what it means.

On the ISEE test, you will see questions that ask you what a word means as it is used in the passage. This is important! The test isn't asking for the dictionary definition. It's asking what the word means right there in that sentence.

Step 1
You See a Tricky Word
You're reading a passage and you hit a word you're not sure about. Don't panic!
Step 2
You Look Around It
You read the sentence before, the sentence with the word, and the sentence after.
Step 3
You Find Helpful Hints
Other words in the passage give you clues about what the mystery word means.
Step 4
You Pick the Best Answer
You plug your answer back into the sentence to make sure it makes sense. You've got this!

Here's the big question this lesson will answer: How do you find and use those helpful clues hiding in the passage? Let's find out together!

SECTION 2

The Four Types of Context Clues

There are four main types of context clues that authors use. Think of them as four different kinds of hints. Once you know what to look for, finding the meaning of a word gets much easier!

1

Definition Clue

The author tells you what the word means right in the sentence. Look for words like "which means" or "is called."
2

Synonym Clue

The author uses another word nearby that means the same thing. Look for words like "or" and "also known as."
3

Antonym Clue

The author uses an opposite word nearby. Look for signal words like "but," "however," or "unlike."
4

Example Clue

The author gives examples that help explain the word. Look for phrases like "such as," "for example," or "including."
✦ KEY TAKEAWAY
Think of context clues like being a detective. 🔍 If someone left muddy footprints, a wet umbrella, and a raincoat by the door, you'd guess it was raining outside — even if nobody told you! Context clues work the same way. The words around a tricky word are like those muddy footprints. They help you figure out the answer!
SECTION 3

See How Context Clues Work

Let's look at a picture that shows exactly how context clues help you. In the diagram below, the mystery word is in the center. The clues around it point you toward the right meaning!

The mystery word "famished" is surrounded by clues. The sentence before says she hadn't eaten. The same sentence mentions "craving food." The sentence after says she rushed to the kitchen. All clues point to very hungry!

See how all the clues point toward the same idea? That's how context clues work. You gather hints from the sentences nearby, and they lead you to the best answer. You don't need a dictionary — the passage tells you!

SECTION 4

The Three-Step Strategy for ISEE Questions

When the ISEE asks a vocabulary-in-context question, it usually looks like this: "In line 5, the word 'bright' most likely means…" Here is your three-step plan for answering every single one of these questions.

1

Read Around the Word

Go back to the passage. Read the sentence with the word AND the sentences before and after it. This gives you all the clues you need.
2

Plug In Your Own Word

Cover the tricky word with your finger. Think of a simple word that would make sense in its place. This is your guess!
3

Match and Check

Look at the four answer choices. Which one is closest to your guess? Pick it, then re-read the sentence with your choice to make sure it sounds right.
💡 ISEE Test Tip!
Many words have more than one meaning. The word "bright" can mean full of light OR smart. The word "run" can mean to jog OR to be in charge of something (like "run a business"). Always check which meaning fits the way the word is used in the passage!

Remember: the ISEE is not trying to trick you! The answer is always hiding in the passage. Your job is to be a word detective and find the clues.

SECTION 5

Spotting Each Type of Context Clue

Now let's look more closely at each type of context clue. The diagram below shows you the signal words that tell you which type of clue you're looking at.

Each type of context clue has its own signal words. When you spot these signals, you know exactly what kind of clue you found!
Four types of context clues with signal words and examples
Clue TypeWhat to Look ForExample
DefinitionThe meaning is given right in the sentence"A peninsula, which is land surrounded by water on three sides…"
SynonymA word with the same meaning appears nearby"He was elated, or overjoyed, at the news."
AntonymA word with the opposite meaning appears nearby"Instead of being calm, she was frantic."
ExampleExamples help explain the word"She played percussion, such as drums, cymbals, and tambourines."
SECTION 6

Worked Example: Solving a Context Clue Question

Let's practice the three-step strategy together! Here's a short passage and a question, just like you'd see on the ISEE.

📖 Sample Passage
The old castle had been abandoned for years. Vines crept up the crumbling walls, and dust covered every surface. It looked completely desolate. No one had visited in a very long time.

Question: In the passage, the word "desolate" most likely means — (A) beautiful (B) empty and lonely (C) crowded (D) colorful

Solving Step by Step
1
Step 1 — Read Around the WordLet's read the sentence with "desolate" and the sentences around it. We see: "abandoned for years," "crumbling walls," "dust covered every surface," and "no one had visited." These are all our context clues!
2
Step 2 — Plug In Your Own WordCover the word "desolate" and think: what word would fit? The castle is old, dusty, empty, and nobody visits. A good guess might be "empty" or "lonely" or "deserted."
Our guess: empty and lonely
3
Step 3 — Match and CheckLet's check the choices. (A) beautiful — no, crumbling walls aren't beautiful. (C) crowded — no, the passage says no one visited. (D) colorful — no, dust and crumbling don't suggest color. (B) empty and lonely — yes! This matches our clues perfectly.
The answer is (B) empty and lonely ✓
🌟 GREAT JOB!
Notice how we didn't need to know the word "desolate" already. The passage gave us everything we needed. Always trust the clues in the passage!
SECTION 7

Common Traps and How to Avoid Them

Even great readers sometimes pick the wrong answer. Here are the most common mistakes on vocabulary-in-context questions, and how you can avoid them.

Common traps on ISEE vocabulary-in-context questions
Common TrapWhy It's WrongWhat to Do Instead
Picking the most common meaningThe question asks what the word means IN THE PASSAGE, not in generalAlways go back and re-read the sentence in the passage
Not reading enough around the wordOne sentence might not have enough cluesRead the sentence before AND the sentence after too
Picking a word that sounds similarWords that sound alike don't always mean the same thingFocus on meaning, not on how a word sounds
Not plugging your answer back inYou might think an answer is right but it doesn't actually fitReplace the word with your answer choice and re-read the sentence
🛡️ REMEMBER THIS!
Think of it like trying on shoes. You wouldn't just grab a pair that looks nice — you'd try them on to see if they fit! Always "try on" your answer by putting it back into the sentence. If it fits, great! If not, try another one.
SECTION 8

Context Clues and Other Reading Skills

Using context clues isn't just for vocabulary questions. It connects to other important ISEE reading skills. When you get good at reading carefully for clues, you also get better at making inferences and finding the main idea!

How context clue skills connect to inference skills
Context Clues (This Lesson)Inference Questions (Related Skill)
You figure out what a WORD meansYou figure out what the AUTHOR means
You look at the words around itYou look at clues throughout the passage
You use clues to pick the best definitionYou use clues to pick the best conclusion
You plug your answer back into the sentenceYou check that your answer is supported by the passage

As you keep practicing, you'll notice that reading carefully becomes a habit. Every time you read — books, articles, even texts from friends — you're building your context clue muscles. The more you practice, the faster you'll be on test day!

SECTION 9

Practice Problems

Time to put your detective skills to work! Read each short passage carefully and use context clues to choose the best definition. Remember your three steps: read around the word, plug in your own word, then match and check!

1
Read this sentence: "The puppy was so tiny that it could fit inside a shoebox." In this sentence, what does the word "tiny" most likely mean? (A) loud (B) very small (C) very fast (D) fluffy
2
Read this passage: "After hiking for five hours, Marcus was exhausted. His legs ached, and he could barely keep his eyes open. All he wanted to do was sleep." In this passage, the word "exhausted" most likely means — (A) excited (B) confused (C) extremely tired (D) angry
3
Read this passage: "The teacher asked the students to collaborate on the science project. She put them into groups of four and told them to share their ideas and work together." In this passage, the word "collaborate" most likely means — (A) argue (B) work alone (C) work together as a team (D) take a break
4
Read this passage: "Unlike the plain, simple cakes at the bakery down the street, the ones at Grandma Rosa's shop were truly elaborate. They had layers of frosting, swirls of color, and tiny sugar flowers on top." In this passage, the word "elaborate" most likely means — (A) burnt (B) simple and boring (C) very detailed and fancy (D) inexpensive
5
Read this passage: "When Tanya first moved to the neighborhood, she felt like an outsider. But over time, her classmates welcomed her into their group. She began to feel like she belonged. She no longer sat alone at lunch, and she always had someone to talk to on the playground." In this passage, the word "belonged" most likely means — (A) was lost (B) was bored (C) felt accepted and included (D) felt afraid
SUMMARY

Let's Review!

You learned that context clues are the words and sentences around a tricky word that help you figure out its meaning. There are four main types: definition clues (the meaning is told to you), synonym clues (a same-meaning word appears nearby), antonym clues (an opposite word appears with signal words like "but" or "unlike"), and example clues (examples help explain the word).

On the ISEE, always use the three-step strategy: (1) read around the word, (2) plug in your own word, and (3) match your guess to the answer choices and check by re-reading the sentence. Remember that the ISEE asks what a word means as it is used in the passage — so always go back to the passage! You've got this! 🌟

Varsity Tutors • ISEE Lower Level • Use context clues to choose the best definition.