Context Clues: Example Sentences

1. Projectiles include those items that are shot forward such as a cannon shell, bullet, or
rocket.

Using the example clue, the word projectiles in this sentence means
things put down things hurt
things shot forward things broken
2. The professor was a favorite among the students at the college. His sagacity was
helpful to them as they pursued their degrees. The professor was known to use his
experience, insight, and common sense to help students pursue their education.

Using the example clue, the word sagacity in this sentence means
silliness wisdom
thoughtlessness negligence
3. Famous conquistadors include Cortes, who conquered Aztec Mexico and Pizarro,
who conquered Inca Peru.

Using the example clue, the word conquistadors in this sentence means
geographers victims
losers conquerors
4. A sleuth, such as Sherlock Holmes, can be very helpful in solving crimes.

Using the example clue, the word sleuth in this sentence means
senior citizen pilot
man detective
5. Zack was a good at many sports. He excelled in swimming, running, horsemanship,
fencing, and target shooting. He decided to compete in the pentathlon rather than
having to choose one of the events.

Using the example clue, the word pentathlon in this sentence means
competition with two events competition with ten events
competition with eight events competition with five events
 Context Clues: Explanations
1. Katie appeared infallible in math class because she had never gotten a problem
wrong.

Using the explanation clue, the word infallible in this sentence means
never wrong wrong
mistaken incorrect
2. The tornado annihilated the whole town to the point that nothing was left standing.

Using the explanation clue, the word annihilated in this sentence means
destroyed created
saved constructed
3. We could tell by the rotten smell, that something putrid was in our trash can.

Using the explanation clue, the word putrid in this sentence means
ample rotten
alive appealing
4. Phyllis felt elated when she won the race.

Using the explanation clue, the word elated in this sentence means
sick tired
miserable happy
5. The insidious burglar was able to sneak into the house without being heard or seen.

Using the explanation clue, the word insidious in this sentence means
strong clumsy
loud sneaky
6. The voters were so upset about the outcome of the election that a skirmish broke out
and the police had to break it up.

Using the explanation clue, the word skirmish in this sentence means
fight hurricane
sunshine creature
 Context Clues: Synonyms
1. The book of logic contained many conundrums - mind-exercising puzzles.

Using the synonym clue, the word conundrums in this sentence means
pictures answers
stories puzzles
2. Jackie was filled with mortification, or shame, because of her careless remark.

Using the synonym clue, the word mortification in this sentence means
proud confident
shame happy
3. His rancor, or hatred, of his brother has caused him to live his life as a lonely person.

Using the synonym clue, the word rancor in this sentence means
love tolerance
generous hatred
4. The events for the conference were listed in chronological order. They began with the
first event of the day and ended with the closing ceremonies in the evening.

Using the synonym clue, the word chronological in this sentence means
out of order messed up
broken in order
5. There was crazy pandemonium as people were trying to leave the rock concert.

Using the synonym clue, the word pandemonium in this sentence means
silence order
craziness or chaos peace
6. The man was sent to the penitentiary, or prison, for stealing cars.

Using the synonym clue, the word penitentiary in this sentence means
paradise prison
hotel heaven
 Context Clues: Antonyms
1. Although Tom was anxious about the test, Tina was not worried at all.

Using the antonym clue, the word anxious in this sentence means
forgetful calm
worried not worried
2. Two new girls started school this week. Beth has a gregarious personality. Jenna is
rather quiet.

Using the antonym clue, the word gregarious in this sentence means
shy timid
bashful outgoing
3. If you don't conquer your fears, they will beat you.

Using the antonym clue, the word conquer in this sentence means
lose talk about
win forget
4. While Lily was careful not to be seen as she peeked out the window, Phil was not as
cautious and was seen!

Using the antonym clue, the word cautious in this sentence means
careful risky
not careful trouble
5. Although the princess is familiar to those in London, she is unknown to the rest of the
world.

Using the antonym clue, the word familiar in this sentence means
pretty old
smart well-known
6. Although Mary was willing to play in the snow, Jack was reluctant because he was so
cold.

Using the antonym clue, the word reluctant in this sentence means
ready not willing
willing excited
 Context Clues
1. The diamond ring was radiantly shining on her finger.

Using the synonym clue, the word radiantly in this sentence means
brightly hardly
really barely
2. We shopped at the emporium, which is as large as the shopping center, for shampoo
and bath soap.

Using the comparison clue, the word emporium in this sentence means
amusement park large store
bathroom library
3. The saturated, dripping dog ran in the house after swimming in the lake.

Using the synonym clue, the word saturated in this sentence means
wet dirty
old smelly
4. In the pirate story, there were the good guys against the buccaneers.

Using the contrast clue, the word buccaneers in this sentence means
actors teachers
pirates helpers
5. An evanescent ring surrounded the moon as it rose. It was there for a moment, and
then it disappeared.

Using the explanation clue, the word evanescent in this sentence means
full brief
ongoing bright
6. The sun made the lake water shimmer.

Using the explanation clue, the word shimmer in this sentence means
dirty dark
dull sparkle or shine
 Context Clues
1. My younger sister can be an irritating nuisance when I am doing my homework.

In this sentence, the word nuisance means

help pleasure
annoyance delight
2. Melissa sauntered over to our table while Cheryl hurried over.

In this sentence, the word sauntered means

walked in a slow, easy way beat rapidly
hurried ran
3. We should be careful not to ostracize those who are different from us. It is much
better for all if we are welcoming to everyone.

In this sentence, the word ostracize means

embrace welcome
exclude include
4. The artist was very careful and exact as he meticulously painted the portrait.

In this sentence, the word meticulously means

hurriedly careless
precise or detailed sloppy
5. The insidious burglar was able to sneak into the house without being heard or seen.

In this sentence, the word insidious means

sneaky clumsy
strong loud
6. The twins were both crying at the same time so Mom tried to soothe one while Dad
tried to mollify the other.

In this sentence, the word mollify means

soothe worry
make sad upset
7. The sight of the ominous clouds told us that clear weather was far from our area.

In this sentence, the word ominous means

stormy or dark fluffy
clear bright
 Context Clues: Comparison Clues
1. The girls languidly put on their jackets as if they had no energy at all.

Using the comparison clue, the word languidly in this sentence means
energetically energy-less
quickly actively
2. The mother was determined to prove her son's innocence; the father was resolute as
well.

Using the comparison clue, the word resolute in this sentence means
wavering not determined
determined unsure
3. Some people feel perplexed by brain teasers, while others figure them out quickly.

Using the comparison clue, the word perplexed in this sentence means
troubled or confused calm
at ease relaxed
4. After being unable to get a good night's sleep for many days, Allyson became
lethargic. She didn't have the energy to get out of bed.

Using the comparison clue, the word lethargic in this sentence means
active exhausted
bubbly lively
5. Instead of climbing into bed, she decided to take a nap on the chaise.

Using the comparison clue, the word chaise in this sentence means
sleeping bag chair
bed-like furniture floor
6. The unsubstantial story was as if she were retelling a dream.

Using the comparison clue, the word unsubstantial in this sentence means
realistic unreal
true
 Context Clues: Contrast Clues
1. Johnny was besotted in not checking the depth of the water before he jumped in, but
it was a good thing that his father was wise and checked it first.

Using the contrast clue, the word besotted in this sentence means
decent foolish
unaware incomplete
2. Brad made a cursory effort to finish his homework. This was unlike him; usually he
worked hard to finish before dinner.

Using the contrast clue, the word cursory in this sentence means
insincere valid
genuine actual
3. I thought the painting of the waves crashing into the shore was very picturesque, but I
thought the one next to it was quite ugly.

Using the contrast clue, the word picturesque in this sentence means
attractive colorful
large soothing
4. The omnipotent superhero always won his battles, unlike his weak opponents.

Using the contrast clue, the word omnipotent in this sentence means
almighty or all powerful powerless
weak
5. After being ill and unable to eat for three days, Beverly had a voracious appetite.

Using the contrast clue, the word voracious in this sentence means
satisfied small
quenched big
6. We were all pretty apathetic in the movie about animals, but we became interested
when it started showing all the tricks dogs could do.

Using the contrast clue, the word apathetic in this sentence means
gracious uninterested
angry sleepy