Determining the Meaning of Words and Expressions

ENGLISH 8

ITEM NO. OF
LEVEL OBJECTIVE PERCENTAGE
NUMBERS ITEMS

Define key
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
KNOWLEDGE vocabulary 8 items 26.67%
7, 8
words.

Give examples of
14, 15, 16, 17,
COMPREHENSIO the different
18, 19, 20, 21, 10 items 33.33%
N types of context
22, 23
clues.

Examine how
context clues 9, 10, 11, 12,
APPLICATION contribute to the 13, 24, 25, 26, 9 items 30%
understanding of 27
a text.

Construct a short
narrative with
unfamiliar words
SYNTHESIS/
and illustrate 28, 29, 30 3 items 10%
EVALUATION
their meanings
using context
clues.

TOTAL 30 items 100%

Name:__________________________
Grade Level: _____________________

Each given sentence contains a boldfaced word which is probably new to you. Guess the
meaning of these words. Encircle your answer.

1. Governments in some parts of the world set their focus on the doldrums of environmental
degradation, instead of the threats of the present pandemic.
A. delight B. despair C. joy D. trust

2. Our family always have a fleeting idea of going to Siargao Island, but we know it will take some
time given the present health crisis.
A. constant B. endless C. long D. sudden
3. An oracle is said to have the ability to foresee the future.
A. diviner B. fortune-teller C. priest D. scientist

4. People who are despicable should not be avoided, instead they should be loved.
A. good B. kind C. mean D. nice

5. I grew up learning to assert my rights and not to be cowed by other people’s intimidation.
A. comforted B. helped C. pleased D. scared

6. The Education Week Celebration was spearheaded by the English Language Department.
A. introduced B. led C. originated D. participated

7. It was a frigid night despite being in the summer season.

A. very cold B. very cozy C. very hot D. very warm

8. Serenity, a state of being calm, is one of the important traits that a person should possess
especially during difficult and stressful times.
A. anxiety B. confusion C. imagination D. tranquility

Read carefully the text. Determine the meaning of the underlined words based on context by
encircling your answer.

“At last came the awful day when the third and last effort to cast the great bell was to be
made; and Ko-Ngai, together with her waiting-woman, accompanied her father to the foundry, and
they took their places upon a platform overlooking the toiling of the molders and the lava of liquefied
metal…

But ere ever he lifted his finger, a cry caused him to turn his head and all heard the voice of
Ko-Ngai sounding sharply sweet as a bird’s song above the great thunder of the fires—“For thy
sake, O my father!” And even as she cried, she leaped into the white flood of metal…

Then the father of Ko-Ngai, wild with his grief, would have leaped in after her, but that strong
men held him back and kept firm grasp upon him until he had fainted away, and they could bear him
like one dead to his home…

But in spite of all these things, the command of the Celestial August had to be obeyed, and
the work of the molders to be finished, hopeless as the result might be. Yet the glow of the metal
seemed purer and whiter than before, and there was no sign of the beautiful body that had been
entombed therein. So the ponderous casting was made; and lo! When the metal had become cool,
it was found that the bell was beautiful to look upon and perfect in form, and wonderful in color
above all other bells. Nor was there any trace found of the body of Ko-Ngai; for it had been totally
absorbed by the precious alloy, and blended with the well-blended brass and gold, with the
intermingling of the silver and the iron…”
-An Excerpt from story, “The Soul of the Great Bell”

9. It was an awful day – horrible and dreadful for the third time, the casting of the great bell was
unsuccessful.
A. fearful B. foul C. happy D. nasty

10. Kouan Yu might think that the result of the making of the great bell for the third and last time
was much more likely an egregious failure because of what happened to his daughter.
A. glaring B. grievous C. scandalous D. shameful
 11. His animosity or ill-feeling because of what happened to his daughter was so great.
A. anger B. bitterness C. hate D. malice

12. Wild with his grief, he felt deep remorse and would have leaped in after his daughter, but strong
men held him back.
A. guilt B. regret C. shame D. sorrow

13. How the blending with the well-blended brass and gold, with the intermingling of the silver and
the iron after Ko-Ngai leaped, was a conundrum, a puzzle that's difficult to solve.
A. mystery B. problem C. query D. question

14-23 In the graphic organizer, give the five (5) types of context clues and use them in a
sentence. (2 points in each box)

Type:________________
Sentence:____________
______

Type:________________ CONTEXT Type:________________

Sentence:____________ Sentence:____________
______ CLUES ______

Type:________________ Type:________________
Sentence:____________ Sentence:____________
IV- Read the passage carefully. Determine the meaning of the boldfaced words based on the
______
context clues and answer the following questions. ______

In the quaint village of Eldergrove, nestled between rolling hills and dense forests, a peculiar
phenomenon occurred every autumn. As the days grew shorter and a crispness settled in the air,
the locals prepared for a celebration that had become a cherished tradition: the annual Harvest
Festival. The townsfolk, enamored with the vibrant hues of the foliage—fiery reds, brilliant oranges,
and sunny yellows—would gather in the town square, their laughter and chatter mingling with the
rustling leaves.

This year's event was particularly resplendent; the decorations were more elaborate than
ever, with garlands of colorful leaves draping over stalls and lanterns glowing softly as dusk
approached. The air was imbued with the enticing scent of cinnamon and nutmeg, wafting from the
bustling market stalls where vendors sold homemade pies, warm cider, and spiced treats. Children
darted between the booths, their cheeks flushed with excitement, while musicians played lively
tunes that invited everyone to dance.

However, amidst the revelry, a sense of trepidation lurked in the hearts of some villagers.
Whispers of an enigmatic figure began to circulate, a mysterious presence said to appear at twilight.
Legends spoke of this figure dancing gracefully among the shadows, captivating onlookers with an
ethereal performance that seemed to transcend the very fabric of reality. Some claimed the figure
was a benevolent spirit, blessing the harvest, while others believed it to be a harbinger of change,
stirring up old fears and uncertainties.

As the sun dipped below the horizon and the first stars twinkled in the dusky sky, the
villagers felt a mix of anticipation and apprehension. They gathered closer together, their eyes
scanning the darkening edges of the festival grounds, half-expecting to catch a glimpse of the
elusive dancer. The atmosphere was electric, charged with both the jubilant spirit of celebration and
the haunting allure of the unknown, making the night one that would be remembered for years to
come.

24. What does the word "quaint" suggest about the village of Eldergrove?
A. It is very large and modern.
B. It has an old-fashioned charm.
C. It is known for its advanced technology.
D. It is a bustling city.

25. In the passage, the term "resplendent" describes how the Harvest Festival appeared. What does
"resplendent" most likely mean?
A. Dull and uninteresting
B. Bright and attractive
C. Simple and plain
D. Chaotic and disorganized

26. When the passage says the air was "imbued" with the scent of cinnamon and nutmeg, what
does "imbued" suggest about the scent?
A. It was completely absent.
B. It was faint and barely noticeable.
C. It was deeply infused and present throughout the area.
D. It was only present in one small area.

27. The word "trepidation" is used to describe the feelings of some villagers. What does "trepidation"
imply about their emotions?
A) They felt completely relaxed and carefree.
B) They were curious and excited.
C) They experienced fear or anxiety.
D) They were indifferent and uninterested.

28-30 Select one from the topics below. Construct a short but concise narrative with
unfamiliar words and illustrate their meanings by incorporating the different types of context
clues.
A. My Most Unforgettable Moment
B. My Personality
C. My Dream Profession
Context clues are words that appear in sentences to help understand the meanings of difficult
words.

Context clues are of different types:

1. by Definition - the unfamiliar word is defined in a sentence

Example:
An Archeologist is a person who searches for treasures from sunken ships and ancient tombs to
obtain valuable relics, artifacts, and relics such as the Balanghai boat. (definition: a person who
searches for treasures, artifacts, and relics)
2. by Synonym - a similar word is placed in the same sentence to know the meaning of the
unfamiliar word

Example:
It is common for Filipinos to feel compassion or pity for the suffering of their fellowmen. (synonym:
pity)

3. by Antonym - an opposite word is placed in the same sentence

Example:
Among the siblings of thin body structure, Isabel is the only one who is portly. (antonym: thin)

4. by Comparison - a similar word with the same meaning of the unfamiliar word is placed with an
object to be compared

Example:
The stench of the garbage was like the smell of a rotten fish. (comparison: rotten fish, means bad
odor)

5. by Example - samples are provided in the sentence to understand the meaning of the unfamiliar
word

Example:
In ancient times, some of our forefathers believed in amulets, such as pearl of the crocodile, pearl of
the ax, bullet necklace, and bag of herbs to protect them from harm. (example: pearl of the
crocodile, pearl of the ax, bullet necklace, bag of herbs)

6. by Explanation - a description is given to understand the meaning of the unfamiliar word

Example:
Matthew had few infractions of the house rules that he should have done as part of his
responsibilities. (explanation: house rules that he should have done)

7. by Cause-Effect - the meaning of the difficult word depends on the cause-effect relationship of
other words as expressed in the sentence

Example:
Since only a few followed the wearing of face mask, it was made mandatory by the government.
(cause: only a few followed the wearing of face mask)

8. by List or Series of clues - to understand the meaning of the unknown word, it is included in a
series of words given in a sentence

Example: After the program, the rubbish left such as souvenir programs, flyers, leaflets plastic
bottles, and food wrappings were cleaned by the janitor. (list: souvenir programs, flyers, leaflets,
plastic bottles, food wrappings)

9. by Inference - to understand the meaning of the unknown word, one has to make a guess based
on the description given in the sentence

Example: When one shows hospitality, kind words and welcoming actions can be observed among
Filipinos. (description: kind words, welcoming actions)