Context Clues Worksheet (Writing Part 1) - ELA-Literacy.RI.8.4

Let’s go through each sentence one by one and pick the best word from the box that fits.

We have these words to choose from:
- conscious
- fallacy
- chaotic
- elicit
- ambiguous
- cerebral
- distinction
- altercation
- accomplice

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1. The crowd was __________ when they jumped all together.

When people jump all together in a crowd, it’s usually wild, messy, or out of control → chaotic

✔ Answer: chaotic

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2. He was definitely a __________ basketball player because he used his knowledge of the game when he played.

“Used his knowledge” = smart, thinking hard → cerebral (means using your brain)

✔ Answer: cerebral

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3. A lot of students felt the test essay question was __________ because it did not directly state certain details of the reading.

If something doesn’t clearly say what it means → ambiguous (unclear, can be understood in more than one way)

✔ Answer: ambiguous

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4. Reporters often attempt to __________ a certain type of response from the person they are interviewing.

Reporters try to *get* or *draw out* a response → elicit (to bring out or draw forth)

✔ Answer: elicit

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5. It is a __________ that the earth is flat.

Saying the earth is flat is wrong — it’s a false belief → fallacy (a mistaken idea)

✔ Answer: fallacy

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6. You need to make a clear __________ between your first and second idea.

You need to show how two ideas are different → distinction (difference)

✔ Answer: distinction

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7. There was a large __________ between two teams in the middle of the field.

Two teams fighting or arguing on the field → altercation (a noisy argument or fight)

✔ Answer: altercation

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8. The suspect had an __________ when they committed the crime.

Someone who helps commit a crime → accomplice

✔ Answer: accomplice

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9. Susan made a __________ effort to be nice to her new friend.

She tried hard on purpose → conscious (done with awareness or intention)

✔ Answer: conscious

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Final Answer:

1. chaotic
2. cerebral
3. ambiguous
4. elicit
5. fallacy
6. distinction
7. altercation
8. accomplice
9. conscious