Context Clues worksheet for students to practice finding word meanings using context.

Sure! Let’s solve the “Context Clues: Finding Word Meanings” worksheet step by step. The goal is to use context clues — hints from the surrounding words or sentences — to figure out the meaning of the underlined word, then circle the answer choice that has the same meaning.

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1. The student replied to the teacher with a witty answer and the class laughed.

- Underlined word: witty
- Choices: funny, mean, clever
- Clue: The class laughed → suggests humor. “Witty” often means cleverly humorous.
- Best match: ✔ clever (because witty implies intelligence + humor; “funny” is close but less precise — not all funny things are witty)
> *Note: Some might argue “funny,” but in academic context, “clever” is more accurate for “witty.”*

✔ Answer: clever

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2. I looked at my brother with a glaze after he broke my toy.

- Underlined word: glaze
- Choices: confusing, dirty look, difficult
- Clue: He broke my toy → likely upset → “glaze” here probably means a blank stare or angry look. In this context, “glaze” is used metaphorically for a cold, unfriendly expression.
- Best match: ✔ dirty look

✔ Answer: dirty look

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3. Fireworks on the 4th of July give off a beautiful glitter in the sky.

- Underlined word: glitter
- Choices: glow, bright, look
- Clue: Fireworks “give off” something beautiful → visual sparkle or shine.
- Best match: ✔ glow (most similar — both describe light radiating softly or sparkling)

✔ Answer: glow

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4. When we are camping, my father will ignite the fire so we can roast marshmallows.

- Underlined word: ignite
- Choices: start, call, see
- Clue: Ignite the fire → means to set it on fire → to begin burning.
- Best match: ✔ start

✔ Answer: start

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5. He chose to delete the unhealthy foods from his meal and make better choices.

- Underlined word: delete
- Choices: include, eat more, remove
- Clue: Delete = get rid of → removing unhealthy foods.
- Best match: ✔ remove

✔ Answer: remove

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6. My grandpa will doze during television shows when he watches them if he is tired.

- Underlined word: doze
- Choices: cheer, nap, discuss
- Clue: Doze = fall asleep briefly → especially when tired.
- Best match: ✔ nap

✔ Answer: nap

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7. The curious puppy emptied the bag while he rifled around looking for something to chew.

- Underlined word: rifled
- Choices: problem, interested, happy
- Clue: “Rifled around” = searched quickly or messily → implies curiosity and active searching.
- Best match: ✔ interested (because the puppy is actively exploring due to curiosity)

✔ Answer: interested

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8. Each day during the spring there is a slight increase in temperature until summer arrives.

- Underlined word: increase
- Choices: small, increase, bright
- Clue: This one is self-referential — “increase” is already an option.
- Best match: ✔ increase (obviously — it’s the same word!)

✔ Answer: increase

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9. The tower will topple if it has too much weight at the top.

- Underlined word: topple
- Choices: pounds, grow, fall over
- Clue: Too much weight at the top → structure becomes unstable → falls.
- Best match: ✔ fall over

✔ Answer: fall over

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10. The students who put in the best effort will be included in the celebration.

- Underlined word: effort
- Choices: attitude, hard work, competition
- Clue: “Put in the best effort” = worked hardest.
- Best match: ✔ hard work

✔ Answer: hard work

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## ✔ Final Answers:

1. clever
2. dirty look
3. glow
4. start
5. remove
6. nap
7. interested
8. increase
9. fall over
10. hard work

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## 💡 Teaching Tip:
This worksheet teaches students to infer meaning from context, which is a critical reading skill. Encourage them to ask:
- What is happening in the sentence?
- What would make sense here?
- Which answer fits the action or feeling described?

Let me know if you’d like a printable version or explanation for younger learners!