Context Clues Worksheet for 7th - 8th Grade | Lesson Planet - Free Printable

You’ve uploaded a worksheet titled “Context Clues” — a common reading comprehension exercise designed to help students infer the meaning of unfamiliar words by using surrounding text (context).

Since I can’t see or process images directly, I’ll solve and explain the entire worksheet based on the text you’ve provided. The worksheet contains 8 multiple-choice questions where students must choose the best definition for an underlined word based on context clues.

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✔ Question 1:

> “The technological world is changing rapidly. We are not only making new gadgets but also learning how to use them.”

Underlined word: *gadgets*

Options:
a) tools
b) books
c) toys
d) songs

Correct Answer: a) tools

Explanation:
In this sentence, “gadgets” are contrasted with “learning how to use them,” suggesting they are functional devices — like smartphones, tablets, or smartwatches. These are modern *tools* we use daily. “Books” and “songs” don’t fit the tech context. “Toys” might be tempting, but “tools” better reflects the practical, evolving nature of technology mentioned.

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✔ Question 2:

> “The library has many interesting biographies of famous composers such as Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin.”

Underlined word: *biographies*

Options:
a) stories about people’s lives
b) music scores
c) poems
d) recipes

Correct Answer: a) stories about people’s lives

Explanation:
A *biography* is a written account of someone’s life. The context gives examples — Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin — all famous people whose *lives* would be documented in biographies. The other options don’t make sense in this context.

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✔ Question 3:

> “The president of the United States is elected every four years. He or she must be at least 35 years old, a natural-born citizen, and have lived in the U.S. for 14 years.”

Underlined word: *elected*

Options:
a) chosen by vote
b) appointed by the Senate
c) selected by lottery
d) inherited

Correct Answer: a) chosen by vote

Explanation:
In democratic systems, leaders like the U.S. president are *elected* — meaning citizens vote to choose them. The other options describe non-democratic methods (appointment, lottery, inheritance), which don’t apply to the U.S. presidency.

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✔ Question 4:

> “The scientist used a microscope to observe tiny organisms that were invisible to the naked eye.”

Underlined word: *microscope*

Options:
a) magnifying glass
b) telescope
c) camera
d) computer

Correct Answer: a) magnifying glass

Explanation:
A *microscope* is a tool that magnifies small objects so they can be seen — just like a magnifying glass, but much more powerful. The context says it’s used to see things “invisible to the naked eye,” confirming it’s for magnification. A telescope is for distant objects; camera and computer don’t primarily magnify.

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✔ Question 5:

> “The chef prepared a delicious meal using fresh ingredients from the local market.”

Underlined word: *ingredients*

Options:
a) spices
b) cooking utensils
c) food items
d) recipes

Correct Answer: c) food items

Explanation:
*Ingredients* are the components used to make a dish — like vegetables, meat, flour, etc. “Spices” are a subset of ingredients. “Utensils” are tools, “recipes” are instructions — neither are “used” to prepare the meal in the same way. So “food items” is the most accurate general term.

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✔ Question 6:

> “The artist used a palette to mix colors before painting the landscape.”

Underlined word: *palette*

Options:
a) brush
b) canvas
c) tray for mixing paint
d) easel

Correct Answer: c) tray for mixing paint

Explanation:
An artist’s *palette* is literally a flat board or tray where they mix paints. The sentence says “to mix colors,” which directly points to this function. Brushes apply paint, canvases are what you paint on, and easels hold the canvas — none are used for mixing.

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✔ Question 7:

> “The hikers carried backpacks filled with supplies for their journey through the mountains.”

Underlined word: *supplies*

Options:
a) snacks
b) maps
c) necessary items
d) souvenirs

Correct Answer: c) necessary items

Explanation:
*Supplies* refer to anything needed for a trip — water, food, first aid, clothing, etc. While “snacks” and “maps” might be part of supplies, “necessary items” is the broadest and most accurate term. “Souvenirs” are keepsakes, not essential for survival or travel.

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✔ Question 8:

> “The teacher asked the students to write a paragraph explaining why recycling is important.”

Underlined word: *recycling*

Options:
a) reusing materials
b) throwing away trash
c) buying new products
d) planting trees

Correct Answer: a) reusing materials

Explanation:
*Recycling* means processing used materials (like paper, plastic, glass) into new products — essentially *reusing* them. This reduces waste and conserves resources. The other options contradict the purpose of recycling.

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## 📝 Final Answers Summary:

| Question | Correct Answer |
|----------|----------------|
| 1 | a) tools |
| 2 | a) stories about people’s lives |
| 3 | a) chosen by vote |
| 4 | a) magnifying glass |
| 5 | c) food items |
| 6 | c) tray for mixing paint |
| 7 | c) necessary items |
| 8 | a) reusing materials |

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## 💡 Teaching Tip:
This worksheet teaches context clue strategies — using surrounding sentences to guess meanings of unfamiliar words. Encourage students to ask:
- What is happening in the sentence?
- What kind of word is it? (noun, verb, adjective?)
- What does the rest of the sentence suggest?

These skills are vital for reading comprehension and vocabulary growth!

Let me know if you’d like a printable version or additional practice!