Let’s go through each word one by one. We’ll look at the sentence it’s in and figure out what it means based on the clues around it.
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1. relic
Sentence: “It’s a good thing we were the ones to find the
relic. If this ancient treasure had fallen into the hands of some malicious actor...”
Clue: The word “ancient treasure” is right after “relic.” So, “relic” must mean something old — like an antique or artifact from long ago.
→ Best choice:
B. antiquity (which means something very old)
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2. malicious
Sentence: “If this ancient treasure had fallen into the hands of some
malicious actor, it would have been a catastrophe for history.”
Clue: A “catastrophe” is a bad thing. So if someone with “malicious” intentions got the treasure, that would cause disaster. That means “malicious” = having bad intentions.
→ Best choice:
B. not well meaning
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3. catastrophe
Sentence: “...it would have been a
catastrophe for history.”
Clue: This is clearly a negative outcome — something terrible happening to history. So “catastrophe” = a big disaster or bad event.
→ Best choice:
B. a bad thing
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4. calculate
Sentence: “We
calculate it must be several thousands of years old.”
Clue: They’re making a smart guess based on evidence — they’re figuring it out using logic or math. Not just guessing randomly.
→ Best choice:
A. figure out
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5. composition
Sentence: “Its
composition seems to be metal.”
Clue: They’re talking about what the object is made of — its materials. So “composition” here = what it’s made of, or its makeup.
→ Best choice:
A. make up
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6. tentative
Sentence: “We have made
tentative plans to turn it over to a museum until we have completed our studies.”
Clue: They haven’t finished studying yet, so their plans are not final — they might change them later. So “tentative” = not firm, maybe possible but not sure.
→ Best choice:
B. possible
*(Note: “firm” would mean definite — which doesn’t fit because they’re still studying.)*
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7. confer
Sentence: “First, we need to
confer with some other experts in the field.”
Clue: You talk to experts to get their opinions — you consult them. So “confer” = to discuss or consult.
→ Best choice:
A. consult
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Final Answer:
1. B
2. B
3. B
4. A
5. A
6. B
7. A
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of using context clues to determine word meaning worksheet.
