Context Clues Worksheet

Students use definition, synonym, antonym, example and general clues to work out 11 unfamiliar words in sentences and a short passage.

Format

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At a glance
Grades
3–5
Pages
3
Type
Worksheet
Includes
Answer key
Answer key included

Last updated

Five kinds of context clues, in sentences and a passage

Students learn five kinds of context clues and the words that signal them, such as "which means" for a definition and "but" for an antonym. In six sentences they underline the clue for a bold word like ravenous, choose its meaning and name the clue type. On page 2, a passage about a class trip to tide pools, they write their own meanings for words such as crevice and tenaciously and copy the clue that helped. The answer key suggests swapping the meaning in for the bold word to test it.

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Students will

Learning objectives

  • Find the words in a sentence that explain an unknown word.
  • Name a clue as a definition, synonym, antonym, example or general clue.
  • Write the meaning of an unfamiliar word in their own words.
  • Use a newly learned word correctly in a sentence.
From the creator

Teaching tips

1

Sentences 2 and 6 hide a synonym right after a comma ("dilapidated, run-down" and "ravenous, starving"). Students often skip past it while looking for a signal word, so point out that the synonym row on the strip has no signal word.

2

Sentence 5 has no signal word at all: students work out jubilant from the fans cheering, hugging and dancing. Expect some to write "example"; the key gives "general" and also accepts "inference".

3

On page 2, the clue for meticulous is spread over two sentences. Students who copy only "with care" have found part of it; ask what else Ava did that shows she was careful.

Differentiation

Meet every learner.

Ways to adjust the 12 tasks for different readers.

Support

Start with signal words

  • Do sentences 1 and 3, which have the clearest signal words (which means, but), together first.
  • On page 2, write three meaning choices for each bold word, as on page 1.
  • Read the passage aloud before students look for clues.
On level

Teach as written

  • Both student pages, with the strip used to name each clue type.
  • The "Use it" sentence puts the passage word in a new setting, not the tide pools.
Extension

Write your own clues

  • Write a sentence for each clue type using a new word, such as one from a class novel.
  • Rewrite sentence 5 so it has a definition clue instead of a general clue.
  • Name the clue type for each passage word, which the key leaves open, and explain the choice.

Standards alignment.

Each one is checked against the official documents. Where the resource covers only part of a standard, the note says so.

Common Core ELA · Grades 3–5
L.4.4.aUse context, such as definitions, examples or restatements, to work out a word's meaning

Students underline the clue, choose the meaning and name the clue type (definition, synonym, example and more) for six sentences, then explain five bold words in a passage and copy the clue that helped.

L.5.4.aUse context, such as cause and effect or comparisons, to work out a word's meaning

The antonym item (careless but cautious) and the passage clue "as salty as a bag of pretzels" use contrast and comparison to show meaning. Cause-and-effect clues are not practiced.

L.3.4.aUse sentence-level context to work out a word's meaning

Part A gives one sentence per word, and students use the rest of that sentence to choose the meaning. The passage in Part B goes past the sentence level.

TEKS English · Grade 3
3.3(B)Use context to find word meaning

Students use clues in the same sentence and across a short passage to work out words like frigid, crevice and meticulous, then copy the clue; multiple-meaning words are not included.

3.3(D)Synonyms and antonyms

Students name whether each clue is a same-meaning word or an opposite-meaning word and use it to find the meaning; idioms, homophones and homographs are not covered.

Good to know.

Which words does it teach?

Eleven: frigid, dilapidated, cautious, legumes, jubilant and ravenous in the sentences, and briny, crevice, tenaciously, meticulous and submerged in the passage.

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Used it in class? Your notes help another teacher plan.

Context Clues Worksheet · 3 pages
Context Clues Worksheet: a chart of five clue types with signal words, then six sentences with a bold word, meaning choices and a clue type line
Page 1 of 3 · Page 1
Context Clues Worksheet: a short low tide passage with five bold words, meaning and clue lines for each word and a write-your-own sentence box
Page 2 of 3 · Page 2
Context Clues Worksheet: answer key with the clues underlined, meanings and clue types, the passage word meanings, a model sentence and a tip
Page 3 of 3 · Page 3
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