Common Sense/Life Experience

Context Clues

Directions: Read each sentence and select the correct synonym for the bolded word. Mark the letter of your choice in red. Next, write the name of the type of context clue used in the sentence in the appropriate space from the following choices:

Synonym List Definition Example Antonym Common sense/Life experience

1. I didn’t know she hated me so much until she told my sister she abhorred me. a. loved b. hated c. punched d. ignored

Type of context clue:

2. The diamond looked so real the jeweler could not believe it was counterfeit. a. genuine b. colorful c. rare d. fake

3. The violence of the storm could not hinder the ship’s progress toward the island. a. predict b. show c. block d. defy

4. The lake was so placid, calm, and tranquil. a. wet b. pretty c. joyful d. peaceful

Type of context clue: 5. After his stress-induced breakdown, his psychiatrist recommended a respite from the pressures of the world. a. break b. embrace c. conclusion d. procrastination

6. If you are going to get up before dawn tomorrow, you had better retire early tonight. a. eat b. pray c. sleep d. shower

7. When he punched him at the church the priest could not believe the two boys would fight in such a reverent place. a. important b. clean c. cold d. holy

8. My brother behaved inanely at the dinner party; he tried to pull the table cloth out from under the dishes, he tried to juggle three cups and he ran around clucking like a chicken. a. seriously b. intelligently c. silly d. cautiously

9. Some men are loquacious; they love to talk and talk. a. chatty b. sensitive c. violent d. insane

Type of context clue: 10. Although they appeared quite succulent, the pears tasted bitter. a. nasty b. unripe c. healthy d. tasty

11. He was usually very amiable, so his mean response shocked me. a. rude b. cruel c. tired d. friendly

12. They had always been friends, but this new animosity threatened their relationship. a. rumor b. triangle c. hatred d. confusion

13. The voracious lion devoured the 100 pounds of steak in 5 five minutes. a. dirty b. hungry c. large d. typical

14. The time elapsed so quickly the game was over in the blink of an eye. a. stopped b. grew c. changed d. passed

Type of context clue: 15. The laceration took ten stitches to close. a. medicine b. scalpel c. organ d. cut