Subscribe

5th grade · English Language Arts · Unit 4 of 11

Context Clues

Crack the meaning of new words

What your child practices

Using the words around an unfamiliar word to figure out what it means, naming the type of clue, and choosing the right meaning of words like “bat” or “bank.”

Alaska content standards learning standard: L.5.4 · using context to work out word meanings

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. Read the sentence and the ones around it for clues.
  2. Clues can be a definition, a synonym, an opposite or an example.
  3. For words with more than one meaning, like bat or bank, pick the meaning that fits the sentence.

Example: “The window was transparent, so we could see the whole garden.” What does “transparent” mean? The clue: we could see through it to the garden. So it lets light and sight pass through. Answer: clear enough to see through

Context Clues in Alaska

In the Alaska content standards, this is unit 4 of 11 in 5th grade English Language Arts, after Purpose and Structure and before Greek and Latin Roots.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Alaska Department of Education and Early Development

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    What does “cautious” mean in this sentence?

    The cautious cyclist slowed down and looked both ways before crossing the busy street.

    • careful
    • forgetful
    • noisy
    • speedy

  2. Question 2

    What does “hesitated” mean in this sentence?

    Maya hesitated at the edge of the creek, unsure whether the rocks were safe to step on.

    • fell asleep
    • paused before acting
    • shouted loudly
    • ran quickly

  3. Question 3

    What does “persistent” mean in this sentence?

    Kenji was persistent. Even after his kite crashed six times, he kept trying until it flew.

    • always late
    • not giving up
    • very careless
    • easily bored

  4. Question 4

    Which meaning of “pitcher” is used in this sentence?

    The pitcher threw the ball across home plate.

    • a jug for pouring drinks
    • a baseball player who throws the ball
    • a person who sets up a tent

  5. Question 5

    What does “scarce” mean in this sentence?

    Water is scarce in the desert, so plants there store every drop they can.

    • hard to find
    • everywhere
    • salty
    • very cold

  6. Question 6

    What kind of context clue helps you understand “lava”?

    Lava, melted rock that flows out of a volcano, glows orange and red.

    • examples (examples are listed)
    • definition (the meaning is explained)
    • antonym (an opposite is given)

More 5th grade