5th grade · English Language Arts · Unit 4 of 13
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.”
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) teks student expectation: 5.3(B) · using context to work out word meanings
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
- Read the sentence and the ones around it for clues.
- Clues can be a definition, a synonym, an opposite or an example.
- 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 Texas
In the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), this is unit 4 of 13 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.
- 5th grade guide for Texas parents
- Printable 5th grade English Language Arts sheet
- Texas report cards explained
Source: Texas Education Agency (TEA)
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Which meaning of “pitcher” is used in this sentence?
The pitcher threw the ball across home plate.
- a baseball player who throws the ball
- a jug for pouring drinks
- a person who sets up a tent
a baseball player who throws the ball
Hint: “pitcher” has more than one meaning. Read the whole sentence, then try each meaning in its place.
Question 2
What does “generous” mean in this sentence?
Instead of being stingy, Amir was generous and shared his snacks with the whole team.
- unwilling to share
- happy to share
- very fast
- always hungry
happy to share
Hint: Amir shared his snacks with everyone. “Instead of being stingy” points to the opposite of stingy.
Question 3
Which meaning of “bat” is used in this sentence?
The bat flew out of the cave at dusk.
- a stick for hitting a ball
- a small flying mammal
- to blink your eyes
a small flying mammal
Hint: “bat” has more than one meaning. Read the whole sentence, then try each meaning in its place.
Question 4
What kind of context clue helps you understand “cluttered”?
Ana's room was always tidy, but her brother's room was cluttered.
- definition (the meaning is explained)
- antonym (an opposite is given)
- examples (examples are listed)
antonym (an opposite is given)
Hint: “But” signals a contrast. Cluttered is the opposite of tidy.
Question 5
What does “cautious” mean in this sentence?
The cautious cyclist slowed down and looked both ways before crossing the busy street.
- careful
- noisy
- forgetful
- speedy
careful
Hint: Slowing down and looking both ways are things a careful person does.
Question 6
What does “exhausted” mean in this sentence?
The hikers were exhausted, or very tired, after climbing all day.
- worn out
- lost
- freezing
- thrilled
worn out
Hint: The meaning is given right after the word, between commas: “or very tired.”