Worksheet on Context Clues

Directions: Read each sentence and determine the meaning of the highlighted word using cross sentence
clues or your prior knowledge. Then, explain what clues in the sentence helped you determine the word
meaning.
1. I wouldn't mind sharing with Patrick if he didn't act like being a part of the Witherspoon family entitled
him to a piece of everything on campus.
Definition: ___________________________________________________________________________
What clues in the sentence lead you to your definition?

2. Though Joseph was the true king, his uncle usurped the throne and was now ruling the land quite
cruelly.
Definition: ___________________________________________________________________________
What clues in the sentence lead you to your definition?

4. The magnanimous judge released the young offender who had been caught stealing bread by saying,
"Everybody has to eat," and slamming down his gavel.
Definition: ___________________________________________________________________________
What clues in the sentence lead you to your definition?

5. Angela did not want to go to the party. She wanted to study for the exam, but her sister nagged her so
much that Angela finally acquiesced and agreed to go.
Definition: ___________________________________________________________________________
What clues in the sentence lead you to your definition?

6. Ducked down in the tall grass, the warriors waited patiently on the hillside for the next group
unfortunate enough to walk through their ambuscade.
Definition: ___________________________________________________________________________
What clues in the sentence lead you to your definition?

7. Due to his parsimonious nature, Brian enjoys borrowing movies from the library and copying them,
buying day old bread from the bakery, and recording music from the radio even though he has a lot of
money.
 Definition: ___________________________________________________________________________
What clues in the sentence lead you to your definition?

8. Katie talked back to the principal and called him by his first name so he sent her to the office for her
insolence.

Definition: ___________________________________________________________________________
What clues in the sentence lead you to your definition?

9. "Teacher, you forgot to assign homework," said James, expressing the obsequious nature that made
him unpopular.

Definition: ___________________________________________________________________________
What clues in the sentence lead you to your definition?

10. John gave me two tickets to the basketball game, but I have an aversion to going to crowded places
like sports arenas, so would you like to have them?

Definition: ___________________________________________________________________________
What clues in the sentence lead you to your definition?

11. Josh felt bad about hitting his little sister, but he was so vexed when he saw her playing with his only
Superman action figure that he lost his temper.

Definition: ___________________________________________________________________________

What clues in the sentence lead you to your definition?

12. I wanted to give the new kid a chance, but when he started telling me that he could ride his
skateboard on top of the telephone wires, all I could do was stare at him with an incredulous smirk.

Definition: ___________________________________________________________________________

What clues in the sentence lead you to your definition?

13. The music teacher had difficulty tolerating the discordant noises produced by her kindergarten class.
 Definition: ___________________________________________________________________________

What clues in the sentence lead you to your definition?

14. My mom always worries about my grades and the colleges that I’ll be able to attend, but if she were a
little less fretful she’d be a lot more fun.

Definition: ___________________________________________________________________________
What clues in the sentence lead you to your definition?

15. Miss Annie reproached Johnny for the missing chocolate chip cookies, even though Johnny is
allergic to chocolate.

Definition: ___________________________________________________________________________
What clues in the sentence lead you to your definition?