Context Clues Vocabulary

Name:

Date:

Detective with magnifying glass looking at words

🕵️ Part 1: Context Detective

Instructions: Read each sentence carefully. Use the context clues (words around the unfamiliar word) to work out what the bold word means.

1. The enormous elephant trumpeted loudly as it walked through the savanna. The word "enormous" means:

very small

very large

very quiet

very fast

2. Sarah was famished after her long hike, so she ate three sandwiches for lunch. The word "famished" means:

very tired

very thirsty

very hungry

very happy

3. The ancient castle had crumbling walls and was built over 800 years ago. The word "ancient" means:

very new

very old

very tall

very small

4. Unlike his cheerful sister, Tom was melancholy and sat quietly in the corner. The word "melancholy" means:

very happy

very loud

very sad

very excited

📝 Part 2: Explain Your Thinking

Instructions: For each question below, explain how you used context clues to work out the meaning. Use the sentence starter: "I think _____ means _____ because _____."

5. The frigid water made the swimmers shiver and their teeth chatter as they jumped into the lake in winter.

What does "frigid" mean? Explain your thinking:

6. The teacher had to intervene when the two students started arguing, stepping between them to help solve the problem.

What does "intervene" mean? Explain your thinking:

7. The fragile glass ornament broke into tiny pieces when it fell from the Christmas tree.

What does "fragile" mean? Explain your thinking:

🎯 Part 3: Your Vocabulary List

Instructions: Choose your three favourite new words from this worksheet. Write them in your personal vocabulary list below with their meanings and create your own sentence using each word.

8. New Word 1: ________________

Meaning: ________________________________________________

My sentence: ________________________________________________

9. New Word 2: ________________

Meaning: ________________________________________________

My sentence: ________________________________________________

10. New Word 3: ________________

Meaning: ________________________________________________

My sentence: ________________________________________________