Context Clues

Using the Example and Definition Clues

Directions: Read the sentence and use either the synonym clue or antonym clue to determine the meaning of the
unfamiliar word.

1. Projectiles include those items that are shot forward The word constable in this sentence means
such as a cannon shell, bullet, or rocket.
A. jockey
The word projectiles in this sentence means B. policeman
C. criminal
A. things put down D. poor person
B. things broken
C. things hurt 5. After the driver lost control of her automobile, the
D. things shot forward vehicle careened off the road. It went down a bank
Julie has many culinary talents - cooking an incredible and slammed into a tree.
meatloaf and cooking an amazing chicken. The word careened in this sentence means
The word culinary in this sentence means A. straightened
A. of cooking B. arranged
B. of science C. tidied
C. of medicine D. zigzagged
D. of math

2. This summer we needed to move the pigs to their 6. The tornado annihilated the whole town to the point
new pen. The old sow stubbornly refused to move. that nothing was left standing.
The old aphorism, "pig-headed," sure described her.
The word annihilated in this sentence means
The word aphorism in this sentence means
A. created
A. falsehood B. saved
B. saying C. destroyed
C. forgery D. constructed
D. untruth

3. Samantha is so querulous, such as complaining that

the teacher didn't call on her, that it's hard to be her
friend sometimes.

The word querulous in this sentence means

A. hateful
B. pleasant
C. ugly
D. whining

4. In Great Britain, the police officer was called a

constable.