Context Clues – Answer Sheet

Definitions of key words and type of clues used in the sentence:

The girl who used to be very vociferous doesn’t talk much anymore.

Vociferous–so loud or insistent as to compel attention

Clue–antonym (or explanation)

Pedagogical institutions, including high schools, kindergartens, and colleges, require

community support to function efficiently.

Pedagogical–relating to, or befitting a teacher or education

Clue–example

He was so parsimonious that he refused to give his own sons the few pennies they needed to
buy pencils for school. It truly hurt him to part with his money.

Parsimonious–frugal to the point of stinginess

Clue–explanation

His pertinacity, or stubbornness, is the cause of most of his trouble.

Pertinacity–stubbornly unyielding or tenacious

Clue–synonym

Rather than be involved in clandestine meetings, they did everything quite openly.

Clandestine–marked by, held in, or conducted with secrecy

Clue–antonym

Ecclesiastics, such as priests, ministers, and pastors, should set models of behavior for their
congregants.

Ecclesiastics–clergymen
Clue–example

The girl was churlish–rude, sullen and absolutely ill-mannered.

Churlish–marked by a lack of civility or graciousness

Clue–explanation or example

Because the conflagration was aided by wind, it was so destructive that every building in the
area was completely burned to the ground.

Conflagration–a large disastrous fire

Clue–explanation