Success TutoringWorksheets
WorksheetYear 5Level 2 · Standard

Free Year 5 Using Context Clues to Work Out New Words Worksheet

Students learn to work out the meaning of an unfamiliar word from the words around it. They use four kinds of context clue (a definition, a synonym, an antonym or examples) to choose meanings, name the type of clue in a sentence, explain new words in their own words and write sentences with clues of their own.

Instant download · No sign-up · Free for personal, classroom and homeschool use

Year
Year 5
Subject
English
Topic
Vocabulary
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
25 minutes
Curriculum
Australian Curriculum
Questions
17
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practise

  • using context clues to work out word meanings
  • identifying definition, synonym, antonym and example clues
  • explaining a new word in your own words
  • writing sentences with context clues

Curriculum: Australian Curriculum. We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: Using Context Clues to Work Out New Words

  1. 1Year 5 Prefixes: un-, re-, dis-, pre-, mis- Worksheet — Level 1
  2. 2Year 5 Synonyms and Antonyms Worksheet — Level 1
  3. 3Year 5 Prefixes: un-, re-, dis-, pre-, mis- Worksheet — Level 2
  4. 4Year 5 Synonyms and Antonyms Worksheet — Level 2

How to use this worksheet

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this worksheet for?

Year 5 students (typically ages 10–11) working on vocabulary. It is pitched at level 2 · standard; an easier version and a harder version are linked above.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 25 minutes for 17 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Try Year 5 Prefixes: un-, re-, dis-, pre-, mis- Worksheet — Level 1.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheetsYear 5 · English · Vocabulary

Using Context Clues to Work Out New Words

Name

Date

Score /

When you meet a new word, read the whole sentence and look for clues before and after it.

Part A: Use the clues

Context clues are the words around a new word that help you work out what it means. Circle the meaning of the word in bold.

1.The hikers were famished after the long walk, so they ate every crumb of their lunch.
  1. Avery hungry
  2. Bvery cold
  3. Clost
  4. Dsleepy
2.Unlike his timid brother, Jake loves to speak in front of a crowd.
  1. Ashy
  2. Bloud
  3. Ctall
  4. Dangry
3.Be careful with the vase; it is fragile, which means it breaks easily.
  1. Avaluable
  2. Beasily broken
  3. Cvery old
  4. Dheavy
4.The room was in chaos: toys were everywhere, chairs were knocked over and paint covered the floor.
  1. Asilence
  2. Ba complete mess
  3. Cdarkness
  4. Da party
5.Mia was elated, or extremely happy, when she won the prize.
  1. Aupset
  2. Bextremely happy
  3. Csurprised
  4. Dtired
6.Nocturnal animals, such as owls, bats and moths, sleep during the day and are active at night.
  1. Aactive at night
  2. Bvery small
  3. Cliving in trees
  4. Ddangerous
7.The old bridge was sturdy enough to hold the weight of a truck.
  1. Astrong
  2. Bshaky
  3. Cnew
  4. Dnarrow
8.Instead of rushing, Grandpa took a leisurely stroll through the garden.
  1. Afast
  2. Brelaxed and slow
  3. Cnoisy
  4. Dshort

Part B: Name the clue

A definition clue explains the word. A synonym clue gives a word with a similar meaning. An antonym clue gives the opposite. An example clue lists examples. Circle the type of clue in each sentence.

9.A glacier is a huge, slow-moving river of ice.
  1. Adefinition
  2. Bsynonym
  3. Cantonym
  4. Dexample
10.The show was hilarious; it was so funny that we cried with laughter.
  1. Adefinition
  2. Bsynonym
  3. Cantonym
  4. Dexample
11.Unlike the arid desert, the rainforest is wet all year.
  1. Adefinition
  2. Bsynonym
  3. Cantonym
  4. Dexample
12.Fruits such as lemons, limes and oranges are citrus fruits.
  1. Adefinition
  2. Bsynonym
  3. Cantonym
  4. Dexample
Free worksheets at worksheets.successtutoring.com · © Success Tutoring · Free for personal and classroom use

Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

  • Worksheet

    Prefixes and Suffixes

    Students learn that a prefix is added to the start of a word to change its meaning (un-, re-, pre-, mis-, sub-, dis-) and a suffix is…

    Difficulty
    Level 2 · Standard
    Time
    18 min
    Questions
    19 questions
    Answers
    Answers included
  • Worksheet

    Root Words and Word Origins

    Students discover that many English words grow from Latin and Greek roots, such as struct (build), rupt (break) and aud (hear), and that…

    Difficulty
    Level 2 · Standard
    Time
    25 min
    Questions
    16 questions
    Answers
    Answers included
  • Worksheet

    Year 5 Prefixes: un-, re-, dis-, pre-, mis- Worksheet — Level 1

    Add a prefix to the start of a word and work out how the prefix changes the meaning (un- = not, re- = again, dis- = not, pre- = before,…

    Difficulty
    Level 1 · Easier
    Time
    10 min
    Questions
    12 questions
    Answers
    Answers included
  • Worksheet

    Year 5 Synonyms and Antonyms Worksheet — Level 1

    Choose the word that means the same (synonym) or the opposite (antonym) to build vocabulary. Starts with the most common words and the…

    Difficulty
    Level 1 · Easier
    Time
    10 min
    Questions
    12 questions
    Answers
    Answers included
  • Worksheet

    Year 5 Prefixes: un-, re-, dis-, pre-, mis- Worksheet — Level 2

    Add a prefix to the start of a word and work out how the prefix changes the meaning (un- = not, re- = again, dis- = not, pre- = before,…

    Difficulty
    Level 2 · Standard
    Time
    10 min
    Questions
    12 questions
    Answers
    Answers included
  • Worksheet

    Year 5 Synonyms and Antonyms Worksheet — Level 2

    Choose the word that means the same (synonym) or the opposite (antonym) to build vocabulary. Expected-level practice with the main…

    Difficulty
    Level 2 · Standard
    Time
    10 min
    Questions
    12 questions
    Answers
    Answers included
  • Worksheet

    Year 5 Prefixes: un-, re-, dis-, pre-, mis- Worksheet — Level 3

    Add a prefix to the start of a word and work out how the prefix changes the meaning (un- = not, re- = again, dis- = not, pre- = before,…

    Difficulty
    Level 3 · Challenge
    Time
    10 min
    Questions
    12 questions
    Answers
    Answers included
  • Worksheet

    Year 5 Synonyms and Antonyms Worksheet — Level 3

    Choose the word that means the same (synonym) or the opposite (antonym) to build vocabulary. A challenge set with trickier and irregular…

    Difficulty
    Level 3 · Challenge
    Time
    10 min
    Questions
    12 questions
    Answers
    Answers included

Vocabulary in other year levels

About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

Free to print and share for personal, classroom and homeschool use. Please don't resell. Spotted an error? Let us know.