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Using Context Clues to Work Out New Words — Answers

Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the Year 5 vocabulary worksheet.

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Success TutoringWorksheetsAnswer sheetYear 5 · English · Vocabulary

Using Context Clues to Work Out New Words — Answers

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

Answer: very hungry

Ate every crumb after a long walk tells us they were very hungry.

2.Unlike his timid brother, Jake loves to speak in front of a crowd.
  1. Ashy
  2. Bloud
  3. Ctall
  4. Dangry

Answer: shy

Unlike tells us timid is the opposite of loving to speak in front of a crowd.

3.Be careful with the vase; it is fragile, which means it breaks easily.
  1. Avaluable
  2. Beasily broken
  3. Cvery old
  4. Dheavy

Answer: easily broken

The sentence gives the definition: which means it breaks easily.

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

Answer: a complete mess

The examples after the colon describe a complete mess.

5.Mia was elated, or extremely happy, when she won the prize.
  1. Aupset
  2. Bextremely happy
  3. Csurprised
  4. Dtired

Answer: extremely happy

Or extremely happy gives a synonym.

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

Answer: active at night

The sentence explains that they sleep in the day and are active at night.

7.The old bridge was sturdy enough to hold the weight of a truck.
  1. Astrong
  2. Bshaky
  3. Cnew
  4. Dnarrow

Answer: strong

Holding the weight of a truck needs something strong.

8.Instead of rushing, Grandpa took a leisurely stroll through the garden.
  1. Afast
  2. Brelaxed and slow
  3. Cnoisy
  4. Dshort

Answer: relaxed and slow

Instead of rushing tells us leisurely is the opposite: relaxed and slow.

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

Answer: definition

The sentence tells us exactly what a glacier is.

10.The show was hilarious; it was so funny that we cried with laughter.
  1. Adefinition
  2. Bsynonym
  3. Cantonym
  4. Dexample

Answer: synonym

Funny is a word with a similar meaning.

11.Unlike the arid desert, the rainforest is wet all year.
  1. Adefinition
  2. Bsynonym
  3. Cantonym
  4. Dexample

Answer: antonym

Unlike shows that arid means the opposite of wet.

12.Fruits such as lemons, limes and oranges are citrus fruits.
  1. Adefinition
  2. Bsynonym
  3. Cantonym
  4. Dexample

Answer: example

Such as gives examples of citrus fruits.

Part C: In your own words

Use the context clues to write what the word in bold means.

13.The drought lasted so long that the rivers dried up and the crops died.

Answer: a long time with little or no rain

  1. Any answer meaning a long dry period without rain is correct.
14.The pool was temporarily closed, but it would open again next week.

Answer: for a short time

  1. Also correct: not forever, or for now.
15.Ravi was reluctant to jump into the cold water; he stood at the edge for ages.

Answer: not wanting to do something

  1. Also correct: unwilling, or not keen.
16.The baby was drowsy, so she yawned and her eyes began to close.

Answer: sleepy

  1. Also correct: tired, or nearly asleep.

Part D: Your turn

17.Your turn: choose three of these words: enormous, cautious, ancient, gloomy, swift. Write one sentence for each word with a context clue that helps a reader work out its meaning. Use a different type of clue each time and name it.

Model answer: The ancient castle, which was built more than eight hundred years ago, was crumbling. (definition) Unlike his brave sister, Max was cautious and checked the ice twice before stepping onto it. (antonym) The swift, or very fast, river carried the leaf away in seconds. (synonym)

Success criteria:

  • Three of the listed words used correctly
  • Each sentence has a context clue
  • Three different types of clue
  • Each clue type named correctly
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Marking tips

  • Give credit for correct method even when the final answer slips — the working shows where the thinking went right.
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