Students learn four kinds of context clue that help readers work out the meaning of an unfamiliar word without a dictionary: a definition, a synonym, an antonym or contrast, and an example. They identify the clue type in original sentences, use clues in a short passage to define bold words, check their guesses by substituting a simpler word, and write sentences that build in clues for a reader.
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Curriculum: Australian Curriculum. We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.
Completed: Using Context Clues to Work Out Unfamiliar Words
Year 7 students (typically ages 12–13) working on vocabulary. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.
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.
About 25 minutes for 15 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.
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Try Paragraph Structure: Topic Sentences, Evidence and Linking.
Success TutoringWorksheetsYear 7 · English · VocabularyName
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When you meet a new word, read the whole sentence, and the one after it, before you reach for a dictionary.
Context clues are hints in the nearby words. Signal words help: which means, is called (definition); or, also known as (synonym); but, unlike, although, however (contrast); such as, for example, including (example). Circle the type of clue.
Read the passage and use context clues to work out the bold words.
The Night Market
Every Friday, the empty lot behind the station turns into a night market. By seven o'clock it is teeming with people, so crowded that you can barely squeeze between the stalls.
The food is the main attraction. One stall sells steaming dumplings; another sells skewers, thin sticks threaded with grilled meat and vegetables. Many of the dishes are pungent, with the strong smell of garlic, ginger and pepper drifting across the lot, but there is always a long line at the ice cream van for something milder.
When the stalls begin to pack up at ten, our family leaves reluctantly, dragging our feet and promising to come back next week.
(Passage written for this worksheet.)
Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.
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