Common Core: 2nd Grade English Language Arts : Use Context Clues to Determine Word Meanings: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.4.A
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 2nd Grade English Language Arts
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Meanings Of Unknown And Multiple Meaning Words And Phrases: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.2.4
Use the sentences below to determine the meaning of the word "distressed".
At first, Megan was distressed about being put in Mrs. Smith's class. Then, she learned that her best friend was in Mrs. Smith's class too, so Megan was happy.
thrilled
upset
tired
overjoyed
upset
Looking at the sentence provided, Megan was first "distressed" but then she was "happy". Because she changed from being "distressed" to "happy", "distressed" means the opposite of "happy".
Of our answer choices, "upset" is the opposite of happy. Upset means to be sad.
Example Question #1 : Use Context Clues To Determine Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.2.4.A
Use the sentences below to determine the meaning of the word "amusing".
The clown is very amusing. He had everyone laughing.
funny
sad
tired
happy
funny
Amusing means to be funny. The clue in the context of the sentence is that everyone was laughing. We laugh at funny, or amusing, things.
Example Question #1 : Use Context Clues To Determine Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.2.4.A
Use the sentences below to determine the meaning of the word "avoids".
He doesn’t like to eat green beans. He avoids eating them.
to enjoy eating
to be forced to do something
to love
to keep away from
to keep away from
To avoid is to keep away from. The clue in the context of the sentence is that we are told he doesn’t like green beans. You would likely keep away from, or avoid, something you don’t like.
Example Question #3 : Use Context Clues To Determine Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.2.4.A
Use the sentences below to determine the meaning of the word "different".
Ben and Sara had the same teacher last year, but this year they did not. They have different teachers.
to be kind
the same
not the same
to be mean
not the same
Different means not the same. The clue in the context of our sentence is that we were told Ben and Sara had the same teacher last year, but this year they did not. If they didn’t have the same, that means they are different.
Example Question #4 : Use Context Clues To Determine Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.2.4.A
Use the sentences below to determine the meaning of the word "enormous".
The cake is so big, you might even call it enormous.
huge
small
tiny
tasty
huge
Something that is enormous is very big or huge. The clue in the context of our sentence is that we are told the cake was so big.
Example Question #5 : Use Context Clues To Determine Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.2.4.A
Use the sentences below to determine the meaning of the word "helpful".
Megan was being very helpful. She helped her mom clean the house and cook dinner.
to ignore
to help
to be giving
to be kind
to help
If you are helpful that means you help people. The clue in the context of our sentence is we are told Megan helped her mom. Because she helped her mom, she is helpful.
Example Question #1 : Use Context Clues To Determine Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.2.4.A
Use the sentences below to determine the meaning of the word "includes".
Kathy doesn’t like to leave people out when she plays. She includes everyone in the game.
to expect something
to leave out
to put in a group
to have special plans
to put in a group
To include means to put in a group. The clue in the context of our sentence is we are told Kathy doesn’t like to leave anyone out when she plays. Everyone was in the game.
Example Question #2 : Use Context Clues To Determine Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.2.4.A
Use the sentences below to determine the meaning of the word "necessary".
Eric doesn’t want to have to do homework. But, Eric wants to get a good grade in the class, and doing the homework is necessary to get a good grade.
to study hard
to keep away from
to need
to avoid
to need
Necessary means to need to do something. The clue in the context of the sentence is that we are told he wants to get a good grade, and you have to do homework to get a good grade. Thus, he needs to do the homework.
Example Question #3 : Use Context Clues To Determine Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.2.4.A
Use the sentences below to determine the meaning of the word "peeking".
My mom said no peeking at the Christmas gifts under the tree. But I couldn’t help it, and I took a quick look.
to stare at for a long time
to see quickly
to unwrap
to play with
to see quickly
Peeking means to look at something quickly. The clue in the context of our sentence is that we are told: “I took a quick look”.
Example Question #7 : Use Context Clues To Determine Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.2.4.A
Use the sentences below to determine the meaning of the word "volunteered".
The teacher asked for help passing out the papers so Ben volunteered to help her pass them out.
to join a team
to offer help
to play
to not do any work
to offer help
To volunteer means to offer to help. The clue in the context of the sentence is we are told the teacher asked for help and Ben helped.
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All Common Core: 2nd Grade English Language Arts Resources
