Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts : Use Context Clues to Determine Word Meanings: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6.4.A
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts
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Example Questions
Example Question #11 : Use Context Clues To Determine Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.4.A
Read the following sentences and determine the meaning of the underlined word using context clues or your prior knowledge.
“Annie is the most treacherous person I have ever met!!,” Natalie yelled as she ran up the stairs to her room. She could not believe that Annie would stab her in the back the way she did. She told Annie about the crush she had on Nick in secret and Annie blabbed it to the whole school! She would never be able to trust Annie again.
What does the word treacherous mean?
Wise and intelligent
Guilty of or involving betrayal or deception
Giving or showing firm and constant support to a person
Loyal, constant, and steadfast
Guilty of or involving betrayal or deception
In this passage, Annie is described as a treacherous person. She “stabbed Natalie in the back”, was told a secret then blabbed it to everyone, and Natalie can never trust her again. These are all characteristics of someone who has betrayed or been disloyal to someone.
Example Question #12 : Use Context Clues To Determine Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.4.A
Read the sentences below and determine the closest synonym of the underlined word using context clues or your prior knowledge.
Farmer Michelle had never seen a drought this severe. She needed to irrigate her crops at least four times a day just to keep them alive. The sprinklers and wells were pumping all day long, and she was afraid the aquifers would run dry.
Harvest
Till
Soak
Pluck
Soak
The word irrigate means to supply water to (land or crops) to help growth. In this case, the author has given context clues about the challenging situation the farmer is in; she has never seen a drought this severe before, sprinklers and wells are pumping, and the aquifers could run dry. These are all clues that irrigate means something with water and the only choice that relates to water is soak.
Example Question #13 : Use Context Clues To Determine Word Meanings: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.6.4.A
Read the following sentences and determine the meaning of the underlined word using context clues or your prior knowledge.
The dog did not want to do the trick without a tangible reward. A “good boy” or clap of the hands was not enough, he wanted a pat on the head or a delicious treat! Words and cheers were not what this pup was after!
What does the word tangible mean?
Very inexpensive
Very expensive
Unable to be touched or grasped
Able to be perceived by touch
Able to be perceived by touch
In this set of sentences, the dog wants something he can touch or feel. He wants pats on the head or a dog treat to eat, not words or praise. Something tangible is able to be touched or grasped.
All Common Core: 6th Grade English Language Arts Resources
