Three Types of
Explanations
Examples
Contrast
Worksheet Set
* Including Original Reading Passages
 Six Worksheets
 Three Pages of Quick Reviews
 Answer Key
Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Classroom-In-The-Middle
Name_________________________________
Context Clues – Explanations
Date ___________________
Example: Arthropods, creatures that have hard exoskeletons and bodies made of
segments, are only one part of the animal kingdom.
In this example, “creatures that have hard exoskeletons and bodies made of segments,”
is a context clue. It gives an explanation of what the word arthropods means.
Directions: Use the context clues to choose the best words to fill in the blanks in the following
passage.
__(1)__, like Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, are long fiction
stories made up of a number of chapters. A story like this usually has lots of
__(2)__, the imaginary people who appear in the story. To name just a few in
the first Harry Potter story, there were Harry himself, Ron Weasley, Hermione
Granger, and Albus Dumbledore. This type of novel can be called a __(3)__
because the situations in the novel are not realistic ones that you would expect
to see in everyday life.
Word Box
pages novels text book titles actors characters strangers
fantasy biography chapters pets magician school
1. _____________________ 2. ___________________ 3. _____________________
Directions: Complete each sentence with a context clue that explains the meaning of the
word in bold print. Use a dictionary if necessary, but complete the sentences in your own
words.
4. Milly’s favorite kind of cake was marble cake, a cake made of ___________________
_____________________________________________________________________.
5. Mike’s all-time favorite pet was a brown and white beagle, a __________________
______________________________________________________________________.
6. This week we are learning about the executive branch of government, the branch that
______________________________________________________________________.
7. Bert was trying to draw an illustration of a trilobite, a __________________________
_________________________________________________, for his science homework.
Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian
Name_________________________________
Context Clues – Examples
Date ___________________
Example: Performing arts, such as singing, dancing, and comedy, can be
learned and practiced just like other school subjects at our school.
In this example, “such as singing, dancing, and comedy,” is a context clue. It gives
examples of what performing arts means.
Directions: Use the context clues to choose the best words to fill in the blanks in the following
passage.
Let me tell you about a few of my favorite things. My favorite types of
__(1)__ include short stories, personal essays, and narrative poems. My
favorite musical __(2)__ are hip hop and instrumental jazz. As far as __(3)__
sports, I like football, baseball, and basketball.
Word Box
art
instruments
individual
outdoor
competitive
literature
sentences
songs
styles
1. _____________________ 2. ___________________ 3. _____________________
Directions: Complete each sentence with a context clue that gives several examples of the
word in bold print. Use a dictionary or other reference source if necessary, but complete the
sentences in your own words.
4. I like to cook all kinds of pasta including _____________________________________
________________________________________________________________________.
5. Matthew’s favorite animals were reptiles such as _____________________________
________________________________________________________________________.
6. Hannah could often see several constellations, including _______________________
_____________________________________________________, when she looked up at the
sky on a clear night.
7. To create her new fashions, Nettie bought several types of fabric, ________________
_________________________________________________________________________ .
Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian
Name_________________________________
Date ___________________
Context Clues – Contrast
Example: Deciduous trees grow in the temperate forests. In the winter they
look very different from the evergreen trees, which do not lose their leaves.
In this example, “evergreen trees, which do not lose their leaves,” is a context clue. It
tells us the opposite of deciduous trees.
Directions: Use the context clues to choose the best words to fill in the blanks in the following
passage.
This problem is a tough one. To find the answer, you will need to do the
opposite of what you did in the last three problems. Instead of multiplying, you
will need to __(1)__. Be sure to keep the correct sign in front of each number,
too; one of them is a __(2)__ number, the opposite of the positive counting
numbers that you have mostly been working with so far. Also, be sure to add
the correct unit after the number that you write for your answer. This problem
involves __(3)__ units of measurement, not the customary US measurement
units.
Word Box
negative
positive
add
subtract
multiply
centimeter
divide
meter
metric
fraction measure
1. _____________________ 2. ___________________ 3. _____________________
Directions: Complete each sentence with a context clue that tells the opposite of the word in
bold print. Use a dictionary or thesaurus if necessary, but complete the sentences in your own
words.
4. Mark wrote in a neat cursive handwriting, the opposite of __________________________.
5. Seth was ecstatic when he heard the news. His brother felt just the opposite; he felt
____________________________________________________________________________.
6. Adrianna completed her homework expeditiously. On the other hand, _______________
____________________________________________________________________________.
7. John’s truck was so old that it had special, antique license plates, just the opposite of ____
____________________________________________________________________________.
Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian
Name ___________________________________
Context Clues 1
Date ______________________
Directions: Use the context clues in each sentence to define the words in bold print.
Highlight the context clues that helped you to understand the meanings of the words.
1. The lead that Jim bought for his mechanical pencil was 0.5 millimeters, which are very
small units of length in the metric system.
a) Metric units of length used to measure small objects
b) A popular brand name of mechanical pencils
c) Erasable pencil lead that comes in a variety of colors
d) Too big
2.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Joanie loved all types of needlecrafts, including knitting, quilting, and sewing clothing.
Very easy crafts
Popular clothing that is made from a printed pattern
Crafts that are made using some type of needle
Easy crafts that do not involve any sewing
3. Radio, TV, the Internet, and newspapers can all reach huge audiences, and they are all
examples of mass media.
a) Media technologies for a large audience
b) Wireless media technologies
c) Technologies intended for individual use
d) Media that is broadcast on the airwaves
4. Mary was an extrovert, just the opposite of her older brother who was shy and quiet.
Extrovert means __________________________________________________________.
5. We headed for the basement when we felt the high winds and saw the funnel cloud
that told us a tornado was headed our way.
Tornado means __________________________________________________________.
Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian
Name ___________________________________
Context Clues 2
Date ______________________
Directions: Use the context clues in each sentence to define the words in bold print.
Highlight the context clues that helped you to understand the meanings of the words.
1. In the historic town, she walked on cobblestone streets, ancient streets paved with
rounded stones.
a) Narrow
b) Paved with stone
c) Busy
d) Made for horses and carriages
2. In science class, each team was responsible for their triple beam balance, which was
the instrument that they used to measure the mass of their objects.
a) A tool for measuring mass
b) A unit of length in the metric system
c) A small amount of weight
d) A collection of objects
3. Polygons include triangles, squares, hexagons, octagons, and other closed figures.
a) Closed figure with three or more straight sides
b) Four-sided figure
c) Three-dimensional closed figure with at least three sides
d) Figure with straight or curves sides
4. Please return all of the flatware, including the knives, forks, teaspoons, and serving
spoons, to the drawer.
a) Tableware including plates, knives, forks, and spoons
b) Utensils for serving and eating food
c) Utensils used for writing and drawing
I I am made of soap.
d) Decorative table accessories
I am round.
I can float.
5. Use the context clues
I reflect colors in the
in the riddle to figure out
sunlight.
the answer.
What am I?
_________________________
Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian
Name ___________________________________
Context Clues 3
Date ______________________
Directions:
Use the context clues in each sentence to define the words in bold print.
Highlight the context clues that helped you to understand the meanings of the words.
Then, tell which type of context clues each one is: explanation, examples, or contrast.
Jerry tried to memorize all eight parts of speech – nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs . . .
1. Parts of speech means –
a) Difficult words
b) The different kinds of words that make
up a language
c) Words that are especially hard to spell
d) Words with parts added to the
beginning or the end, or both
2. The type of context clue in this
sentence is –
a) Explanation
b) Examples
c) Contrast
One thing that Terry learned in civics class was that he was glad he lived in a democracy, a
country that had a government in which people could vote for their leaders.
3. Democracy means –
a) A country in which people vote
b) A country ruled by a king or queen
c) A fair country
d) A country in which people had many
opportunities
4. The type of context clue in this
sentence is –
a) Explanation
b) Examples
c) Contrast
Russ was good at math operations, such as multiplying or subtracting, but he still had difficulty
solving word problems.
5. In this sentence, operations means –
a) Procedures in a hospital
b) Word problems
c) Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and
dividing
d) Military maneuvers
Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian
6. The type of context clue in this
sentence is –
a) Explanation
b) Examples
c) Contrast
Name ______________________________
Review 1
Directions: Use context clues to choose the correct word to fill in the blank. Identify
the type of context clue, and then underline the context clues in the passage.
Belle collected _____. She had samples of many
different types including marble, quartz, slate, and even
coal.
The correct word to fill in the blank is:
a) insects
b) rocks
c) chemicals
d) tiles
Name ______________________________
This type of context clue is:
a) Explanation
b) Examples
c) Contrast
Review 2
Directions: Use context clues to choose the correct word to fill in the blank. Identify
the type of context clue, and then underline the context clues in the passage.
This time, Marco wanted a dirt bike that would go _____.
He had no interest in another slow one.
The correct word to fill in the blank is:
a) backwards
b) forwards
c) fast
d) slower
Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian
This type of context clue is:
a) Explanation
b) Examples
c) Contrast
Name ______________________________
Review 3
Directions: Use context clues to choose the correct word to fill in the blank. Identify
the type of context clue, and then underline the context clues in the passage.
Only one of Aaron’s _____ was cancelled today. He still
had to go to math, science, English, and PE.
The correct word to fill in the blank is:
a) text books
b) activities
c) classes
d) sports
Name ______________________________
This type of context clue is:
a) Explanation
b) Examples
c) Contrast
Review 4
Directions: Use context clues to choose the correct word to fill in the blank. Identify
the type of context clue, and then underline the context clues in the passage.
The instructions said to draw two _____ lines, lines
that are side by side and the same distance apart at all
points along the lines.
The correct word to fill in the blank is:
a) thin
b) parallel
c) green
d) perpendicular
Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian
This type of context clue is:
a) Explanation
b) Examples
c) Contrast
Name ______________________________
Review 5
Directions: Use context clues to choose the correct word to fill in the blank. Identify
the type of context clue, and then underline the context clues in the passage.
Sheila was late because she had made a wrong turn
and was traveling in the opposite direction from the way
she should have been going. She had taken the exit for
Route 66 _____ instead of Route 66 West.
The correct word to fill in the blank is:
a) North
b) South
c) East
d) West
Name ______________________________
This type of context clue is:
a) Explanation
b) Examples
c) Contrast
Review 6
Directions: Use context clues to choose the correct word to fill in the blank. Identify
the type of context clue, and then underline the context clues in the passage.
When he was studying poetry, Adam learned about
_____, figures of speech that compare two unlike things
by using the word like or the word as.
The correct word to fill in the blank is:
a) similes
b) rhyme
c) characterization
d) adjectives
Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian
This type of context clue is:
a) Explanation
b) Examples
c) Contrast
Answer Key
Context Clues – Explanations
1. Novels
2. Characters
3. Fantasy
Answers to 4-7 will vary. Possible answers are listed below.
4. Chocolate cake and yellow cake swirled together
5. Small hound dog
6. The branch of government that passes laws
7. A small extinct sea creature
Context Clues – Examples
1. literature
2. styles
3. competitive
Answers to 4-7 will vary. Possible answers are listed below.
4. spaghetti, ravioli, and baked ziti
5. snakes, lizards, and crocodiles
6. Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, and Sagittarius
7. including denim, silk, and jersey knit
Context Clues – Contrast
1. Divide
2. Negative
3. Metric
Answers to 4-7 will vary. Possible answers are listed below.
4. Print, or manuscript
5. Sad, miserable, etc.
6. Her brother completed his very slowly
7. Jake’s, which was brand new
Context Clues 1
1. A
2. C
Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian
3. A
4. An outgoing person
5. A violent storm with a funnel cloud
Context Clues 2
1. B
2. A
3. A
4. B
5. Soap bubbles
Context Clues 3
1. B
2. B
3. A
4. A
5. C
6. B
Quick Reviews
1. B, B
2. C, C
3. C, B
4. B, A
5. C, C
6. A, A
Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian
More Classroom Materials from Classroom in the Middle
PowerPoint Presentations
Worksheet Sets
Smartboard Activities
Question Card Sets
Task Card Sets
Topics Include:
The Writing Process
Figurative Language
Vocabulary
Using Context Clues
Multiple Meaning Words
Analogies
Story Starters
Puzzles
And more
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Copyright © 2012 Sharon Fabian