Grade 5 · English Language Arts · Unit 2 of 12
Context Clues
Crack the meaning of new words
What your child practises
Using the words around an unfamiliar word to figure out what it means, naming the type of clue, and choosing the right meaning of words like “bat” or “bank.”
Alberta Curriculum learning outcome: Apply knowledge of vocabulary to reading and writing. · using context to work out the meaning of new words
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
What does “nocturnal” mean in this sentence?
Owls are nocturnal animals; they sleep during the day and hunt at night.
- active in winter
- eating only plants
- living in water
- active at night
Show answer
active at night
Hint: The part after the semicolon explains when owls are awake.
Question 2
Which meaning of “train” is used in this sentence?
Kenji will train for the race all summer.
- a line of railway cars
- to practise to get better
- the long back of a gown
Show answer
to practise to get better
Hint: “train” has more than one meaning. Read the whole sentence, then try each meaning in its place.
Question 3
What does “spacious” mean in this sentence?
The new apartment was spacious, with plenty of room for a piano and two bookcases.
- having lots of room
- very crowded
- close to school
- very old
Show answer
having lots of room
Hint: Look at the words right after the comma: “plenty of room.”
Question 4
What does “scarce” mean in this sentence?
Water is scarce in the desert, so plants there store every drop they can.
- hard to find
- salty
- everywhere
- very cold
Show answer
hard to find
Hint: If plants must save every drop, is there a lot of water or only a little?
Question 5
What does “persistent” mean in this sentence?
Kenji was persistent. Even after his kite crashed six times, he kept trying until it flew.
- not giving up
- easily bored
- always late
- very careless
Show answer
not giving up
Hint: He kept trying after six crashes. What kind of person does that?
Question 6
What does “dilapidated” mean in this sentence?
The old barn was dilapidated: its roof sagged, its boards were rotting and its doors hung loose.
- falling apart
- freshly painted
- full of animals
- very large
Show answer
falling apart
Hint: The details after the colon describe the barn's condition.