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Ignition Learning — Activity Sheet

Working out word meanings

English · Year 7

Name: ______________________Date: ____________

When you meet a word you don't know, don't stop reading — look for context clues instead. Sometimes a definition or example sits right next to the word. Sometimes a contrast word like "but", "although" or "unlike" signals the unfamiliar word means something opposite to a nearby idea. And sometimes the general topic or mood of the sentence points you toward a sensible meaning, even without knowing the exact word.

Example

"Although her brother was gregarious, Mia was reserved and preferred quiet nights in." The contrast word "although" signals reserved is roughly the opposite of gregarious (outgoing) — so it likely means quiet or shy.

Key terms

Context clue:: A hint in the surrounding text that helps you work out a word's meaning.
Inference:: A reasonable guess made using clues and reasoning.

Questions

1. When you meet an unfamiliar word, a good first step is to:
- Stop reading completely
- Look for context clues nearby
- Skip the whole page
- Close the book
2. Context clues are found:
- In the surrounding sentence or paragraph
- Only in a dictionary
- Never in the text
- In a separate book
3. A word like "although" or "unlike" often signals:
- A contrast or opposite idea
- The end of the text
- A list
- A question
4. In "Although her brother was gregarious, Mia was reserved", "reserved" most likely means:
- Outgoing
- Quiet or shy
- Angry
- Loud
5. An inference is:
- A reasonable guess based on clues
- A random guess with no evidence
- A punctuation mark
- A book title
6. Context clues are most useful when you:
- Already know every word
- Meet an unfamiliar word
- Read a blank page
- Write your name
7. A definition placed right next to an unfamiliar word helps you:
- Understand its meaning directly
- Ignore the word
- Skip the sentence
- End the paragraph
8. "The exuberant crowd cheered and danced with joy." "Exuberant" most likely means:
- Extremely enthusiastic
- Very sad
- Bored
- Confused
9. "Unlike his taciturn father, Leo talked constantly." "Taciturn" most likely means:
- Talkative
- Quiet, saying little
- Angry
- Tired
10. If a sentence contrasts a word with "loud", the unfamiliar word likely means:
- Also loud
- The opposite of loud, like quiet
- A colour
- A number
11. "The ravenous hikers devoured their lunch instantly." "Ravenous" most likely means:
- Very hungry
- Full
- Tired
- Playful
12. An example given after an unfamiliar word (e.g. "such as...") helps you:
- Understand its meaning through examples
- Ignore the word
- Find a rhyme
- End the sentence
13. "The amateur painter's first attempt was clumsy and uneven." "Amateur" most likely means:
- Expert
- Inexperienced, beginner
- Professional
- Famous
14. If there's no clear context clue, a good next step is to:
- Look the word up in a dictionary
- Stop reading forever
- Assume it means nothing
- Delete the sentence
15. "Although the restaurant was highly rated, the meal was utterly bland." "Bland" most likely means:
- Very flavourful
- Lacking flavour or interest
- Expensive
- Colourful
16. "The theory, once considered dubious, was later confirmed by new evidence." "Dubious" most likely means:
- Very believable
- Doubtful or questionable
- Extremely detailed
- Well-funded
17. "Rather than yield to pressure, the determined captain held her ground." "Yield" most likely means:
- Celebrate
- Give in or surrender
- Ignore
- Delay
18. Which strategy is LEAST helpful for working out an unfamiliar word's meaning?
- Reading the surrounding sentences
- Looking for a nearby definition or example
- Guessing randomly with no evidence
- Considering the overall topic
19. "The fastidious chef inspected every plate before it left the kitchen." "Fastidious" most likely means:
- Careless
- Extremely careful and particular
- Fast but sloppy
- Uninterested
20. Context clues let you:
- Keep reading smoothly without stopping at every unfamiliar word
- Avoid ever learning new vocabulary
- Replace dictionaries forever
- Skip punctuation

Answer key (parent copy)

1. Look for context clues nearby
2. In the surrounding sentence or paragraph
3. A contrast or opposite idea
4. Quiet or shy
5. A reasonable guess based on clues
6. Meet an unfamiliar word
7. Understand its meaning directly
8. Extremely enthusiastic
9. Quiet, saying little
10. The opposite of loud, like quiet
11. Very hungry
12. Understand its meaning through examples
13. Inexperienced, beginner
14. Look the word up in a dictionary
15. Lacking flavour or interest
16. Doubtful or questionable
17. Give in or surrender
18. Guessing randomly with no evidence
19. Extremely careful and particular
20. Keep reading smoothly without stopping at every unfamiliar word