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Grade 7 Context Clues Worksheet with Answers

Grade 7 (US) · Year 8 (UK) · Class 7 (India) · English

Unit 3: VocabularyContext Clues & RootsCCSS L.7.4a

Working out the meaning of unknown words from the words around them. This free middle school worksheet has 12 questions and a full answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF — every answer is checked by code, not guessed.

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Context Clues

Grade 7 · English

Score___ / 12

Name

Class

Date

Learning goal: Context Clues & Roots · CCSS L.7.4a

Directions: This worksheet has 2 parts. Read the instructions at the start of each part.

Example

Use context: 'She was elated when she won — she jumped for joy.' What does 'elated' mean?

Answer: very happy

RememberContext clue types

Definitionthe meaning is given“…arid, or very dry…”Synonyma word that means the sameAntonyman opposite: unlike, butExamplesuch as, for example
Part A

Use the clues in each sentence to work out what the underlined word means.

  1. 1

    I was famished, so I ate two sandwiches.

  2. 2

    The scientist was meticulous, checking every number three times.

  3. 3

    The once-thriving town became desolate after the mine closed.

  4. 4

    The desert is arid; it hardly ever rains there.

  5. 5

    Unlike his talkative sister, Ben was reticent.

  6. 6

    The instructions were ambiguous, so half the class did the wrong page.

  7. 7

    He was so lethargic after the flu that he slept all day.

  8. 8

    He gave a terse reply — just one word — and walked away.

  9. 9

    The puppy was so tiny, it fit in my palm.

  10. 10

    The diplomat tried to mitigate the conflict by calming both sides.

Part B

Answer each question. Use full sentences where you can.

  1. 11

    Which kind of context clue is used? 'Unlike the timid kitten, the puppy was bold.'

  2. 12

    Which kind of context clue is used? 'A biome, or large natural community, covers a big area.'

★ Challenge corner for fast finishers

Unscramble the letters: SKENA (clue: it slithers)

How did I do?

Teacher's comments

Free printable worksheets with answer keys · aethelsystems.com/worksheets/english/7/context_clues

Answer key (click to show)
  1. 1.very hungry
  2. 2.very careful about details
  3. 3.empty and lifeless
  4. 4.very dry
  5. 5.quiet / not saying much
  6. 6.unclear / having more than one meaning
  7. 7.tired / sluggish
  8. 8.short and abrupt
  9. 9.very small
  10. 10.make less severe
  11. 11.antonym / contrast clue
  12. 12.definition / restatement clue
  13. ★snake (challenge corner)

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How to use this worksheet

  • Works well as a bell-ringer, exit ticket, homework set or quick quiz.
  • Have students self-check with the answer key, then correct their own mistakes before you review.
  • Generate a new version of the same topic for a re-test, so students can't just memorise the answers.

Related worksheets

Context Clues at other grades

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More Grade 7 English worksheets

Grade 7 Greek & Latin RootsGrade 7 Figurative LanguageGrade 7 Idioms & ExpressionsGrade 7 AnalogiesGrade 7 SynonymsGrade 7 AntonymsGrade 7 Synonyms & Antonyms (Mixed)Grade 7 Shades of Meaning & Connotation

Guides for teaching Context Clues

Context Clues: 5 Types with Examples (and How to Teach Them)Definition, synonym, antonym, example and inference clues — how readers work out unknown words without a dictionary, with sample sentences and a classroom routine.7 Reading Comprehension Strategies Every Student Should UsePredict, question, visualize, summarize and more — what good readers do automatically, and how to practise each one.Simple, Compound, Complex and Compound-Complex Sentences ExplainedA clear way to tell the four sentence structures apart, with examples and the two-question test students can use on any sentence.

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