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Context Clues Worksheets
When you encounter a vocabulary word with which you are unfamiliar, what do you do? Use the context clues to determine the word's meaning. In addition to the great context clues worksheets on this page, check out this free context clues game that I made. Students learn hundreds of challenging vocabulary words while playing a fun climbing game.
I used the context clues worksheets on this page to help my students in the classroom. I am sharing them with you in the hopes that they will help you as well. The words have been selected from texts recommended by Common Core. These context clues worksheets have been divided into three levels:
Context Clues Worksheets by Level
Level One
These are the easiest context clues worksheets. These worksheets were designed to help struggling students or students in lower grades. They were written to help students reading at a 3rd to 6th grade reading level. Be sure to preview all materials before using them in your classroom.
Context Clues Worksheet 1.1
This level one context clues worksheet covers 12 words that may be challenging for beginning readers. Students determine each words meaning based on context and then explain their answers.
Context Clues Worksheet 1.2
This level one context clues worksheet features twelve more context clues problems for students with beginning reading skills.
Context Clues Worksheet 1.3
Here are twelve more level one vocabulary words used in context rich sentences. Students will determine the meaning of the word based on its use and explain their answers.
Context Clues Worksheet 1.4
Here is another double-sided context clues worksheet. This one has twelve more level one vocabulary words. Remember, level one is the easiest. Check out level 2 or 3 if this worksheet is too easy.
Context Clues Worksheet 1.5
Here's another double-sided worksheet to give your students more practice with context clues. It features twelve level one vocabulary words. Students define the word based on how it was used in a sentence and then explain their answers.
Context Clues Worksheet 1.6
Here is yet another context clues worksheet to help students master this essential reading skills. This worksheet has 12 level one vocabulary words. Students will determine the meaning of the bolded word in each sentence based on context. Then they will explain their answers.
Context Clues Worksheet 1.7
This is the seventh level-one context clues worksheet. If you or your students can handle this task, perhaps it's time to move to level two. This worksheet features another 12 vocabulary words. Students read the sentences and figure out what the bold word means based on context. Then they explain their answers.
Level Two
These worksheets were designed for students with intermediate reading and vocabulary skills. They are written for students reading at a 5th to 8th grade reading level.
Context Clues Worksheet 2.1
Here's the first level two content clues worksheet. Level 2 worksheets contain vocabulary and use sentence structures that are more difficult than level 1 context clues worksheets. This worksheet features 12 tricky vocabulary words used in context-rich sentences. Students figure out the meaning of each word based on use, then they explain their answers.
Context Clues Worksheet 2.2
Here are twelve more moderately difficult problems. Students read each sentence and determine the meaning of the bold vocabulary words by using cross sentence clues.
Context Clues Worksheet 2.3
Here is another level-two context clues worksheet. It contains twelve problems with context rich sentences. Students use the cross sentence clues to determine the meaning of the bolded word and explain their answers.
Context Clues Worksheet 2.4
Here is another double-sided context clues worksheet. This one has twelve more level one vocabulary words. Remember, level one is the easiest. Check out level 2 or 3 if this worksheet is too easy.
Context Clues Worksheet 2.5
Here is another level-two context clues worksheet. It has twelve problems to help you or your students master this essential reading skill. Read the problems. Figure out what the bold vocabulary word means based on the context of the sentence and then explain.
Context Clues Worksheet 2.6
This is the sixth context clues worksheet in level two. As with the other context clues worksheets, it is double-sided and contains twelve problems. Students will determine the meaning of the bolded word in each sentence based on context. Then they will explain their answers.
Context Clues Worksheet 2.7
Here is the final level-two context clues worksheet. If you or your students can complete this one, perhaps it is time to move to level three. This worksheet is double-sided and contains twelve problems.Students read the sentences and figure out what the bold word means based on context. Then they explain their answers.
Level Three
These are the most difficult context clues worksheets. These were designed for students with advance reading and vocabulary skills. These worksheets may be appropriate for students reading at an 8th to 12th grade level.
Context Clues Worksheet 3.1
Here's the first level-three content clues worksheet. This worksheet features twelve challenging problems where students figure out the bold word's meaning based on the context of the sentence. Students also demonstrate higher order thinking skills by explaining their answers.
Context Clues Worksheet 3.2
Here's another level-three content clues worksheet. This worksheet features twelve more challenging problems where students use cross-sentence clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary words. Then they explain their answers.
Context Clues Worksheet 3.3
Here is yet another level three context clues worksheet. It has 12 challenging vocabulary words in context rich sentences. Students will determine the meaning of bold vocabulary words based on the context of each sentence. Then they will explain their answers.
Context Clues Worksheet 3.4
Here is still another level-three context clues worksheet. Level-three vocabulary sheets are the most challenging. This worksheet features 12 more challenging vocabulary words used in context-rich sentences. Students will identify the meaning of the bolded vocabulary word based on the cross sentence clues and explain their answers.
Context Clues Worksheet 3.5
Just in case you didn't have enough practice with context clues, here is another double-sided worksheet. There are some real head scratchers on this one, but the context rich sentences will help you determine the meanings of the bolded words.
Context Clues Worksheet 3.6
Here's the first level-three content clues worksheet. This worksheet features twelve challenging problems where students figure out the bold word's meaning based on the context of the sentence. Students also demonstrate higher order thinking skills by explaining their answers.
Context Clues Worksheet 3.7
This is the seventh level-three context clues worksheet. Students who correctly complete this have mastered the skill of using context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary words. You should probably start assigning them some other reading work. This worksheet has twelve challenging problems. Students figure out the bold word's meaning based on the context of the sentence. They also explain their answers.
What are Context Clues?
Context clues are hints in the sentence that help good readers figure out the meanings of unfamiliar words. When we look at the "context" of a word, we look at how it is being used. Based on how these words are used, and on our knowledge of the other words in the sentence, we make an educated prediction as to what the challenging vocabulary word may mean.
Example of Using Context Clues
Examine these lines from Lewis Carroll's poem, "Jabberwocky":
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!
The frumious Bandersnatch!
Jubjub, frumious, and Bandersnatch were NOT words before Carroll coined them. Yet readers are able to get meaning from them based on how the words are used. A reading of the whole poem is helpful way to introduce context clues to your students.
Free Context Clues Video Game
Context Clues Climber: Vocabulary Video Game
Are your students sick of vocabulary worksheets? Have them try this fun, high-interest computer game. Students climb to the tops of levels and answer over 500 vocabulary questions. They will be having so much fun, they won't even realize that they are studying vocabulary. Try it now!
Context Clues
Common Core State Standards
Context Clues Anchor Standards
R.4 - Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.RI.K.4 - With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text.
RI.1.4 - Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a text.
RI.2.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or subject area.
RI.3.4 - Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 3 topic or subject area.
RI.4.4 - Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area.
RI.5.4 - Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 5 topic or subject area.
RI.6.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings.
RI.7.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
RI.8.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
RI.9-10.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text,including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language of a court opinion differs from that of a newspaper).
RI.11-12.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key term or terms over the course of a text (e.g., how Madison defines faction in Federalist No. 10).
Click to VIEW Grade Level Standards for R.4
L.4 - Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases by using context clues, analyzing meaningful word parts, and consulting general and specialized reference materials, as appropriate.
L.K.4 - Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on kindergarten reading and content.
L.1.4a - Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
L.2.4a - Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
L.3.4 - Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning word and phrases based on grade 3 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L.4.4a - Use context (e.g., definitions, examples, or restatements in text) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
L.5.4 - Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies
L.6.4a - Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word's position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
L.7.4 - Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L.8.4 - Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words or phrases based on grade 8 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L.9-10.4a - Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence, paragraph, or text; a word's position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
L.11-12.4 - Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 11–12 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L.K.4 - Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on kindergarten reading and content.
L.1.4a - Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
L.2.4a - Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
L.3.4 - Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning word and phrases based on grade 3 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L.4.4a - Use context (e.g., definitions, examples, or restatements in text) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
L.5.4 - Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies
L.6.4a - Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word's position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
L.7.4 - Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L.8.4 - Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words or phrases based on grade 8 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L.9-10.4a - Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence, paragraph, or text; a word's position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
L.11-12.4 - Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 11–12 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
Click to VIEW Grade Level Standards for L.4
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Unknown
/ June 10, 2022Thank you so much this helped me to practice for my literacy exam .. you are a real life saviour
ANGELITA MENDIGORIN AQUINO
/ February 1, 2022thank you very much… God bless !
Cecilia Tong
/ January 31, 2022Hi. Thank you so much for your eReading worksheets. My son is trying to improve his English and here in Asia there are not so many opportunities nor workbooks in the bookshops. Thank you
Lorena
/ November 6, 2020Hi, my son is learning about contex clues now (6th grade), he is working in the worksheets 2.1. Could you please explain what type of contex clue have each sentence.
Thanks for your help.
Mr. Morton
/ December 7, 2020Hello. Maybe look at the answer key? I believe it has explanations. Best wishes!
Weena
/ September 27, 2020Thank you for worksheet.
Amy Cook
/ May 5, 2020How does the context clues climber game work? I can’t see any instructions or anything obvious to click to get it started
Mr. Morton
/ May 5, 2020Hey, the kids just start playing.
They use the arrow keys and space bar.
If they are on touch screen devices, buttons appear.
They can climb on walls and ceilings.
It’s a lot of fun.
When they hit an enemy or obstacle,
they must answer a context clues question correctly or DIE!!!
Of course, they can always start the level over again.
Best wishes!
Tina
/ March 27, 2020So awesome. Thank you!!!
Heidi
/ February 23, 2020Hi there, I’m teaching as a student missionary in Kosrae, Micronesia. We have VERY limited resources, and your site has been a lifesaver this year. Thank you!
Miral Elbanna
/ February 4, 2020Thanks a million for the sheets, they are of great help to my son at school
Carolina Ramos
/ August 14, 2019Thanks a million for the worksheets. My EFL Ss and I appreciate it!
Eugenia Chrisovitsianou
/ April 19, 2019I cannot really express how thankful I am for these context clues worksheets.
I teach EFL students in Greece and your work inspired me to make some similar workheets for my students , from Intermediate to Advanced level, besides using yours. Thank you very much
Daeng
/ December 14, 2017Thank you for these worksheets, what an excellent site for resources. I appreciate the most.I will keep coming back too, Thanks again.
Ma2678i78sh34a90
/ January 24, 2017Your examples have helped me SOO much! But I suggest you to use a set of words that are elated to a topic. For example, the Revolutionary War, mathematicians, biodiversity, etc.
Amohr
/ January 21, 2017Thank you for making these worksheets. It is definitely very helpful for my struggling students.
Barbecued Beans
/ January 7, 2017Hey, I think you made a mistake on one of the worksheets. You wrote down “would a breeze” I think it is supposed to be “would be a breeze”.
Jhorl
/ December 2, 2016This helps a lot. Thanks. 🙂
Barbecued Beans
/ November 5, 2016Hey,the worksheets are not working at all. It would be great if you can fix it ASAP
Mr. Morton
/ March 22, 2017What’s not working?
Rosie
/ September 6, 2016Thank you for the great material!!!
arizah costanza abrenica
/ September 6, 2016Can you give a example of context clues as a apposition and analysis
Mr. Morton
/ September 10, 2016Hmm… I’m not quiet sure what that is. Can you give me an example?
karen sparks
/ April 28, 2016Love these, but I have a question–what is “garbage pizza”? I told the students I thought it was a typo for garden. I’m referring to the sheet with the word “detest.”
Thanks for these! Terrific resources!
Mr. Morton
/ May 5, 2016That’s a great question. “Garbage pizza” is an idiomatic metaphor that is used in Chicago, and perhaps other places as well. It means pizza that has all of the available toppings on it.
Cat
/ May 6, 2016Thank you for the clarification! LOL I thought that was what it was. 🙂
carol
/ September 9, 2016I think it is a pizza that has everything on it
Marty M.
/ April 4, 2016My students love your context clues worksheets, and so do I. Thank you so much for creating them. They rock!
kim sama
/ March 15, 2016thank it will help me for my exam i am really thankful god bless
Hoangthu Le
/ March 4, 2016Thank you so much for sharing such precious materials useful for my teaching in reading lessons. I really appreciate it. Thanks again!
Mr. Morton
/ March 15, 2016You are most welcome. Thank you for visiting!
Maureen
/ March 4, 2016Great Resource! Thank you!
Danielle
/ March 1, 2016I love the variety that your site offers. I run a remedial 8th grade program and you have worksheets for almost every standard for my students. Your site is an awesome resource for teachers!!
Mr. Morton
/ March 15, 2016I’m so happy to hear it. Thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment.
Kevin Edmunds
/ January 18, 2016Great resources. Your choices of vocab are well-made and varied. Great for South Africa where our pupils exposure to good English is very limited.
Mr. Morton
/ January 19, 2016That means a lot to me. Thank you for saying so.
Wendy
/ October 2, 2015Love you Mr. Morton 🙂
jennifer
/ September 25, 2015the 1.3 answers aren’t working this morning… 🙁
Mr. Morton
/ October 1, 2015In what way are they not working? What do you see when you click the link?
Lisa Kwan
/ June 2, 2015These are SO helpful! I was at a loss in figuring out how to teach reading skills, and these are just wonderful! Thank you 😀
AB
/ April 23, 2015Great information especially the context work sheets.
Works well on a HS level too.
jeffery
/ April 21, 2015very good resorces
Barbara
/ February 27, 2015I love, love, love this site. Everything Reading and Language Arts is right here! Would love to see more on symbolism in literature for 4-7th grade. But all in all, oh the hours saved!
Mr. Morton
/ March 2, 2015Thank you. Maybe this summer. Best wishes!
Zohura
/ February 12, 2015Thanks for sharing this excellent resources. It is very helpful for my kids. God bless you…
Roxanne
/ January 21, 2015Thank you so much for all of your hard work. This is my first year teaching ELA and your site has been a God send. You will never know how much you have helped me to reach my students. Thanks again!!!
Mr. Morton
/ January 24, 2015I’m so happy to hear it. Thanks for letting me know.
Donna Hawkins
/ January 6, 2015Thanks! What an excellent resource. I will certainly share this with the department.
cici kaesi
/ December 19, 2014Thank you!!
T. Favors
/ November 5, 2014Thanks for the large amount of practice!! It really helped my students with this practice.
Mrs. Lott
/ October 1, 2014Thank you!! It is rare to find worksheets for free these days that fit the common core and are useful.
Mr. Morton
/ October 6, 2014I’m working hard to create new materials specifically designed to meet Common Core grade level standards. It’s a big task, but I should have some progress posted by the new year. Thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment.
Chris Butner
/ July 21, 2014Seriously, this site is the gift that keeps on giving. I love incorporating your materials as springboards for my lessons. Thanks!
Mr. Morton
/ July 21, 2014I’m so happy to hear that.
I’m going to add 15 context clues worksheets to this page over the next week.
Best wishes and come back soon.
Calvin Golson
/ April 30, 2014Thank you for all of the awesome content!!!! You Rock.
Tammy
/ March 25, 2014You are an absolute savior! Your worksheets help my students with learning disabilities very much. I love how the materials are designed according to reading levels. Thanks so much! I am sharing your site to my teacher friends and they love it too!
Mr. Morton
/ April 21, 2014I love hearing stuff like this, Tammy.
It inspires me to continue.
Best wishes,
you’re doing good work.
agusalim
/ November 29, 2013It is great to develop my students’ vocabulary. Thanks a lot.
allura
/ October 16, 2013Thanks! This was super helpful for my students
Mike
/ September 18, 2013Are all these worksheets on your site geared towards a specific grade level? For example, the Text Structure worksheet?? This site is pretty cool. Will make my life a lot easier considering I am teaching a 4/5 combo class this year.
Mr. Morton
/ September 28, 2013I’ve used these materials with my 7th and 8th grade students in the West Side of Chicago. I’ve learned that standards of what is appropriate and what is not vary greatly by region. Read all materials carefully before giving them to younger children and modify them as necessary. Best wishes!
Shyam Sunder Rajaram
/ September 5, 2013Great stuff! Invaluable, indeed.
Katrina Summers
/ August 10, 2013I loved the worksheets. They will be great to use for modeling, guided practice, independent practice, and assessment! Thanks so much!
Jeanette
/ August 1, 2013Thank you for these worksheets! They have really helped me in brushing up on my skills before a test!
Hector A
/ July 16, 2013Thank you, what an excellent site for resources. Simply amazing. Highly beneficial to any student and a big help for Instructors.
–Thanks!
H.
Yolanda
/ April 12, 2013Thank you for the worksheets! They have come in handy helping my students master using context clues. It has taken some of the work off of my hands, that I appreciate the most! Keep adding and I will keep coming back!
Mr. Morton
/ May 1, 2013I intend to add new content for the next school year. Come back again!
Sarah
/ April 9, 2013Thanks for these worksheets. They’re great!