Inference Skills: Using Context Clues to Infer Word Meaning Quiz

  • 6th Grade
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| Questions: 20 | Updated: Jan 7, 2026
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1. The crowd was jubilant after the home team won the championship, cheering and throwing confetti into the air. What does jubilant most likely mean?

Explanation

The surrounding context (cheering, throwing confetti) strongly suggests a feeling of great happiness and triumph.

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About This Quiz
Inference Skills: Using Context Clues To Infer Word Meaning Quiz - Quiz

Strong readers use surrounding text to unlock meaning. In this context clues meaning quiz, you’ll practice inferring definitions using examples, contrasts, and descriptive hints. You’ll analyze how context shapes understanding and apply inference skills to unfamiliar words. Each question strengthens vocabulary development and reading comprehension through careful reasoning.

2. Question: The ancient map was so deteriorated that its markings were barely visible; time and moisture had ruined the paper. The word deteriorated means the map has been _______.

Explanation

The phrase 'time and moisture had ruined the paper' directly defines the meaning of deteriorated.

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3. In the sentence, 'The desert terrain was arid; even the cactus struggled to find water,' the word arid means wet and lush.

Explanation

This is false. The context ('even the cactus struggled to find water') suggests arid means extremely dry.

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4. Because the speaker was so eloquent, the audience remained completely captivated by his carefully chosen words. What does eloquent most likely mean?

Explanation

The context ('captivated by his carefully chosen words') suggests the speaker was fluent and persuasive.

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5. Based on the context, which options are close in meaning to the word placid in the sentence: 'Unlike the stormy sea, the lake was placid and still'? (Select all that apply)

Explanation

The context ('Unlike the stormy sea' and 'still') suggests the opposite of stormy, meaning calm, peaceful, and smooth.

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6. Question: The student had to abbreviate his long presentation, so he cut out all the extra details. The word abbreviate means to make something _______.

Explanation

The context ('cut out all the extra details') defines abbreviate as making something shorter.

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7. The scientist conducted a meticulous study, recording every tiny measurement to ensure accuracy. What does meticulous most likely mean?

Explanation

The context ('recording every tiny measurement to ensure accuracy') suggests the study was done with extreme attention to detail.

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8. In the sentence, 'The crowd watched the circus acrobat with awe; they had never seen such a feat,' the word awe means boredom.

Explanation

This is false. Seeing an unprecedented 'feat' would evoke wonder and amazement, not boredom.

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9. The sudden storm caused such commotion that people ran for cover, and things were knocked everywhere. What does commotion most likely mean?

Explanation

The context ('ran for cover' and 'things were knocked everywhere') suggests a noisy disturbance or confusion.

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10. Based on the context, which options are close in meaning to the word resilient in the sentence: 'Even after falling, the toddler was so resilient that he immediately stood up and tried again'? (Select all that apply)

Explanation

The context ('immediately stood up and tried again') suggests the toddler was determined and quick to recover.

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11. Question: Because the speaker was so verbose, the audience quickly lost interest in his incredibly long-winded speech. The word verbose means using too many _______.

Explanation

The context ('incredibly long-winded speech') defines verbose as using too many words.

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12. The artist was considered a prodigy because he could create detailed sculptures at the young age of eight. What does prodigy most likely mean?

Explanation

The context ('could create detailed sculptures at the young age of eight') suggests a young person with exceptional talent.

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13. In the sentence, 'The ancient castle was vast, covering many acres of land and towering over the town,' the word vast means small.

Explanation

This is false. The context ('covering many acres of land and towering over the town') suggests vast means huge or very large.

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14. The team felt a huge sense of disdain for the opposing players, refusing to even shake their hands after the game. What does disdain most likely mean?

Explanation

The context ('refusing to even shake their hands') strongly suggests a feeling of intense dislike or contempt.

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15. Based on the context, which words are close in meaning to serene in the sentence: 'The mountainside offered a serene view, perfect for meditation and quiet thought'? (Select all that apply)

Explanation

The context ('perfect for meditation and quiet thought') suggests a peaceful state, meaning tranquil and unruffled.

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16. Question: The old house was almost derelict; it was abandoned and quickly falling apart. The word derelict means the house was left _______.

Explanation

The context ('it was abandoned and quickly falling apart') defines derelict as being left abandoned.

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17. Her favorite music was eclectic, ranging from classical opera to modern electronic dance music. What does eclectic most likely mean?

Explanation

The context ('ranging from classical opera to modern electronic dance music') suggests the music was made up of many different styles.

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18. In the sentence, 'The committee's budget was austere, allowing only the most basic, necessary expenses,' the word austere means lavish and expensive.

Explanation

This is false. The context ('allowing only the most basic, necessary expenses') suggests austere means strict, severe, or very plain.

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19. The long drought caused a calamity for the farmers, resulting in the loss of nearly all their crops. What does calamity most likely mean?

Explanation

The context ('resulting in the loss of nearly all their crops') suggests a great misfortune or disaster.

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20. Based on the context, which words are close in meaning to prudent in the sentence: 'It was prudent of her to save money for an emergency, rather than spending it all at once'? (Select all that apply)

Explanation

The context ('save money for an emergency') suggests the action was wise, sensible, and cautious.

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The crowd was jubilant after the home team won the championship,...
Question: The ancient map was so deteriorated that its markings were...
In the sentence, 'The desert terrain was arid; even the cactus...
Because the speaker was so eloquent, the audience remained completely...
Based on the context, which options are close in meaning to the word...
Question: The student had to abbreviate his long presentation, so he...
The scientist conducted a meticulous study, recording every tiny...
In the sentence, 'The crowd watched the circus acrobat with awe; they...
The sudden storm caused such commotion that people ran for cover, and...
Based on the context, which options are close in meaning to the word...
Question: Because the speaker was so verbose, the audience quickly...
The artist was considered a prodigy because he could create detailed...
In the sentence, 'The ancient castle was vast, covering many acres of...
The team felt a huge sense of disdain for the opposing players,...
Based on the context, which words are close in meaning to serene in...
Question: The old house was almost derelict; it was abandoned and...
Her favorite music was eclectic, ranging from classical opera to...
In the sentence, 'The committee's budget was austere, allowing only...
The long drought caused a calamity for the farmers, resulting in the...
Based on the context, which words are close in meaning to prudent in...
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