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Context Clues Worksheet (Grade 8)

Free printable Grade 8 context clues worksheet. Students use restatement, contrast, and example clues to work out the meaning of grade-level academic vocabulary. Answer key included.

Grade 8 · Vocabulary worksheet
Name
Date
Vocabulary

Context Clues

Writers often restate, contrast, or give examples of a hard word inside the sentence. Find the clue, then choose the meaning it supports.

  1. 1.
    Use the context to choose the meaning of 'indifferent': He was indifferent to the score, shrugging whether his team won or lost.
    • a) not caring either way
    • b) deeply concerned
  2. 2.
    Use the context to choose the meaning of 'tenacious': The tenacious reporter kept asking questions for months until the truth came out.
    • a) refusing to give up
    • b) quick to quit
  3. 3.
    Use the context to choose the meaning of 'plausible': Her excuse was plausible: buses on that route really are often late.
    • a) impossible to believe
    • b) believable
  4. 4.
    Use the context to choose the meaning of 'ambiguous': The note's ambiguous wording could mean the meeting was moved to Tuesday or cancelled altogether.
    • a) perfectly clear
    • b) open to more than one meaning
  5. 5.
    Use the context to choose the meaning of 'exacerbate': Scratching will only exacerbate the rash, making it redder and itchier.
    • a) make worse
    • b) heal
  6. 6.
    Use the context to choose the meaning of 'eloquent': Her eloquent speech moved the audience with its graceful, well-chosen words.
    • a) fluent and expressive
    • b) clumsy and unclear
  7. 7.
    Use the context to choose the meaning of 'meticulous': A meticulous editor, Priya checked every comma and footnote twice.
    • a) extremely careful about details
    • b) careless
  8. 8.
    Use the context to choose the meaning of 'transient': Fame proved transient; within a year, hardly anyone remembered the song.
    • a) lasting only a short time
    • b) permanent
  9. 9.
    Use the context to choose the meaning of 'scrutinize': Border officers scrutinize each passport, examining every stamp and seal.
    • a) glance at carelessly
    • b) inspect closely
  10. 10.
    Use the context to choose the meaning of 'arduous': The arduous trek up the pass took nine exhausting hours in thin mountain air.
    • a) quick and easy
    • b) very difficult and tiring
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