Common Core: 3rd Grade English Language Arts : Use Context to Find the Meaning of a Word or Phrase: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.4.A
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Common Core: 3rd Grade English Language Arts
All Common Core: 3rd Grade English Language Arts Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Use Context To Find The Meaning Of A Word Or Phrase: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.4.A
Use the sentences below to define "elegant".
The princess looked very elegant at the ball. She wore a beautiful black dress that fit her perfectly.
To look tired
To look hungry
To look very messy
To look very put together and stylish
To look very put together and stylish
The two sentences are describing the princess. In the second sentence we are told that she wore a beautiful black dress that fit her well. We can assume that this means she looked good; thus, the best answer choice is "To look very put together and stylish".
Example Question #1 : Meanings Of Words And Phrases: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.4
Sara struggled to finish her homework assignment on her own, so she asked her mom for help.
Based on the text, what does the word “struggled” mean?
to accomplish a goal
to excel
to have a hard time
to win
to have a hard time
To struggle is to have a hard time with something. Sara needed help with the homework assignment so this lets readers know she is not able to do this on her own.
Example Question #1 : Use Context To Find The Meaning Of A Word Or Phrase: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.4.A
Whenever Ben needs help making a decision, he goes to his dad for advice. After talking with his dad, Ben always knows what to do. Based on the text, what does the word “advice” mean?
a thoughtful process
An opinion offered to help make a decision
to obey all orders given
a tough decision to be made
An opinion offered to help make a decision
Advice is an opinion offered to help make a decision. The context clues in the sentence “help making a decision”, “talking”, and “knows what to do” point readers to the meaning of the word.
Example Question #182 : Common Core: 3rd Grade English Language Arts
Travis is in a very bad mood. He’s had a bad attitude all day.
Based on the text, what does the word “attitude” mean?
a positive feeling
a way of talking about something
a negative feeling
a way of feeling about something
a way of feeling about something
Attitude means a way of feeling about something or someone. This sentence describes the attitude that Travis has, bad. The sentence gives clues that attitude relates to mood.
Example Question #183 : Common Core: 3rd Grade English Language Arts
Gabe is very clever. Whenever the teacher asks him a question, he is quick to respond with the correct answer.
Based on the text, what does the word “clever” mean?
having an ability to make people smile
having a bright, sharp, quick mind
having a positive learning experience
having an ability to make people laugh
having a bright, sharp, quick mind
To be clever means to have a bright, sharp, and quick mind. Clever can mean to be smart. The context clues in the sentence “quick to respond with a correct answer” allude to the meaning of clever.
Example Question #1 : Meanings Of Words And Phrases: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.4
I was so tired on the way to school. I accidentally dozed off in the bus but woke up right when we arrived at school.
Based on the text, what does the word “dozed” mean?
to fall off of something
to trip and fall
to fall asleep for a short time
to run into something
to fall asleep for a short time
Dozed means to fall asleep for a short time. The context clues in this sentence that point to the meaning of dozed are “tired” and “woke up” meaning it has something to do with sleep. When thinking of the context of the sentence a bus ride isn’t long so as a reader we can infer this happens over a short time.
Example Question #2 : Meanings Of Words And Phrases: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.4
Justine was holding my hand tightly as we ran together, but as we started going uphill she lost her grasp.
Based on the text, what does the word “grasp” mean?
To carry
To hold onto something by hand
To exercise together
To be pushing something
To hold onto something by hand
Grasp means to hold on to something by hand. The context clue in this sentence that guides readers to the meaning of grasp is “holding hand tightly”.
Example Question #5 : Meanings Of Words And Phrases: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.4
Adley’s grandma loves to spoil her. Adley’s grandma always brings a new toy for Adley every time she visits.
Based on the text, what does the word “spoil” mean?
to be sad
to be appreciated
to be happy
to be given too much of something
to be given too much of something
To spoil means to be given too much of something. The context of this sentence tells us that Adley’s grandmother “brings a new toy every time she visits” which means she is receiving a gift at every visit which could be interpreted as too much.
Example Question #6 : Meanings Of Words And Phrases: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.4
Ben has never won a wrestling match when Brian has been his opponent. Ben hopes that he can beat Brian today, but he is nervous.
Based on the text, what does the word “opponent” mean?
Someone who lacks talent in a certain sport
Someone who plays on the same team
Someone who fights or plays against someone else
Some who is very talented in a certain sport
Someone who fights or plays against someone else
An opponent is someone who fights or plays against someone else. As readers, we understand from the context that this is a sporting match and they are facing each other.
Example Question #7 : Meanings Of Words And Phrases: Ccss.Ela Literacy.L.3.4
It rained overnight, so when Kate went outside the next morning there was moisture on the grass.
Based on the text, what does the word “moisture” mean?
to help in some way
to be dry
Liquid on a surface
to participate in
Liquid on a surface
Moisture is liquid on a surface. The clue “rained” in this sentence lets readers know that there was water/wetness the previous night which matches the correct answer choice including “liquid”.
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All Common Core: 3rd Grade English Language Arts Resources
