Context Clue Inference - SSAT Middle Level: Reading
Card 1 of 25
Which option best defines “diminish” in: “As the storm passed, the wind began to diminish”?
Which option best defines “diminish” in: “As the storm passed, the wind began to diminish”?
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Decrease. The context of the storm passing implies reduction, using a cause-and-effect clue for inference.
Decrease. The context of the storm passing implies reduction, using a cause-and-effect clue for inference.
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What is the main goal of using surrounding context clues for an unfamiliar word?
What is the main goal of using surrounding context clues for an unfamiliar word?
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Infer the word’s meaning from nearby words and sentences. Context clues enable readers to deduce unfamiliar words' meanings by analyzing adjacent text for hints like definitions or examples.
Infer the word’s meaning from nearby words and sentences. Context clues enable readers to deduce unfamiliar words' meanings by analyzing adjacent text for hints like definitions or examples.
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Which context clue type gives a meaning directly, often set off by commas or parentheses?
Which context clue type gives a meaning directly, often set off by commas or parentheses?
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Definition or restatement clue. This clue type explicitly provides the word's meaning through synonyms or explanations, often separated by punctuation for clarity.
Definition or restatement clue. This clue type explicitly provides the word's meaning through synonyms or explanations, often separated by punctuation for clarity.
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Which context clue type uses “like,” “as,” or “similar to” to suggest a word’s meaning?
Which context clue type uses “like,” “as,” or “similar to” to suggest a word’s meaning?
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Comparison clue. It draws parallels between the unknown word and familiar concepts using comparative language to imply similarity in meaning.
Comparison clue. It draws parallels between the unknown word and familiar concepts using comparative language to imply similarity in meaning.
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Which context clue type uses “but,” “however,” or “instead” to signal an opposite meaning?
Which context clue type uses “but,” “however,” or “instead” to signal an opposite meaning?
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Contrast clue. Contrast clues highlight differences with transitional words, allowing inference of the word's meaning as the opposite of a known idea.
Contrast clue. Contrast clues highlight differences with transitional words, allowing inference of the word's meaning as the opposite of a known idea.
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Which context clue type explains meaning by giving a list of examples?
Which context clue type explains meaning by giving a list of examples?
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Example clue. Examples illustrate the word's meaning by listing specific instances that embody its characteristics, aiding in comprehension.
Example clue. Examples illustrate the word's meaning by listing specific instances that embody its characteristics, aiding in comprehension.
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Which option best defines “tedious” in: “The task was tedious, long and boring”?
Which option best defines “tedious” in: “The task was tedious, long and boring”?
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Boring. The descriptors 'long and boring' act as definition clues to explain the tedious nature.
Boring. The descriptors 'long and boring' act as definition clues to explain the tedious nature.
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Which context clue type shows what happens because of the word, revealing its meaning?
Which context clue type shows what happens because of the word, revealing its meaning?
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Cause-and-effect clue. This clue reveals meaning by describing outcomes or results linked to the word, showing causal relationships in the sentence.
Cause-and-effect clue. This clue reveals meaning by describing outcomes or results linked to the word, showing causal relationships in the sentence.
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Which option best defines “placid” in: “The placid lake was calm and still at dawn”?
Which option best defines “placid” in: “The placid lake was calm and still at dawn”?
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Calm. The sentence uses synonyms 'calm and still' as a definition clue to directly explain the unfamiliar word's meaning.
Calm. The sentence uses synonyms 'calm and still' as a definition clue to directly explain the unfamiliar word's meaning.
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Which option best defines “abundant” in: “Food was abundant; there was more than enough for all”?
Which option best defines “abundant” in: “Food was abundant; there was more than enough for all”?
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Plentiful. The clause 'there was more than enough for all' restates the meaning through an explanatory example clue.
Plentiful. The clause 'there was more than enough for all' restates the meaning through an explanatory example clue.
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Which option best defines “reluctant” in: “He was reluctant, but he finally agreed to go”?
Which option best defines “reluctant” in: “He was reluctant, but he finally agreed to go”?
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Unwilling. The contrast with 'but he finally agreed' signals opposition, using a contrast clue to imply hesitation.
Unwilling. The contrast with 'but he finally agreed' signals opposition, using a contrast clue to imply hesitation.
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Which option best defines “meticulous” in: “She checked every detail carefully, being meticulous”?
Which option best defines “meticulous” in: “She checked every detail carefully, being meticulous”?
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Very careful. The phrase 'checked every detail carefully' provides a definition clue by restating the word's essence.
Very careful. The phrase 'checked every detail carefully' provides a definition clue by restating the word's essence.
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Which option best defines “obscure” in: “The directions were obscure, so we could not follow them”?
Which option best defines “obscure” in: “The directions were obscure, so we could not follow them”?
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Unclear. The result 'so we could not follow them' acts as a cause-and-effect clue indicating lack of clarity.
Unclear. The result 'so we could not follow them' acts as a cause-and-effect clue indicating lack of clarity.
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Which option best defines “vigor” in: “He ran with vigor, showing energy and strength”?
Which option best defines “vigor” in: “He ran with vigor, showing energy and strength”?
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Energy. The explanatory phrase 'showing energy and strength' serves as a definition clue to clarify the term.
Energy. The explanatory phrase 'showing energy and strength' serves as a definition clue to clarify the term.
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Which option best defines “frigid” in: “The frigid air was freezing, and our fingers went numb”?
Which option best defines “frigid” in: “The frigid air was freezing, and our fingers went numb”?
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Very cold. The descriptions 'freezing' and 'fingers went numb' provide example clues illustrating intense coldness.
Very cold. The descriptions 'freezing' and 'fingers went numb' provide example clues illustrating intense coldness.
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Which option best defines “elated” in: “She was elated after the win, smiling for hours”?
Which option best defines “elated” in: “She was elated after the win, smiling for hours”?
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Extremely happy. The effect 'smiling for hours' after winning uses a cause-and-effect clue to convey intense joy.
Extremely happy. The effect 'smiling for hours' after winning uses a cause-and-effect clue to convey intense joy.
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Which option best defines “candid” in: “He gave a candid answer, honest and direct”?
Which option best defines “candid” in: “He gave a candid answer, honest and direct”?
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Honest. The appositive 'honest and direct' functions as a definition clue to explicitly define the word.
Honest. The appositive 'honest and direct' functions as a definition clue to explicitly define the word.
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Which option best defines “gregarious” in: “Unlike his quiet sister, he was gregarious and sociable”?
Which option best defines “gregarious” in: “Unlike his quiet sister, he was gregarious and sociable”?
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Sociable. The contrast with 'quiet sister' and synonym 'sociable' uses contrast and definition clues for meaning.
Sociable. The contrast with 'quiet sister' and synonym 'sociable' uses contrast and definition clues for meaning.
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Which option best defines “scarce” in: “Water was scarce; there was hardly any left”?
Which option best defines “scarce” in: “Water was scarce; there was hardly any left”?
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In short supply. The explanation 'there was hardly any left' restates scarcity through a definition clue.
In short supply. The explanation 'there was hardly any left' restates scarcity through a definition clue.
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Which option best defines “conspicuous” in: “Her red coat was conspicuous; everyone noticed it”?
Which option best defines “conspicuous” in: “Her red coat was conspicuous; everyone noticed it”?
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Easily seen. The result 'everyone noticed it' serves as a cause-and-effect clue highlighting visibility.
Easily seen. The result 'everyone noticed it' serves as a cause-and-effect clue highlighting visibility.
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Which option best defines “peril” in: “They were in peril, facing serious danger on the cliff”?
Which option best defines “peril” in: “They were in peril, facing serious danger on the cliff”?
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Danger. The phrase 'facing serious danger' provides a definition clue by restating the word's meaning.
Danger. The phrase 'facing serious danger' provides a definition clue by restating the word's meaning.
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Which option best defines “appease” in: “To appease the baby, she soothed him until he calmed down”?
Which option best defines “appease” in: “To appease the baby, she soothed him until he calmed down”?
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Calm or satisfy. The action 'soothed him until he calmed down' uses an example clue to illustrate pacification.
Calm or satisfy. The action 'soothed him until he calmed down' uses an example clue to illustrate pacification.
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Which option best defines “ambiguous” in: “His message was ambiguous, so it had more than one meaning”?
Which option best defines “ambiguous” in: “His message was ambiguous, so it had more than one meaning”?
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Unclear; having multiple meanings. The explanation 'so it had more than one meaning' provides a cause-and-effect clue for vagueness.
Unclear; having multiple meanings. The explanation 'so it had more than one meaning' provides a cause-and-effect clue for vagueness.
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Which option best defines “resilient” in: “The resilient plant bounced back after being stepped on”?
Which option best defines “resilient” in: “The resilient plant bounced back after being stepped on”?
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Able to recover quickly. The description 'bounced back after being stepped on' exemplifies recovery via an example clue.
Able to recover quickly. The description 'bounced back after being stepped on' exemplifies recovery via an example clue.
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Which option best defines “tranquil” in: “The garden was tranquil, peaceful and quiet”?
Which option best defines “tranquil” in: “The garden was tranquil, peaceful and quiet”?
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Peaceful. The synonyms 'peaceful and quiet' serve as definition clues to directly convey serenity.
Peaceful. The synonyms 'peaceful and quiet' serve as definition clues to directly convey serenity.
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