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Grade 3 English Language Arts · Context Clues

Grade 3 Context Clues Practice Test

Build Grade 3 vocabulary skills with five 10-question practice tests on context clues, definitions, examples, synonyms, antonyms, and sentence meaning.

Context Clues Practice Tests

These Grade 3 English Language Arts practice tests help students determine the meaning of unfamiliar words by using clues in the surrounding sentence. Students work with definitions, examples, synonyms, antonyms, and cause-and-effect clues.

Skills covered

  • Using definition clues
  • Using examples and descriptions
  • Recognizing synonym and antonym clues
  • Replacing an unfamiliar word with a possible meaning
  • Using sentence relationships to determine vocabulary meaning
  • Checking whether a meaning fits the complete context

How to use these practice tests

Read beyond the unfamiliar word. Look for words that explain, describe, compare, or give an example. Then replace the word with each answer choice and select the meaning that makes the entire sentence clear.

For more Grade 3 English Language Arts practice, return to the Grade 3 English Language Arts category.

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5 Tests
1. Test2. Test3. Test4. Test5. Test

1. Test

Grade 3 Context Clues Practice Tests

A 10-question Grade 3 English Language Arts practice test on using context clues to determine vocabulary meanings, synonyms, antonyms, definitions, and examples.

Read the whole sentence and look for definitions, examples, comparisons, or nearby clues. Replace the unknown word with each choice and select the meaning that fits best.

10 Questions
0/10 Questions0 %
Correct 0
Incorrect 0
Unanswered 10
1. QuestionMultiple choice

The enormous elephant was so large that it could reach the highest leaves. What does “enormous” mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Very large.

  1. Read the whole sentence: Look for a definition, example, comparison, or clue around the unknown word.
  2. Replace the word: The clue “so large” explains that enormous means very large.
  3. Check the meaning: The correct choice is Very large.

The clue “so large” explains that enormous means very large.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

The glass ornament was fragile, so Mia carried it carefully to keep it from breaking. What does “fragile” mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Easily broken.

  1. Read the whole sentence: Look for a definition, example, comparison, or clue around the unknown word.
  2. Replace the word: The phrase “to keep it from breaking” shows that fragile means easily broken.
  3. Check the meaning: The correct choice is Easily broken.

The phrase “to keep it from breaking” shows that fragile means easily broken.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

The rabbit made a swift dash across the field and disappeared before anyone could follow. What does “swift” mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Fast.

  1. Read the whole sentence: Look for a definition, example, comparison, or clue around the unknown word.
  2. Replace the word: The rabbit disappeared quickly, so swift means fast.
  3. Check the meaning: The correct choice is Fast.

The rabbit disappeared quickly, so swift means fast.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

The ancient castle had stood for hundreds of years. What does “ancient” mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Very old.

  1. Read the whole sentence: Look for a definition, example, comparison, or clue around the unknown word.
  2. Replace the word: A building that has stood for hundreds of years is very old.
  3. Check the meaning: The correct choice is Very old.

A building that has stood for hundreds of years is very old.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

The timid kitten hid behind the chair and would not approach the visitors. What does “timid” mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Shy or fearful.

  1. Read the whole sentence: Look for a definition, example, comparison, or clue around the unknown word.
  2. Replace the word: Hiding and avoiding visitors are clues that timid means shy or fearful.
  3. Check the meaning: The correct choice is Shy or fearful.

Hiding and avoiding visitors are clues that timid means shy or fearful.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

The generous baker gave extra bread to families who needed food. What does “generous” mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Willing to give.

  1. Read the whole sentence: Look for a definition, example, comparison, or clue around the unknown word.
  2. Replace the word: Giving extra bread to families shows that the baker is willing to give.
  3. Check the meaning: The correct choice is Willing to give.

Giving extra bread to families shows that the baker is willing to give.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

The weather report helped us predict that rain would arrive later. What does “predict” mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Guess what will happen.

  1. Read the whole sentence: Look for a definition, example, comparison, or clue around the unknown word.
  2. Replace the word: A weather report predicts by telling what is likely to happen later.
  3. Check the meaning: The correct choice is Guess what will happen.

A weather report predicts by telling what is likely to happen later.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

The classroom was vacant after school; not one student or teacher was inside. What does “vacant” mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Empty.

  1. Read the whole sentence: Look for a definition, example, comparison, or clue around the unknown word.
  2. Replace the word: The clue “not one student or teacher was inside” means vacant is empty.
  3. Check the meaning: The correct choice is Empty.

The clue “not one student or teacher was inside” means vacant is empty.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

The scientist used a notebook to observe the birds and watch their behavior closely. What does “observe” mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Watch carefully.

  1. Read the whole sentence: Look for a definition, example, comparison, or clue around the unknown word.
  2. Replace the word: The words “watch their behavior closely” define observe.
  3. Check the meaning: The correct choice is Watch carefully.

The words “watch their behavior closely” define observe.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

We went to the store to purchase a new pencil because the old one was too short. What does “purchase” mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Buy.

  1. Read the whole sentence: Look for a definition, example, comparison, or clue around the unknown word.
  2. Replace the word: Going to the store for a new pencil shows that purchase means buy.
  3. Check the meaning: The correct choice is Buy.

Going to the store for a new pencil shows that purchase means buy.

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Frequently asked questions about Grade 3 Context Clues

What are context clues?

Context clues are words and details around an unfamiliar word that help explain its meaning.

What types of context clues can readers use?

Readers can use definitions, examples, synonyms, antonyms, descriptions, and cause-and-effect clues.

How many questions are on this page?

The page includes five mini tests with 10 questions each, for 50 Grade 3 Context Clues questions in total.