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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
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4. 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 trail was narrow, only wide enough for one person to walk at a time. What does “narrow” mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Not wide.

  1. Read the whole sentence: Look for a definition, example, comparison, or clue around the unknown word.
  2. Replace the word: The clue “only wide enough for one person” means narrow is not wide.
  3. Check the meaning: The correct choice is Not wide.

The clue “only wide enough for one person” means narrow is not wide.

2. QuestionMultiple choice

The puppy was famished, so it ate its entire bowl of food quickly. What does “famished” mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Very hungry.

  1. Read the whole sentence: Look for a definition, example, comparison, or clue around the unknown word.
  2. Replace the word: Eating an entire bowl quickly is a clue that the puppy was very hungry.
  3. Check the meaning: The correct choice is Very hungry.

Eating an entire bowl quickly is a clue that the puppy was very hungry.

3. QuestionMultiple choice

The glass was transparent, and we could see the flowers through it. What does “transparent” mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Clear enough to see through.

  1. Read the whole sentence: Look for a definition, example, comparison, or clue around the unknown word.
  2. Replace the word: Seeing the flowers through the glass shows that transparent means clear enough to see through.
  3. Check the meaning: The correct choice is Clear enough to see through.

Seeing the flowers through the glass shows that transparent means clear enough to see through.

4. QuestionMultiple choice

The blanket was cozy, so Mia curled up underneath it and felt warm and comfortable. What does “cozy” mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Comfortable and warm.

  1. Read the whole sentence: Look for a definition, example, comparison, or clue around the unknown word.
  2. Replace the word: Feeling warm and comfortable under the blanket defines cozy.
  3. Check the meaning: The correct choice is Comfortable and warm.

Feeling warm and comfortable under the blanket defines cozy.

5. QuestionMultiple choice

The teacher praised Jordan for helping a new student find the classroom. What does “praised” mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Said something positive about.

  1. Read the whole sentence: Look for a definition, example, comparison, or clue around the unknown word.
  2. Replace the word: The teacher praised Jordan for a helpful action, meaning said something positive.
  3. Check the meaning: The correct choice is Said something positive about.

The teacher praised Jordan for a helpful action, meaning said something positive.

6. QuestionMultiple choice

The path was steep, so the hikers climbed slowly up the sharp slope. What does “steep” mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Rising sharply.

  1. Read the whole sentence: Look for a definition, example, comparison, or clue around the unknown word.
  2. Replace the word: A sharp slope that hikers climb slowly is steep.
  3. Check the meaning: The correct choice is Rising sharply.

A sharp slope that hikers climb slowly is steep.

7. QuestionMultiple choice

The room was cluttered with books, toys, and papers covering the floor. What does “cluttered” mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: C

The correct answer is Messy and filled with many things.

  1. Read the whole sentence: Look for a definition, example, comparison, or clue around the unknown word.
  2. Replace the word: Many objects covering the floor create a messy, cluttered room.
  3. Check the meaning: The correct choice is Messy and filled with many things.

Many objects covering the floor create a messy, cluttered room.

8. QuestionMultiple choice

The instructions were vague, so we were not sure which step to do first. What does “vague” mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: D

The correct answer is Not clear or specific.

  1. Read the whole sentence: Look for a definition, example, comparison, or clue around the unknown word.
  2. Replace the word: Being unsure about the first step is a clue that the instructions were not clear.
  3. Check the meaning: The correct choice is Not clear or specific.

Being unsure about the first step is a clue that the instructions were not clear.

9. QuestionMultiple choice

The plant wilted because it had not received water; its leaves drooped toward the soil. What does “wilted” mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: A

The correct answer is Became limp or drooped.

  1. Read the whole sentence: Look for a definition, example, comparison, or clue around the unknown word.
  2. Replace the word: Drooping leaves show that the plant became limp or wilted.
  3. Check the meaning: The correct choice is Became limp or drooped.

Drooping leaves show that the plant became limp or wilted.

10. QuestionMultiple choice

Evan was eager to start the science experiment, so he had all of his materials ready before class. What does “eager” mean?

Please select an answer first.

Correct answer: B

The correct answer is Excited and ready.

  1. Read the whole sentence: Look for a definition, example, comparison, or clue around the unknown word.
  2. Replace the word: Preparing materials early shows that Evan was excited and ready.
  3. Check the meaning: The correct choice is Excited and ready.

Preparing materials early shows that Evan was excited and ready.

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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.