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Quizzes > English & Grammar

Context Clues Quiz: Figure Out Word Meaning from Hints

Quick, free context clues practice test with instant answers and explanations.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Sebastian SolbergUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
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This context clues quiz helps you use sentence hints to infer word meaning and grow your vocabulary. Get instant answers with brief explanations, then try a context clues test for more practice, a vocabulary quiz with answers to review key words, or a quick reading comprehension quiz to sharpen overall skills.

After the torrential downpour, the streets were inundated with water. What does inundated most likely mean?
guarded
flooded
dried
illuminated
In this sentence, the phrase describes streets filled with so much water they could not be used normally. Thus, inundated means flooded. This is reinforced by common usage of inundate in meteorological contexts. For more detail, see .
The toddler was elated when he saw his birthday cake with lit candles. What does elated most likely mean?
confused
ecstatic
apathetic
terrified
The context of excitement at seeing a birthday cake implies a very happy or ecstatic state. Elated means extremely happy or overjoyed. See further explanation at .
The cat stealthily crept up on the unsuspecting bird. What is the meaning of stealthily?
quietly
quickly
clumsily
noisily
Stealthily implies doing something in a secretive or quiet manner to avoid detection. The bird was unsuspecting because the cat moved quietly. For more on the term, consult .
She had an aversion to spiders and would scream any time she saw one. What does aversion mean?
attraction
fearlessness
dislike
interest
An aversion is a strong dislike or reluctance. Her screaming reaction indicates she did not like spiders. For additional examples, see .
His raucous laughter echoed through the hall. Based on context, raucous most nearly means:
loud
musical
brief
quiet
Raucous describes a harsh, loud noise. The echo in the hall emphasizes the loudness of his laughter. Learn more at .
The aromatic scent of roses filled the room. What does aromatic most likely mean?
bitter
colorful
visible
fragrant
Aromatic means having a pleasant and distinctive smell. The sentence emphasizes scent, indicating fragrance. More information can be found at .
The museum curator was meticulous in cataloging each artifact. What does meticulous mean?
creative
careful
impatient
hasty
Meticulous describes someone who pays great attention to detail. Cataloging artifacts carefully implies a very precise approach. See for more.
At the party, she was quite gregarious, chatting with everyone she met. What does gregarious mean?
silent
hostile
sociable
timid
Gregarious refers to someone who is sociable and enjoys company. The context of chatting with everyone supports this meaning. For more, visit .
Identify the type of context clue in this sentence: 'Quiet as a mouse, she tiptoed into the room.'
definition
antonym
example
comparison (simile)
The phrase 'quiet as a mouse' directly compares her quietness to that of a mouse, making it a simile. Similes are comparison clues. Learn more at .
Unlike his extroverted sister, he was rather reticent in social situations. The context suggests reticent means:
outgoing
talkative
confident
reserved
Reticent means reserved or unwilling to speak. The contrast with an extroverted sister highlights this reluctance. More detail at .
He excelled in art; his paintings were exquisite. What does exquisite mean?
common
abstract
beautiful
large
Exquisite denotes something extremely beautiful or delicate. The context of high-quality paintings indicates beauty. For examples, see .
She is a polymath, skilled in art, science, and literature. What type of context clue is used to define polymath?
inference
definition
example
antonym
The sentence directly explains that a polymath is skilled in multiple fields, providing a definition. This is a definition context clue. More info at .
Melancholy settled over the crowd, a profound sadness that everyone felt. What does melancholy mean?
confusion
anger
sadness
excitement
Melancholy means a deep, pensive sadness. The restatement 'a profound sadness' confirms the meaning. See .
The raconteur enthralled the audience with his vivid storytelling. What does raconteur mean?
critic
listener
storyteller
painter
A raconteur is someone who tells anecdotes in an engaging way. His ability to enthrall the audience indicates this. For more, refer to .
The politician's speech was replete with platitudes, offering little genuine insight. What does platitudes mean?
humorous remarks
statistical data
detailed facts
banal statements
Platitudes are trite, overused statements that add no real meaning. The phrase 'offering little genuine insight' confirms this. More at .
The arid desert, where rainfall seldom occurs, is inhospitable. What type of context clue defines arid?
definition
inference
antonym
synonym
The phrase 'where rainfall seldom occurs' explains that arid means very dry, providing a direct definition. See .
Smartphones have become ubiquitous, seen in the hands of people everywhere. What does ubiquitous mean?
expensive
innovative
everywhere
deteriorating
Ubiquitous means present or appearing everywhere. The context of widespread use supports this meaning. For a deeper look, see .
The intern was obsequious, always eager to please the manager. What does obsequious mean?
servile
efficient
independent
argumentative
Obsequious describes someone who is overly submissive or eager to please. The intern's behavior confirms a servile attitude. More information at .
He was enervated by the relentless heat, completely drained of energy. What type of context clue is used for enervated?
antonym
synonym
example
definition
The phrase 'completely drained of energy' directly explains enervated, making it a definition clue. For more, see .
His laconic reply, 'Fine,' left everyone wanting more. What does laconic mean?
brief
incoherent
enthusiastic
angry
Laconic means using very few words. The single-word reply 'Fine' illustrates brevity. More context at .
Despite her odious behavior, she was oblivious to the disdain she provoked. What does odious mean?
neutral
charming
hateful
elegant
Odious means extremely unpleasant or deserving hatred. The disdain she provoked signals her behavior was hateful. See .
The beauty of the sunset is ephemeral, lasting only a few minutes. What does ephemeral mean?
colorful
short-lived
dazzling
predictable
Ephemeral describes something that lasts for a very short time. The mention of only a few minutes confirms this. Learn more at .
Identify the type of context clue in this sentence: 'The dilapidated house, its paint peeling and windows shattered, stood abandoned.'
example
definition
antonym
synonym
The descriptive details 'paint peeling and windows shattered' illustrate what dilapidated means through example rather than explicit definition. For deeper discussion, see .
The recalcitrant student refused to comply with the school's rules. What does recalcitrant mean?
punctual
diligent
stubborn
obedient
Recalcitrant means stubbornly resisting authority or control. The student's refusal to comply illustrates this trait. More detail at .
Given his alacrity for learning languages, he quickly picked up Japanese. What does alacrity mean?
difficulty
eagerness
hesitation
confusion
Alacrity refers to cheerful willingness or eagerness. His fast progress learning Japanese shows enthusiasm. For further reading, visit .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Different Types of Context Clues -

    Distinguish between definition, synonym, antonym, and example clues by examining examples of context clues with answers in real-life sentences.

  2. Analyze Context Clue Functions -

    Break down how writers use surrounding words and sentence structure to hint at meanings, using example clues to guide your analysis.

  3. Infer Unfamiliar Word Meanings -

    Apply strategies to deduce the definitions of unknown words from surrounding text, boosting your vocabulary with each definition test example.

  4. Apply Strategies to New Sentences -

    Use example of clues and example of example clues to determine word meanings in varied contexts, reinforcing your comprehension skills.

  5. Assess Your Vocabulary Confidence -

    Evaluate your mastery by reviewing quiz answers, transforming each question into a self-guided definition test example.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Definition Context Clues -

    Often set off by commas, dashes, or phrases like "that is" or "in other words," a definition context clue directly explains the unfamiliar word. For example, in "Photosynthesis, the process by which plants turn sunlight into energy, …" the parenthetical phrase provides a clear definition test example you can rely on (Purdue OWL).

  2. Synonym Context Clues -

    When a sentence offers a synonym or closely related term, it serves as an example clue to unlock meaning. Consider "The movie was riveting, enthralling everyone from start to finish," where "enthralling" is an example of clues pointing back to "riveting" (University of North Carolina Writing Center).

  3. Antonym Context Clues -

    Look for contrasting words such as "but," "however," or "unlike" to identify an antonym that clarifies the unknown term. In "She was loquacious, unlike her taciturn brother," the word "unlike" signals that "taciturn" is the opposite of "loquacious" (Harvard Writing Center).

  4. Example Context Clues -

    Words like "for example," "such as," or "including" introduce an example of example clues that illustrate the term in context. In questions from examples of context clues with answers quizzes, phrases like "for instance" help you spot the definition quickly (University of Wisconsin - Madison Reading Center).

  5. Inference or General Sense Clues -

    When no direct cue is given, infer meaning from the overall tone, setting, or logic of the passage. Practice by reading a sentence such as "He felt a pang of remorse after lying," and use your own understanding of context to define "remorse" (International Literacy Association).

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