Context Clues Worksheet for 8-Year-Olds (Grade 3) — English Reading & Vocabulary Practice

Instructions

When you read, you might find a word you don't know. Don't worry! The other words in the sentence are like clues that help you figure out the meaning. These are called context clues. Read each sentence carefully to be a word detective and discover the meaning of the bold words!

Part 1: Circle the Clues

Read the sentence. Circle the words that help you understand the meaning of the word in bold. Then, write what you think the bold word means.

1. The desert is extremely arid. It hardly ever rains there, and the ground is very dry.
   

   I think arid means: ____________________________________________________



2. Maria was so joyful when she got a new puppy. She was smiling all day long!
   

   I think joyful means: ____________________________________________________



3. The squirrel was very nimble, quickly jumping from one tree branch to another without falling.
   

   I think nimble means: ____________________________________________________

Part 2: Choose the Best Meaning

Read each sentence and choose the best meaning for the word in bold.

1. After running the race, I was so fatigued that all I wanted to do was lie down and rest.
• A) Full of energy
• B) Very tired
• C) Happy


2. The new skyscraper is a colossal building that is much taller than all the other buildings in the city.
• A) Very small
• B) Funny
• C) Extremely large


3. Please be brief when you tell the story; we only have five minutes before we have to leave.
• A) Loud
• B) Long
• C) Short

Part 3: Finish the Sentence

Use a word from the box to complete each sentence. Use the context clues in the sentence to help you pick the right word.

1. The pizza was so ____________________; the cheesy, tasty slice was the best I've ever had!


2. On a cold night, it's nice to get under a soft blanket and feel warm and ____________________.


3. My aunt is very ____________________ because she is always willing to share her toys and treats with me.

Answer Key

Part 1: Circle the Clues

1. The clues are: "hardly ever rains", "very dry".
   Arid means: very dry or having little rain.
2. The clues are: "new puppy", "smiling all day".
   Joyful means: full of happiness.
3. The clues are: "quickly jumping", "from one tree branch to another", "without falling".
   Nimble means: quick and light in movement.

Part 2: Choose the Best Meaning

1. B) Very tired
2. C) Extremely large
3. C) Short

Part 3: Finish the Sentence

1. delicious
2. cozy
3. generous