Grade 1 · Reading · Vocabulary

1st Grade Use Context Clues worksheets

6 printable versionsOn LevelAbout 4 minutes eachFree · no account

When it’s done, scan the sheet with your phone and PencilGo marks it and picks the next one. Create a free account

★

Tired of searching for worksheets?

We’ll email one free Grade 1 worksheet every school day. Your child does it on paper. No account needed.

Version

Use Context Clues

Grade 1 Reading Worksheet

NameDate

Read the sentences. Circle what the word means.

1.
My socks are damp. They got a little wet in the rain. What does damp mean?
- a little wet
- very old
- very dry
2.
The ant is tiny. It is so small I can hardly see it. What does tiny mean?
- very small
- very loud
- very hot
3.
The baby is sleepy. She yawns and rubs her eyes. What does sleepy mean?
- ready to play
- ready to sleep
- ready to eat
4.
My bed is cozy. It is warm and soft. What does cozy mean?
- tall and thin
- hard and cold
- warm and soft
5.
The rabbit is speedy. It runs very fast. What does speedy mean?
- sleepy
- slow
- fast
6.
My room is tidy. Everything is put away. What does tidy mean?
- neat
- noisy
- messy

1st Grade Use Context Clues worksheet 1 – printable PDF — Download PDF: 1 2 3 4 5 6

About this worksheet

When a first grader meets a word they do not know, the words around it are the best clue. A good reader reads on, looks at what the next sentence says, and tries the meaning in the sentence to see if it fits. On this grade 1 worksheet each question gives two short sentences, the first with the new word and the second with a clue, and your child circles what the word means.

The wrong meanings do not fit the clue. The words are ones a first grader may not know yet but can work out, such as tiny, damp and cozy, and every sheet uses different ones. Ask your child to read the clue aloud and say the meaning in their own words.

What your child will learn

Use the sentence after a new word as a clue
Try a meaning in the sentence to see if it fits
Learn new words such as tiny, damp and brave
Say what a word means in your own words

Common Core standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.4.A

Worked example

The ant is tiny. It is so small I can hardly see it. The second sentence says it is so small, so tiny means very small.

Common mistake

Guessing from the look of the word instead of reading the next sentence.

Helpful hint

Read the next sentence. What does it tell you about the word?

Next skill: Use Prefixes and Suffixes Earlier: Read Grade 1 Informational Text

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with use context clues?

Guessing from the look of the word instead of reading the next sentence.

How can I help my child with use context clues?

Read the next sentence. What does it tell you about the word?

Are these 1st grade reading worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

More 1st grade vocabulary

See all vocabulary

Every sheet you scan goes into your child’s record: dated, marked and ready for the year-end portfolio. Homeschool records