Grade 1 · Reading · Vocabulary

1st Grade Use Context Clues worksheets

6 printable versionsBuilding ConfidenceAbout 4 minutes eachFree · no account

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Use Context Clues

Grade 1 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence

NameDate

Read the sentences. Circle what the word means.

1.
The sun is bright. It hurts my eyes to look at it. What does bright mean?
- full of light
- very small
- very dark
2.
The library is quiet. No one is talking. What does quiet mean?
- very bright
- not loud
- very cold
3.
My socks are damp. They got a little wet in the rain. What does damp mean?
- very dry
- very old
- a little wet
4.
Mom gave me a gift. I opened the box and it was a toy. What does gift mean?
- a present
- a trip
- a meal
5.
The cup is empty. There is nothing in it. What does empty mean?
- full
- broken
- nothing inside
6.
The rabbit is speedy. It runs very fast. What does speedy mean?
- sleepy
- fast
- slow

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

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