Home › Menu
Log In Try for Free
← Vocabulary resources by grade

Free learning resource · Grade 6

6th Grade Context Clues Worksheet with Answers

Use the words around an unfamiliar word to work out a meaning that fits. This free worksheet includes ten original questions, an answer key with explanations, and a short writing task. You can practice here or print it without an account.

By Parrivo · Updated September 11, 2026 · No account needed for this page

Read · Find a clue · Check the meaning

How to use context clues

  1. Read the whole sentence, including the words after the unfamiliar word.
  2. Look for a definition, a contrast, an example, or a detail that explains what happens.
  3. Try a meaning in place of the word. Check that it fits the whole sentence.

A worked example

The first design was fragile: one light tap made the thin frame snap.

Think it through: The frame breaks after a light tap, so fragile means easily broken. Replace fragile with easily broken and check that the whole sentence still makes sense.

6th Grade Context Clues Worksheet with Answers

Parrivo · parrivo.com · Name: ____________________ Date: __________

Practice it

10-question worksheet

Choose the best answer, then explain the clue or reason behind your choice. The answer key is below. You can also use your browser’s Print command.

1. The box was transparent; we could see the colored beads through its sides. What does transparent mean?
2. Unlike her talkative partner, Nia was reserved and said very little during the meeting. What does reserved mean here?
3. The path was obstructed by a fallen tree, so the hikers could not get through. What does obstructed mean?
4. Kai made a miniature boat, a version small enough to rest in his palm. What does miniature mean?
5. The smell was unpleasant at first, but it began to dissipate as fresh air entered and the odor faded. What does dissipate mean?
6. During the drought, water was scarce. The family had only a small amount left for the garden. What does scarce mean?
7. We packed provisions for the walk: water, sandwiches, fruit, and a small first-aid kit. What does provisions mean here?
8. Milo was skeptical of the unbelievable story; he doubted it and asked for proof. What does skeptical mean?
9. The temporary sign would stay up for just two days before the permanent sign arrived. What does temporary mean?
10. The worker reinforced the shelf by adding two supports so it could hold more books. What does reinforced mean?

Answer key and explanations
  1. A. easy to see through

    “We could see ... through its sides” gives a definition clue. Transparent means easy to see through.

  2. B. quiet and not quick to share thoughts

    “Unlike” signals a contrast. Talkative is contrasted with saying very little.

  3. C. blocked

    The tree stops the hikers from passing. That result is a clue that obstructed means blocked.

  4. B. very small

    “Small enough to rest in his palm” explains the size. The sentence does not tell us the material or whether it floats.

  5. A. spread out and fade away

    The fresh air and fading odor show that the smell becomes less concentrated and disappears.

  6. C. in short supply

    Having only a small amount left shows that water is in short supply.

  7. B. supplies for the trip

    The items after the colon are examples of supplies.

  8. C. not easily convinced

    “Doubted it” and “asked for proof” suggest that Milo is not easily convinced.

  9. A. lasting for a limited time

    “Just two days” and the contrast with permanent show a limited duration.

  10. B. made stronger

    Adding supports and holding more weight indicate that the shelf was made stronger.

Take it into a passage

A garden after the rain

At first, the garden path was impassable: deep puddles covered it from fence to fence, leaving nowhere dry to step. The class waited until the water drained. Later, the soil was still moist, but the path was firm enough to use. The students inspected the young plants carefully, looking for bent stems and torn leaves before they began working.

Explain your thinking

What does impassable mean here? Which words support your answer?

See a sample response

It means not possible to travel through at that time. Puddles cover the path from fence to fence, and there is nowhere dry to step. Those details explain why the class waits.

Write with the words

Write two sentences about a journey or a project. Use one word from this worksheet, then add a definition, contrast, example, or result that helps a reader infer its meaning.

Ready for a learning routine?

Keep practicing with Parrivo

Parents and guardians can create an account, choose Grade 6, and explore guided vocabulary, reading, and writing activities. Free access includes Unit 1 in two selected grade levels. These public sample words are a separate practice set.

Create a parent account Already have an account? Open Grade 6 →

No credit card required. Creating an account does not start the optional 7-day trial.

Questions from families and teachers

What kinds of context clues are in this worksheet?

The questions use definitions, restatements, contrasts, examples, and details that let you infer a meaning. Sometimes more than one kind of clue helps.

What if the sentence does not give enough information?

Read the surrounding sentences and check any useful word parts. If the meaning is still unclear, use a dictionary and check which meaning fits. Context gives evidence, but it cannot always settle a word’s meaning by itself.

Is the Grade 6 worksheet free to print?

Yes. The ten questions, answer explanations, short passage, and writing task are available without an account. Download the free five-page PDF, or use your browser’s Print command. The PDF includes a separate answer key.