Context Clues Practice

part of a plan that everything else depends on

There may be some parts of my plan to arrest the thieves that should be changed. But I feel very strongly that renting the apartment above their headquarters is the LINCHPIN of the scheme. We must do that immediately!

profitable; bring in a lot of money

Tom's newest idea was selling chocolate covered baby shoes. He was convinced that it would be a LUCRATIVE business. His friends tried to warn him that it was not a certain road to riches.

intelligence or wisdom

When your plan brings us great wealth, you will be rewarded for your SAGACITY.

scatter or spread out

When they heard the good news about the court's decision, the angry crowd cheered and then began to DISPERSE. "It looks like everyone is going home," one reporter stated.

greatly admired

Wherever he goes, the ESTEEMED Dr. Sanchez is applauded for his life saving research

believable enough to possibly be true

Your cousin claimed to be late because the doors of his house were frozen shut. Even though I have my doubts, his explanation is PLAUSIBLE. It got really cold last night. I'll just have to take his word for it.

stingy or cheap

Your uncle wouldn't even part with a dime to help the kids pay for their trip. That's just one more example of his PENURIOUS ways. In contrast, many people who have much less money have donated a great deal to the cause.

obvious or noticeable

David hoped that nobody would know that he was in the building. Didn't he realize that parking his new car in the driveway made his presence rather CONSPICUOUS?

not long-lasting

Fortunately, the dizzy spell was TRANSIENT. He was able to continue playing within seconds and had no trouble winning the match.

main or most important

Her CARDINAL rule is this: Be kind to others! She believes that everything else in life will fall properly into place if one follows that rule.

strong belief or ideal

I am working very hard for the same candidate that you support. You are doing it for pay. I'm not doing this for money. I'm doing it out of CONVICTION.

a reason to do something

I believe that if you lower taxes so that people can keep more of the money they earn, it will be an INCENTIVE for them to work harder.

attempt

I like that store. All the employees STRIVE to make the customers feel right at home.

to think about or consider

I want you to WEIGH his words carefully. He seems sincere and presents his arguments well. There is, however, something that doesn't quite ring true about the candidate.

to alter or change

If you count all the votes in an area that heavily supports candidate A, and only some of the votes in an area that heavily supports candidate B, you'll SKEW the results in favor of candidate A.

reduce or slow down

If you don't CURTAIL your spending, you'll be broke in no time at all!

long-lasting or won't go away

If you don't recover quickly from your condition, it could become CHRONIC. Then you might have to take medicine for the rest of your life

frightening or intimidating

In the early 1600's, a dangerous trip across the Atlantic Ocean was a DAUNTING idea. The Europeans, who would someday be known as the Pilgrims, must have been a very determined and brave group of settlers.

melody

It was a sad and haunting STRAIN that met our ears as we entered the old theater. There was a beauty in the voice that we'd never forget. This would be a special concert.

clearly different from others; unique

It's a wonder to me how anyone can still be undecided about this election. These two candidates are certainly DISTINCT. Each would lead our nation in opposite directions.

allowing liquids or gases to pass through it

Kathy was looking for a strong but light material to use for making her water jugs. Unfortunately, she chose noodelite. It proved to too POROUS to hold jelly

very strong or passionate

Michael is an ARDENT supporter of his presidential candidate. That became obvious to me when I found out how much time he's donated to the campaign. Perhaps Michael knows what he's doing.

the right to vote

Most of America's Founding Fathers did not believe in women's SUFFRAGE. Only men could vote in the United states until 1920.

irresponsible

Mr. Burke stood before his employees. They had never seen him in such a serious mood. "I would be REMISS if I didn't tell you that your future with this company depends on how hard you work," he stated firmly.

large amount

Mr. Huge was very proud of his auto superstore. "We have such an EXTENSIVE selection of cars," he said, "so everyone should find a vehicle that he or she will love!"

it is everywhere

No matter where you go, the Internet is following you. Almost every portable device is being made with an Internet connection. Most new TVs and many other appliances come with Internet connections as well. The Internet is truly UBIQUITOUS.

hidden or undercover

No one suspected that Jerry was a spy. On the surface he behaved like any normal citizen. When his COVERT activity was discovered and announced to the world, we were all shocked.

secret or stealthy

No word must ever leak out about this military action! It has to be a CLANDESTINE operation in order to succeed.

emerged or appeared

Only an hour or so had passed before a tremendous roar shook the ground. At that very moment, a strange grey creature MATERIALIZED before our eyes. It resembled a lizard in shape. It was about ten feet high at the shoulders and at least fifty feet long

works extremely hard

Poor Farmer Chevez LABORS sixteen hours a day and never has time for a vacation. He deserves better! Everyone should have at least one day a week for rest and relaxation.

stylish or fashionable

Prunella and Paula are sisters, but they're very different. Just look at how they dress. Prunella doesn't care what she wears. Paula, on the other hand, is quite CHIC.

block or slow down

Put this medicine on your arm and rub it into your skin until it's invisible. It will INHIBIT the infection's attempt to spread.

apathetic or disinterested

Sheila expected her children to be INDIFFERENT to such grownup topics as taxes and social security. She was pleasantly surprised to discover that they were really interested in those issues and wanted to learn more about them.

with little thought or consideration

Speaking rudely to the judges was RASH behavior. You really hurt your chances of winning!

small or unimportant

Sunshine said, "Amber, why are you making such a big deal about Robert's hair? Yes, he did dye it purple. It is rather unusual for a guy to have purple hair. On the other hand, it's not exactly going to change the course of world history. It's really quite a TRIVIAL matter."

sorrowful

The LUGUBRIOUS wails of the gypsies matched the dreary whistling of the wind in the all-but-deserted cemetery.

sleepwalker

The SOMNAMBULIST had to be locked in his bedroom at night for his own safety.

real or rightful

The home team made sure that the officials were on their side. They won a close game and the championship with many questionable decisions from the officials. However, no one from any other town would accept the winners as LEGITIMATE champions.

a fake or a lie

The news story was based on a letter that was a FABRICATION. Now the reporter who wrote the story is in big trouble. Will anyone believe him again?

the right to enter

The owner of the restaurant wouldn't allow Samantha to walk through the door. "I'm sorry," she said, "but you started a food fight the last time you were here. You may not have INGRESS to my restaurant!"

bankrupt; out of money or resources

The workers stood in front of the factory and wondered what to do next. The doors were locked and the windows were boarded up. They doubted that they would even collect their final pay checks now that the company was INSOLVENT.

to speed up

There is a legal battle raging and the judges are concerned that time is running out. Lawyers are being asked to EXPEDITE the matter by getting their paperwork in early.

of or on the planet Earth

There is a very interesting article about solar storms in the February 14, 2000 issue of Time magazine. It tells about how these disturbances not only affect spacecraft, but can also disrupt TERRESTRIAL life.

high

We have rather LOFTY expectations for you, son. You will attend college. You will become rich and famous. You will be elected president of the United States before you turn forty.

nervousness or uneasiness

We walked slowly down the trail with great TREPIDATION. No one who had gone this way had ever been heard from again. Had they simply found a better place to settle on this dark planet? We doubted that.

expand or grow wider

When the light brightens, the pupils of the eyes contract; however, when it grows darker, they DILATE.

starts or causes

Connie is never happy when everyone is getting along. She always INSTIGATES fights and then acts like little Miss Innocent.

cancel or take back

"I am going to RESCIND the permission I gave you to use my toys!" T. J. announced angrily. "I thought you would take good care of them, but I was wrong!"

seriousness

"If you knew the GRAVITY of the situation, you wouldn't be laughing," Mr. Farmer said quietly. He didn't have to say more to get everyone's attention.

move quickly

Ashlee was not happy with her friend Samantha. "I've been waiting here for an hour!" she growled into her cell phone. "You'd better HIE yourself over here," she continued, "or we'll leave without you.