Context Clues & Vocabulary - Answer Keys

Grade 3 ELA | FL B.E.S.T. Standard: ELA.3.V.1.3

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Student Concept Worksheet Answers

Question Answer
1 kind / generous / good-hearted
Clue type: Synonym
"Kind" is given as a synonym right in the sentence.
2 animals that hunt other animals for food
Clue type: Example
Lions, wolves, and hawks are given as examples after "such as."
3 cloudy / not clear / dark and hard to see through
Clue type: Antonym
"Unlike the transparent water" tells us murky is the opposite of clear/transparent.
4 a piece of land surrounded by water on three sides
Clue type: Definition
The definition is stated directly after "is."

Practice Worksheet Answers

Question Answer
1 B. beautiful and amazing
2 "It was beautiful and amazing!"
This synonym clue directly follows "magnificent."
3 C. A process where something completely changes form
4 A. Definition (the meaning is directly stated)
"which is" signals a definition clue.
5 drawn to / pulled toward / interested in
"Drawn to them like magnets" is an inference clue.
6 B. hung in a threatening way
7 wild and violent / fierce / very strong and scary
"Wild and violent like an angry beast" provides synonym clues.
8 C. Antonym clue
"Unlike" signals a contrast/antonym relationship.
9 C. short in time
"Lasting only about thirty minutes" defines brief.
10 special features that help animals survive / body parts or behaviors that help animals live in their environment
11 B. Animals that are active at night
12 D. Example
"Such as owls, bats, and raccoons" provides examples.
13 B. hidden from view
14 "hidden from predators" and "its color matches the environment"

FAST Format Quiz Answers

Question Answer
1 B. amazing and fascinating
2 B. "amazing and fascinating"
3 B. to protect and keep safe
4 C. smart
5 C. Example clue—examples show what the word means
The passage gives examples: solve puzzles, open jars, recognize faces.
6 B. preferring to live alone
7 C. "prefers to live alone rather than in groups"
8 B. to work or operate
9 See rubric and sample response below.
10 See rubric and sample response below.

Questions 9-10 Scoring Rubric

Score Criteria
2 Provides correct meaning AND identifies specific context clue(s) from text
1 Provides correct meaning OR identifies clues, but not both; OR partially correct
0 Incorrect meaning, no clues identified, or off-topic response
Sample 2-Point Response for Question 9:
Meaning: Camouflage means changing colors to blend in with your surroundings so you can't be seen.
Clues: The passage says the octopus "can change colors instantly to blend in with rocks and coral"—this explains what camouflage does.
Sample 2-Point Response for Question 10 (using "intelligent"):
Word: intelligent
Meaning: Smart, able to think and learn
Context clues: The passage says octopuses "can solve puzzles, open jars, and even recognize human faces. They can learn new skills quickly." These examples show that they are smart.
Sample 2-Point Response for Question 10 (using "solitary"):
Word: solitary
Meaning: Living alone, not in groups
Context clues: The sentence right after says "It prefers to live alone rather than in groups"—this directly tells us what solitary means.
FAST Success Kit | Grade 3 | FL B.E.S.T. Standard: ELA.3.V.1.3
Answer Key - For Teacher Use Only