Context First is a free printable Grade 5 English worksheet on using the surrounding sentences before the dictionary, aligned to Common Core standard L.5.4. It prints 8 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two pupils in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.
Set 1 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
1.The resilient saplings grew back after the fire. What does "resilient" mean here?
A.very expensive
B.able to recover quickly from difficulty
C.extremely large
D.easily destroyed for good
2.An impartial judge listened to both accounts. What does "impartial" mean here?
A.clearly taking a side
B.extremely quick
C.not favouring one side
D.very well informed
3.A prominent ridge runs along the island's spine. What does "prominent" mean here?
A.easily overlooked
B.easily noticed; important
C.recently built
D.poorly made
4.The instruction was ambiguous, so half the class did it differently. What does "ambiguous" mean here?
A.perfectly clear
B.able to be understood in more than one way
C.extremely long
D.recently written
5.The path began to deteriorate after the floods. What does "deteriorate" mean here?
A.to grow taller
B.to stay perfect
C.to get worse over time
D.to improve steadily
6.Farmers anticipate the first frost each autumn. What does "anticipate" mean here?
A.to forget entirely
B.to expect something before it happens
C.to describe afterwards
D.to measure exactly
7.Fish were abundant in the bay that year. What does "abundant" mean here?
A.existing in great quantity
B.very expensive
C.poorly hidden
D.almost absent
8.The old signalling system is now obsolete. What does "obsolete" mean here?
A.very expensive
B.brand new and popular
C.no longer used because something better exists
D.carefully hidden
LessonPrint · L.5.4 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Context First
Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.
1.able to recover quickly from difficulty
2.not favouring one side
3.easily noticed; important
4.able to be understood in more than one way
5.to get worse over time
6.to expect something before it happens
7.existing in great quantity
8.no longer used because something better exists
Questions about Context First
What does the Context First worksheet cover?
It practises using the surrounding sentences before the dictionary — 8 questions for Grade 5, all on Common Core L.5.4: Use context, roots and reference works to pin down a word's meaning. The instruction to pupils is “Tick the right meaning”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.
Which Common Core standard does Context First practise?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.4 — L.5.4, in the Language domain for Grade 5. The published standard reads: “Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.” The worksheet assesses that standard rather than a paraphrase of it.
What age or grade is this worksheet for?
Context First is written for Grade 5, typically ages 10-11. It is one of the sheets on L.5.4, so it suits any pupil working at that standard — including older pupils revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.
Does Context First come with an answer key?
Yes. All 8 answers are generated from the same problems as the questions, so the key cannot drift out of step with the sheet. It starts on a fresh sheet of paper, after the questions, so it is not handed out with the class by accident.
How many different versions of Context First can I print?
25 — one per pupil, and all 25 ask different questions. Set 1 downloads the whole class as a single PDF. Every version is fixed to its own address, so a sheet printed today holds the same problems when you reopen it next week.
Is Context First free to print and photocopy?
Yes. Context First, its answer key and its 25 versions are free to print and photocopy for your own class, with no account, no email capture and no subscription at the download step. Please do not resell them or republish them as your own.
More practice for L.5.4
Use context, roots and reference works to pin down a word's meaning.