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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 2 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

Context First

L.5.4

NameDate

Tick the right meaning.

1.The instruction was ambiguous, so half the class did it differently. What does "ambiguous" mean here?
  • A.recently written
  • B.perfectly clear
  • C.extremely long
  • D.able to be understood in more than one way
2.The old signalling system is now obsolete. What does "obsolete" mean here?
  • A.brand new and popular
  • B.very expensive
  • C.carefully hidden
  • D.no longer used because something better exists
3.The second account contradicts the first. What does "contradict" mean here?
  • A.to explain clearly
  • B.to repeat word for word
  • C.to agree with exactly
  • D.to say the opposite of
4.A prominent ridge runs along the island's spine. What does "prominent" mean here?
  • A.poorly made
  • B.easily overlooked
  • C.recently built
  • D.easily noticed; important
5.The resilient saplings grew back after the fire. What does "resilient" mean here?
  • A.extremely large
  • B.able to recover quickly from difficulty
  • C.easily destroyed for good
  • D.very expensive
6.Scientists scrutinise the data before publishing it. What does "scrutinise" mean here?
  • A.to throw away
  • B.to examine very closely
  • C.to copy out
  • D.to glance at briefly
7.Farmers anticipate the first frost each autumn. What does "anticipate" mean here?
  • A.to describe afterwards
  • B.to expect something before it happens
  • C.to measure exactly
  • D.to forget entirely
8.The path began to deteriorate after the floods. What does "deteriorate" mean here?
  • A.to stay perfect
  • B.to grow taller
  • C.to get worse over time
  • D.to improve steadily

LessonPrint · L.5.4 · Set 2 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Context First

Set 2. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.able to be understood in more than one way
  2. 2.no longer used because something better exists
  3. 3.to say the opposite of
  4. 4.easily noticed; important
  5. 5.able to recover quickly from difficulty
  6. 6.to examine very closely
  7. 7.to expect something before it happens
  8. 8.to get worse over time

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to L.5.4 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.