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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 22 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.Fish were abundant in the bay that year. What does "abundant" mean here?
  • A.almost absent
  • B.very expensive
  • C.poorly hidden
  • D.existing in great quantity
2.They compiled a list of every bird seen that week. What does "compile" mean here?
  • A.to throw away
  • B.to gather material into one place
  • C.to hide carefully
  • D.to argue about
3.The old signalling system is now obsolete. What does "obsolete" mean here?
  • A.no longer used because something better exists
  • B.carefully hidden
  • C.very expensive
  • D.brand new and popular
4.Scientists scrutinise the data before publishing it. What does "scrutinise" mean here?
  • A.to examine very closely
  • B.to throw away
  • C.to glance at briefly
  • D.to copy out
5.The path began to deteriorate after the floods. What does "deteriorate" mean here?
  • A.to get worse over time
  • B.to grow taller
  • C.to improve steadily
  • D.to stay perfect
6.The second account contradicts the first. What does "contradict" mean here?
  • A.to say the opposite of
  • B.to agree with exactly
  • C.to explain clearly
  • D.to repeat word for word
7.Farmers anticipate the first frost each autumn. What does "anticipate" mean here?
  • A.to measure exactly
  • B.to describe afterwards
  • C.to expect something before it happens
  • D.to forget entirely
8.The committee reached a consensus after two hours. What does "consensus" mean here?
  • A.a written record
  • B.a sharp disagreement
  • C.general agreement among a group
  • D.a formal complaint

LessonPrint · L.5.4 · Set 22 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Context First

Set 22. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.existing in great quantity
  2. 2.to gather material into one place
  3. 3.no longer used because something better exists
  4. 4.to examine very closely
  5. 5.to get worse over time
  6. 6.to say the opposite of
  7. 7.to expect something before it happens
  8. 8.general agreement among a group

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