Meaning in Context is a free printable Grade 5 English worksheet on pinning a word's meaning to this text, aligned to Common Core standard RL.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 students 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.They compiled a list of every bird seen that week. What does "compile" mean here?
A.to argue about
B.to throw away
C.to gather material into one place
D.to hide carefully
2.The report advocates planting more trees in cities. What does "advocate" mean here?
A.to describe neutrally
B.to publicly support an idea
C.to measure precisely
D.to argue against
3.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
4.The herd began to diminish as the grassland shrank. What does "diminish" mean here?
A.to move faster
B.to grow much larger
C.to become smaller or less
D.to stay exactly level
5.With no rain for months, the drought was inevitable. What does "inevitable" mean here?
A.extremely unlikely
B.recently invented
C.certain to happen
D.easily avoided
6.An impartial judge listened to both accounts. What does "impartial" mean here?
A.not favoring one side
B.very well informed
C.clearly taking a side
D.extremely quick
7.Two credible witnesses described the same car. What does "credible" mean here?
A.extremely detailed
B.believable and worth trusting
C.very entertaining
D.impossible to believe
8.The second account contradicts the first. What does "contradict" mean here?
A.to repeat word for word
B.to explain clearly
C.to agree with exactly
D.to say the opposite of
LessonPrint · RL.5.4 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Meaning in Context
Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.
1.to gather material into one place
2.to publicly support an idea
3.easily noticed; important
4.to become smaller or less
5.certain to happen
6.not favoring one side
7.believable and worth trusting
8.to say the opposite of
Questions about Meaning in Context
What does the Meaning in Context worksheet cover?
It practices pinning a word's meaning to this text — 8 questions for Grade 5, all on Common Core RL.5.4: Work out what words mean here, including metaphors and similes. The instruction to students is “Circle the right meaning”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.
Which Common Core standard does Meaning in Context practice?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.4 — RL.5.4, under Reading: Literature for Grade 5. The published standard reads: “Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.” The worksheet assesses that standard rather than a paraphrase of it.
What age or grade is this worksheet for?
Meaning in Context is written for Grade 5, typically ages 10-11. It is one of the sheets on RL.5.4, so it suits any student working at that standard — including older students revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.
Does Meaning in Context 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 Meaning in Context can I print?
25 — one per student, 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 Meaning in Context free to print and photocopy?
Yes. Meaning in Context, 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 RL.5.4
Work out what words mean here, including metaphors and similes.