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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 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 9 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.

Meaning in Context

RL.5.4

NameDate

Tick the right meaning.

1.The reservoir can sustain the town through a dry summer. What does "sustain" mean here?
  • A.to stop suddenly
  • B.to speed up
  • C.to keep something going over time
  • D.to break apart
2.The herd began to diminish as the grassland shrank. What does "diminish" mean here?
  • A.to become smaller or less
  • B.to move faster
  • C.to stay exactly level
  • D.to grow much larger
3.An impartial judge listened to both accounts. What does "impartial" mean here?
  • A.very well informed
  • B.not favouring one side
  • C.extremely quick
  • D.clearly taking a side
4.Subsequent tests confirmed the first result. What does "subsequent" mean here?
  • A.coming before
  • B.happening by chance
  • C.happening at once
  • D.coming after something else
5.They compiled a list of every bird seen that week. What does "compile" mean here?
  • A.to hide carefully
  • B.to gather material into one place
  • C.to throw away
  • D.to argue about
6.The path began to deteriorate after the floods. What does "deteriorate" mean here?
  • A.to improve steadily
  • B.to stay perfect
  • C.to get worse over time
  • D.to grow taller
7.With no rain for months, the drought was inevitable. What does "inevitable" mean here?
  • A.recently invented
  • B.easily avoided
  • C.extremely unlikely
  • D.certain to happen
8.The second account contradicts the first. What does "contradict" mean here?
  • A.to explain clearly
  • B.to agree with exactly
  • C.to say the opposite of
  • D.to repeat word for word

LessonPrint · RL.5.4 · Set 9 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Meaning in Context

Set 9. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.to keep something going over time
  2. 2.to become smaller or less
  3. 3.not favouring one side
  4. 4.coming after something else
  5. 5.to gather material into one place
  6. 6.to get worse over time
  7. 7.certain to happen
  8. 8.to say the opposite of

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