This document provides context clues and vocabulary practice related to the poem "A Psalm of Life" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It includes a series of matching exercises to identify opposites of words used in the poem. It also asks the reader to determine the meaning of italicized words using context clues in sample sentences. Finally, it asks the reader to identify the type of context clue being used to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words. The overall purpose is to build vocabulary and practice using context clues to discern word meanings from examples taken from the poem.

1. A PSALM
OF LIFE
BY: HENRY WADSWORTH
LONGFELLOW

2. Column A
1. joyful
2. success
3. miserable
4. behind
Column B
a. front
b. unhappy
c. failure
d. comforting
What is the opposite meaning of these terms?

3. DIRECTIONS: LOOK FOR WORDS IN THE POEM WHICH ARE
OPPOSITE IN MEANING TO EACH OF THE FOLLOWING.
1. open
2. harmony
3. ridiculous
4. smart
5. built
6. cheerful
7. moves
8. insincere
9.loud
10.permanent

4. slumbers
bivouac
earnest
strife
mournful
sublime
muffled
fleeting
dumb
shipwrecked

5. 1. open - bivouac
2. harmony - strife
3. ridiculous - sublime
4. smart - dumb
5. built - shipwrecked
6. cheerful - mournful
7. moves - slumbers
8. insincere - earnest
9.loud -muffled
10.permanent - fleeting

6. Find the meaning of the words using the context clues.
1. I am willing to join the camp even
though I am reluctant to hike at the
mountains.
2.The antidote could never cure the
hopeless patient.
3. Dr. Cruz specializes in oncology, which
is the study of tumors.
4. Life is uncertain because we can’t
predict our future.
5. Lexy’s duplicity, crafty dishonesty,
caused him to steal his classmate’s
wallet.

7. What are the types of context clues?
Context clues are hints
found within the sentence,
paragraph or passage that
a reader can use to
understand the meaning of
unfamiliar words.

8. Define the following context clues
1. Antonyms are words that have the
opposite meaning of the given word. To find
the opposite meaning of words, try to look
first the synonym to understand it better
2. Definition / Explanation is a type of
context clue wherein the word is given
definition or sufficient explanation within or
in the following sentence.
Clues to definition include, “that is”, commas,
dashes and parentheses

9. Give the meaning of the underlined words and the type of context clue
being used.
1. We can make our lives sublime-
noble and impressive if we do our
best.
2. She is fond of dogs however hated
its fur.
3. The woman was forlorn, hopeless
and empty, when she found out the trip
was cancelled.

10. Read and understand the following sentences. Determine the
meaning of the italicized words using the context clues. Encircle the
letter of your choice.
1. The ground is tidy in contrast with their
claim that it is dirty.
a. small b. untidy c. Clean d. Messy
2. She said the reason is rational but for
me it is invalid.
a. valid b. weak c. reason d. point

11. 3 Let us be a hero in strife just to maintain
harmony as we live.
a. celebration b. trouble c. good d. dream
4. I am furious after she forgot my bag
however she brought a pizza which made me
happy.
a. in loved b. sweet c. choose d. angry
5. We should learn to labor that is to work
hard to attain our dreams in life.
a. effort b. stay c. give d. happy

12. Determine the meaning of the unfamiliar word based on the clues
provided. Tell what type of context clue is used.
1. The church was a
solemn place, that is
quiet, calm, and
sacred.

13. Determine the meaning of the unfamiliar word based on the clues
provided. Tell what type of context clue is used.
2. She had a strange
feeling when she moved
to her aunt house. It was
unusual for her to sleep
inside the room alone.

14. 3. Lives of great men
remind us that they
achieve success
because they did not
settle for mediocrity.

15. 4. We thought the idea is
vain but the result is
successful.
5. Students are wasting
their time in worthless
activities instead of doing
valuable things in school.