Literal and Inferred Meanings

Students examine bolded words to identify both their literal dictionary definitions and their inferred contextual meanings. Each question requires selecting the literal meaning and then choosing or writing the inferred meaning based on story details. Learners must compare how meaning shifts depending on context, improving their ability to interpret nuanced language. This activity builds vocabulary flexibility and develops awareness of how writers shape meaning through word choice. It encourages thoughtful reasoning and careful reading.

Curriculum Matched Skills

English Language Arts – Distinguishing Literal vs. Inferred Word Meanings

English Language Arts – Applying Context Across Multiple Sentences

English Language Arts – Analyzing Subtle Shifts in Meaning

English Language Arts – Reading Comprehension and Inference

This worksheet is part of our Context Clues Worksheets collection.