LET’S TRY ONE
The steep bank rose sharply beside the stream; climbing it took careful steps.
What does “bank” mean here?
sloping land beside water
The surrounding action supports “sloping land beside water” rather than the word's other meanings.
Learning steps & teaching tips
Use context to select among different meanings of a familiar word.
- Read the entire text before comparing the choices.
- Try each meaning in the sentence. Nearby words should still make sense.
- Choose the best-supported answer. Reread the explanation and identify the words that justify it.
Try it together
Write a new two- or three-sentence example. Ask a partner to explain an answer using evidence from your text.
Try each meaning in the sentence. Nearby words should still make sense.