This question asks students to use context clues, or the words and sentences around words, to define words they do not know. This is a sample mulitiple choice test item used in a past Reading Achievement Test (for more information, see IMS: Assessments). From this test item, a visitor may view the reading passage and information regarding the general performance on this item. The Ohio Department of Education's IMS website allows visitors to search for test items and build a printable database of questions by choosing the "Add to Your Backpack" function. This resource is also available in Word format. ODE Reference Information: 2005-Grade 8 Reading, Annotated Item 40. (Author/laa)