use context to identify the meaning of a word
Key Notes :
| What are Context Clues? |
Context clues are hints found within a sentence or paragraph that help you understand the meaning of a new or unfamiliar word. Think of them as detective clues that lead you to the word’s secret meaning!
| Types of Context Clues |
There are several types of context clues. Let’s explore some common ones:
- Definition: The meaning of the word is directly stated in the sentence.
- Example: The sentence gives examples to help you understand the word.
- Synonym: The sentence uses a word with a similar meaning to the unknown word.
- Antonym: The sentence uses a word with the opposite meaning to the unknown word.
- Inference: You have to use the other words in the sentence and your own knowledge to figure out the meaning.
| Examples |
Let’s look at some examples of how these clues work:
Definition:
The arachnid, or spider, spun a delicate web.
- Clue: “or spider” directly tells us what “arachnid” means.
Example:
My mom enjoys culinary activities, such as baking, grilling, and roasting.
- Clue: “baking, grilling, and roasting” are all examples of cooking, so “culinary” must relate to cooking.
Synonym:
The old house was dilapidated, run-down and in need of repair.
- Clue: “run-down” is a synonym for “dilapidated.”
Antonym:
Unlike her gregarious sister, who loves to be around people, Lily prefers to be alone.
- Clue: The sentence contrasts Lily’s preference for being alone with her sister’s love of people, implying “gregarious” means sociable or outgoing.
Inference:
The arduous climb left us breathless and exhausted.
- Clue: The words “breathless” and “exhausted” suggest that “arduous” means difficult or tiring.
| Exercises |
Read each sentence and use context clues to determine the meaning of the underlined word. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
- The forest was verdant, filled with lush green trees and plants.
- The child was loquacious, always talking and never stopping to listen.
- The audacious climber scaled the towering mountain without fear. Other climbers could only dream to do that.
- The detective was meticulous in his investigation, carefully examining every detail.
- Because Jane overslept, she had to expedite her morning routine so she wouldn’t be late for work.
Answer Key
- Verdant: Green
- Loquacious: Talkative
- Audacious: Bold or fearless
- Meticulous: Careful or thorough
- Expedite: To speed up
- Read the entire sentence (or paragraph): Don’t just focus on the word itself. The surrounding words provide valuable clues.
- Look for signal words: Words like “or,” “such as,” “like,” “unlike,” “but,” and “because” often signal the type of context clue being used.
- Think about what makes sense: Use your own knowledge and experience to make logical guesses about the word’s meaning.
- If you’re still unsure, look it up: Context clues are helpful, but sometimes you’ll still need a dictionary or thesaurus!
| Next Steps |
Keep practicing using context clues whenever you encounter a new word! The more you practice, the better you’ll become at unlocking the meanings of unfamiliar words and improving your reading comprehension.
Learn with an example
Read the passage and then answer the question.
In 1861, Clara Barton had an office job in Washington, DC. When the American Civil War started, soldiers poured into the city. Barton saw that many of them were wounded and hungry. Bandages, medicine and food were scarce, but Barton searched the whole city to find what the soldiers needed. She visited the soldiers, read to them and wrote letters for those who couldn’t write. She even went out during battles to assist doctors caring for the wounded. After the war, in 1881, Clara Barton helped establish the American Red Cross. Today the Red Cross helps thousands of people after serious events such as fires and floods.
What is the meaning of scarce as used in the passage?
- not allowed
- small in number
- very cheap
- found everywhere
As used in the passage, scarce means small in number.
Read the passage and then answer the question.
In 1910, two groups of explorers landed on the coast of Antarctica. Both groups had the same goal: to be the first to reach the South Pole. The men set up camps to wait for warm weather to arrive. When spring began, each group started across the icy mountains towards the pole. Roald Amundsen led one party, using dogsleds to carry supplies over the ice. In the other party, led by Robert Falcon Scott, the men pulled their own sleds. Amundsen’s group arrived at the South Pole first. The date was 14 December 1911. If Scott had used dogsleds, he might have reached that destination sooner.
What is the meaning of destination as used in the passage?
- a place where a person is going
- a collection of different supplies
- something that blocks your path
- a crack in the earth’s surface
As used in the passage, destination means a place where a person is going.