Inferring meaning from context Unit 3

When you encounter an unfamiliar word , a good strategy is to infer (or guess) its meaning from the context. You may not always be able to infer an exact meaning , but you can often get the general meaning ____enough to continue reading with understanding. You can benefit from this strategy in three ways: • It allows you to continue reading and and stay focused on the ideas in the text . • It helps you develop a more complete understanding of the word and the way it is used • It helps you remember the word in the future

A.follow the guidelines to infer the general of the underlined word in each set of three sentences below. Then write the inferred meaning ( in English or another language). Do not use a dictionary. 1. dark clouds appeared and ten minutes later everyone at the football match was completely drenched when he pulled her out of the swimming pool, her dress was drenched and hung close to her body. Seymour screamed and sat up suddenly in bed ,drenched in a cold sweat Inferred meaning : too wet

2. the stranger never said a word, but thrust folded piece of paper into pilar's hand He trust his hands into his pockets and walked slowly away . As she straightened up , she felt a sudden pain like a knife being thrust into her lower back. Inferred meaning : patting with force

Using context to choose a dictionary definition If you are able to infer the general meaning of a word from the context, you can make better use of the dictionary. In fact , many words have more then one definition and you need to choose the most appropriate one. For example, the word laugh ( as a verb ) has eleven different definitions in the longman advanced American dictionary. Definitions for the word get cover three pages!

Making inferences

Good readers make inferences as they read Good readers make inferences as they read. That is, in addition to reading the words, they use their imagination and their knowledge about the world to fill in facts and ideas that are not stated in the text. This is sometimes called “ reading between the lines “ it is often necessary to read between he line because a writer cannot include all the possible information about a topic or situation. Writers leave out information all that they think readers will know already be able to guess

Separating fact from inference In many kinds of writing, the author presents facts about a situation or topic and also makes inferences from those facts .

Facts are statements of information that can be verified .Facts are statements of information that can be verified . For example : on january 15, 2006, chileans elected their first women president , the socialist michelle bachelet , with 53.3 percent of their votes

.inferences are educated guesses that are based on facts For example : the fact that her father was killed under pinochet probably rasied her standing among leftists

Making inference in fiction Writers of fiction often chosee not to tell “the whole story “ to the reader . They may have stylistic reasons for this , or they may keep back some information from the reader in order to increase the mystery or the suspense . When you are reading fiction , you should look for words and phrases that will help you fill in the informaton that the writer has left out