Context Clues How do we figure out the meaning of a word that we DON’T know, without using a dictionary?

Complete the Context Clues Pretest

Context Clues When you don’t know the meaning of a word, you can use context clues to determine the meaning. Context clues are words in the same sentence as the word you don’t know. They may also be found in other sentences before and after that word. All of these clues will help you understand how the chosen word is used in the passage.

Example Clues An example may be found nearby to help explain the meaning of the word. Example clues include “such as” and “for example.” Piscatorial creatures, such as flounder, salmon, and trout, live in the coldest parts of the ocean. Piscatorial means fish as indicated by the examples of different types of fish.

Definition/Description Clue The new term may be formally defined, or sufficient explanation may be given within the sentence or in a following sentence. Clues to definition include “that is,” commas, dashes, and parentheses. His emaciation, that is, his skeleton-like appearance, was frightening to see. “Skeleton-like appearance” is the definition of emaciation.

Synonym/Comparison Clues The reader may discover the meaning of an unknown word because it repeats an idea expressed in familiar words nearby. Clues to explanation include “or” and commas. His rancor, or hatred, of his brother has caused him to live his life as a lonely person. Rancor is a synonym of hatred.

Antonym/Contrast Clues An opposite meaning context clue contrasts the meaning of an unfamiliar word with the meaning of a familiar term. Clues to indicate antonyms are words that imply the opposite including “although,” “however,” and “but.” Although Mary was willing to play in the snow, Jack was reluctant because he was so cold. Reluctant is the opposite of willing.

Mood/Tone Clue The author sets a mood, and the meaning of the unknown word must fit in with the mood. Clues to indicate mood are adjectives that describe emotions or feelings. The lugubrious wails of the gypsies matched the dreary whistling of the wind in the all-but-deserted cemetery. Lugubrious, which means “sorrowful,” fits into the mood set by the words “wails,” “dreary,” and “deserted cemetery.”

Experience Clues Sometimes a reader knows from experience how people or things act in a given situation. Clues to experience include prior knowledge applied to situations presented in the text. During those first bewildering weeks, the thoughts of a college freshman drift back to high school where he was “in,” knew everyone, and felt at home. A feeling of nostalgia sweeps over him. Nostalgia means to fondly remember the past as indicated by the words “thoughts,” “drift back,” “knew everyone,” and “felt at home.”

Analysis or Structure Clue The parts used to construct a word can be direct clues to meaning. Clues to analysis and structure include knowledge of prefixes, roots, and suffixes. The story is incredible. Incredible means unbelievable. The root cred means “to believe” and the prefix in means “not.”

Inference Clues Sufficient clues might be available for the careful reader to make an educated guess at the meaning by using reasoning skills. Clues to explanation include logic and reasoning. She told her friend, “I’m through with blind dates forever. What a dull evening! I was bored every minute. The conversation was absolutely vapid.” Vapid means lacking interesting and meaningful content as indicated by the words “dull” and “bored”.

Cause and Effect Clues Words explaining the reasons behind an action, process or condition that will help give a meaning to an unknown word. Clues to indicate cause and effect include “since,” “because,” “caused,” “as a result,” “after,” and “therefore.” The bear’s impending hibernation caused him to pack on extra pounds to keep him warm during the extremely cold winter in his dark cave. Hibernation means to sleep for the winter. As indicated by the word “caused.”

Context Clues – Guided Practice Celestial bodies, including the sun, moon, and stars, have fascinated man through the centuries. Type of Clue: example Meaning: objects in the sky or heavens Clue: the word “including” leads into specific examples

Context Clues – Guided Practice The dudeen – a short-stemmed clay pipe – is found in Irish folk tales. Type of Clue: definition/description Meaning: a short-stemmed clay pipe Clue: dashes after the underlined word and after the definition

Context Clues – Guided Practice The mountain pass was a tortuous road, winding and twisting like a snake around the trees of the mountainside. Type of Clue: synonym/comparison Meaning : winding and twisting Clue: the comma indicates the words following it are used to describe the underlined word

Context Clues – Guided Practice Rather than be involved in clandestine meetings, they did everything quite openly. Type of clue: antonym/contrast Meaning: secretive Clue: the word “rather” indicates the opposite (openly)

Context Clues – Guided Practice The boy went down into the dark, damp cellar despite a sense of foreboding. Type of clue: mood/tone Meaning: a feeling of danger or evil Clue: The words “dark, damp cellar” indicate something dangerous may happen.

Context Clues – Guided Practice She walked away from her closet and quickly slipped a jersey over her head. She smoothed it into place over her hips, added a belt, glanced at the mirror, and left for work. Type of clue: experience Meaning: a shirt Clue: The words “closet,” “over her head,” “over her hips,” and “added a belt” indicate she put on a shirt.

Context Clues – Guided Practice The somnambulist had to be locked in his bedroom at night for his own safety. Type of clue: analysis/structure Meaning: sleepwalker Clue: somn means “to sleep” and ambular means “to walk”

Context Clues – Guided Practice No one ever believes that particular newspaper because it is famous for printing canards. Type of clue: inference Meaning: rumors or unbelievable stories Clue: The words “no one ever believes,” “newspaper,” and “printing” indicate that the paper prints unbelievable stories.

Context Clues – Guided Practice The apprehensive student sat with his pencil tightly gripped in his hand as he waited for his teacher to give him his final exam. Type of clue: cause and effect Meaning: fearful (anxious) of something bad happening Clue: The word “as” indicates that apprehensive means nervous or anxious (gripping his pencil, as he waited).

Context Clues –Posttest Complete the context clues Posttest