Using Context Clues

What are Context Clues? Sometimes when we are reading, we don’t know what a word means! What do we do? Just like a detective, we have to use clues! There are words or phrases around unfamiliar or difficult words that can help us understand the meaning of a word. These words or phrases are called context clues. Learning how to use these clues can help us understand the meaning of the word, help us to understand the reading, improve our vocabulary and save us from using the dictionary!

Some Types of Context Clues Let’s look at some common types of context clues: Restatement Synonymy Contrast or Antonym Definition Comparison Example

What are Context Clues? Restatement: The meaning is usually right after the unfamiliar word and often separated from the rest of the word by commas, dashes, or parentheses; sometimes, or that is, or in other words. Carnivores, that is meat eaters, are at the top of the food chain. Animosity, a feeling of strong dislike, developed among the workers when some refused to join the union. She enjoys biology (the study of living things). Computers are multi-purpose tools. In other words, they can be used in a wide variety of situations and are found in a wide range of systems.

What are Context Clues? 2. Synonymy: It is a word or words around a difficult word that means the same or nearly the same as the word. After seeing the picture of the starving children, we all felt compassion or pity for their suffering. Mary admonished her students and they knew they were in big trouble for their actions.

What are Context Clues? 3. Antonym: The unfamiliar word is shown to be different from or unlike another word, and is often an opposite; but, however, although, otherwise, unless, instead, on the contrary, on the other hand, while, never, no, or not may be used to signal contrast. Mike’s parrot was loquacious, but Maria’s parrot said very little. Most birds are herbivores, not meat eaters. Some people think that IT careers are boring. However, most feel that it’s very stimulating.

Entomology is the study of insects. What are Context Clues? 4. Definition: The author includes a definition to help the reader understand the meaning of a word. The verbs “is,” “are,” or “to be” are signals indicating that the definition of the word can be found within the sentence. Entomology is the study of insects. Archaeology is the scientific study of prehistoric cultures by excavation of their remains. An incoherent statement is a statement that is not logically connected.

What are Context Clues? 5. Comparison: The unfamiliar word is shown to be the same as or like another word; too, like, as, similar to, or in the same way may be used to signal the comparison. My brother is enthralled by birds similar to the way that I am fascinated by insects.

What are Context Clues? 6. Example: The author includes one or more examples or descriptions to help the reader understand the unknown word. Look for words and phrases like “such as,” “including,” “for example,” and “consists of.” Celestial bodies, including the sun, moon, and stars, have fascinated man through the centuries. North American predators include grizzly bears, pumas, wolves, and foxes.

shy boisterous kind serious Activity Her quiet, timid ways made us guess at her true feelings about the story because she kept her ideas to herself and never spoke in the class. shy  boisterous  kind  serious

rare enclave full sparse Activity 2. The boy knew that the lake was teeming and overflowing with fish, so he brought a big net to help get the fish in the boat. rare enclave full  sparse

bottom breathe top clear Activity 3. Thomas went to the apex of the mountain, and because it was so high, he had to take a tank of oxygen with him. bottom breathe top clear

support obstruct prolong destroy Activity 4. Lakes occupy less than two percent of the Earth’s surface, yet they help sustain life. For instance, lakes give us fish to eat, irrigate crops, and generate electrical power. support obstruct prolong destroy

flourish die wither deteriorate Activity 5. Bats that eat fruit and nectar spread seeds and help flowers grow. Without bats many important plants would not thrive. flourish die wither deteriorate

trip class paintings lunch Activity 6. Our class took an excursion, a short journey, to a museum. trip class paintings lunch

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