TEN STEPS to BUILDING COLLEGE READING SKILLS Use the tab key, space bar, arrow keys, or page up/down to move through the slides. FIFTH EDITION This presentation is best viewed in “Slide Show” view. [Go to “Slide Show” pulldown menu and click on “Play from Start.”]

TEN STEPS to BUILDING COLLEGE READING SKILLS FIFTH EDITION John Langan © 2011 Townsend Press

This Chapter in a Nutshell You don’t always have to use a dictionary to learn the meanings of new words in your reading. You can often use context clues to figure out the meaning of a word: —Examples may provide clues to what a word means. —Synonyms — words that mean the same as an unknown word — may provide clues to meaning. —Antonyms — words that mean the opposite of an unknown word — may help you figure out a meaning. —The entire sentence may provide clues to meaning. Textbook authors often tell you a word’s meaning; they italicize or boldface terms you may not know and give definitions and examples of those terms.

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context This Chapter in a Nutshell Do you know the meaning of the word savor? Do you know the meaning of the word savor? Look at the cartoon below and see if the sentences underneath (spoken by the older brother) help you choose the meaning. The word savor means A. enjoy. B. wonder about. C. forget.

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context This Chapter in a Nutshell The word savor means A. enjoy. B. wonder about. C. forget. The older brother is advising his younger brother to take enough time to appreciate the taste of the candy. The context—the words surrounding the unfamiliar word— tells us that savor means “appreciate” or “enjoy.”

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context Understanding Vocabulary in Context Do you know the meaning of the word vital? Look at the sentence below and see if the context helps you figure out the meaning of the word. All animals share the same vital needs, such as food, water, and shelter. What does vital mean? A. unimportant B. necessaryC. surprising

The context helps you figure out that vital means “necessary.” CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context Food, water, and shelter are necessary needs. All animals share the same vital needs, such as food, water, and shelter. What does vital mean? A. unimportant B. necessaryC. surprising Understanding Vocabulary in Context Answer: B. necessary

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context Understanding Vocabulary in Context Using context clues to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words will help you in three ways. 1It will save you time when reading. You will not have to stop to look up words in the dictionary. 2It will improve your “working vocabulary”—words you recognize as you read and will eventually be able to use when you speak and write. 3It will give you a good sense of how a word is actually used, including any shades of meaning it might have.

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context Types of Context Clues There are four common types of context clues. 1 Examples 2 Synonyms 3 Antonyms 4 General sense of the sentence or passage

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context Types of Context Clues 1 Examples An unfamiliar word may appear with examples that reveal what the word means. Look at the cartoon below and see if the example helps you choose the correct meaning of the word vague. The word vague means A. angry. B. humorous. C. unclear.

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context Types of Context Clues Notice that the example of a vague answer—“Oh, sooner or later”—helps you understand that vague means “unclear.” The word vague means A. angry. B. humorous. C. unclear. / 1 Examples Example Answer: C. unclear.

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context Types of Context Clues What is the meaning of the word functions? In the sentence below, the italicized word is followed by examples that serve as context clues for that word. These examples, which are boldfaced, will help you figure out the meaning of the word. In our house, clothes hangers have various odd functions. For instance, we use them to scratch backs and hold up plants in the garden. Functions are A. shapes. B. problems. C. uses. / 1 Examples

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context Types of Context Clues What is the meaning of the word functions? In our house, clothes hangers have various odd functions. For instance, we use them to scratch backs and hold up plants in the garden. Functions are A. shapes. B. problems. C. uses. Scratching backs and holding up plants are two examples of odd uses of hangers. / 1 Examples Answer: C. uses.

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context Types of Context Clues All animals share the same vital needs, such as food, water, and shelter. Examples are often introduced with signal words and phrases like for example, for instance, including, and such as. Example / 1 Examples

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context 2 Synonyms Context clues are often found in the form of synonyms: one or more words that mean the same or almost the same as the unknown word. Types of Context Clues

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context Types of Context Clues / 2 Synonyms In the United States, shaking hands is the appropriate way to greet someone; in China, bowing is the right way. In the sentence above, the synonym “right” tells you the meaning of the word appropriate.

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context In the cartoon below, what word or words does the dog use that tell you the meaning of the word refrain? Types of Context Clues The synonym for refrain is expressed in the dog’s words “stop myself.” Those words help you understand that refrain means “to hold oneself back.” / 2 Synonyms Synonym

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context In the sentence below, what is the synonym of the word futile? The cat soon found it useless to smack her paws against the front of the fish tank; her effort to catch a fish was a futile one. The synonym of futile is “useless.” Types of Context Clues / 2 Synonyms

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context 3 Antonyms Types of Context Clues Antonyms—words and phrases that mean the opposite of a word—are also useful as context clues. Antonyms are sometimes signaled by words and phrases such as however, but, yet, on the other hand, instead of, and in contrast.

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context Winners in life take an active role in making things happen, instead of being passive and waiting for good luck. In the sentence above, the words instead of indicate that passive must be the opposite of active. Types of Context Clues / 3 Antonyms

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context Types of Context Clues In the cartoon below, what antonym helps you figure out what the word rational means? The antonym “unreasonable” helps you figure out that rational must mean “reasonable.” / 3 Antonyms

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context Types of Context Clues In the sentence below, use the antonym to help you figure out the meaning of the word reprimand. The coach takes every opportunity to reprimand his players, yet he ignores every chance to praise them. Reprimand means A. approve of.B. criticize.C. choose. / 3 Antonyms

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context Types of Context Clues In the sentence below, use the antonym to help you figure out the meaning of the word reprimand. The coach takes every opportunity to reprimand his players, yet he ignores every chance to praise them. Reprimand is the opposite of praise, so the answer is criticize. Reprimand means A. approve of.B. criticize.C. choose. / 3 Antonyms Answer: B. criticize.

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context 4 General Sense of the Sentence or Passage Types of Context Clues Often, the context of a new word contains no examples, synonyms, or antonyms. In such cases, you must do a bit more detective work; you’ll need to look at any clues provided in the information surrounding the word. Asking yourself questions about the passage may help you make a fairly accurate guess about the meaning of the unfamiliar word.

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context Types of Context Clues / 4 General Sense of the Sentence or Passage Look at this cartoon about a job interview. There are no examples, synonyms, or antonyms in the woman’s statement. However, the applicant’s costume—that of an executioner—and the huge axe he carries suggest that ruthless means “showing no mercy.”

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context Types of Context Clues / 4 General Sense of the Sentence or Passage Use the question below the sentence to help you figure out the meaning of the word frugal. The newlyweds agreed to be very frugal in their shopping because they wanted to save enough money to buy a home. Frugal means A. thrifty.B. wasteful.C. interested. (How would people shop if they wanted to save money?)

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context Types of Context Clues / 4 General Sense of the Sentence or Passage The newlyweds agreed to be very frugal in their shopping because they wanted to save enough money to buy a home. Frugal means A. thrifty.B. wasteful.C. interested. (How would people shop if they wanted to save money?) The sentence provides enough evidence for you to guess that frugal means “thrifty.” The newlyweds had to be thrifty if they wanted to save money. Answer: A. thrifty.

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context Types of Context Clues An Important Point about Textbook Definitions Very often, textbook authors provide definitions of important terms. They usually follow a definition with one or more examples to make sure that you understand the word being defined.

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context Types of Context Clues In the passage below, the author has defined the term flextime. The author then gives an example of the term. The changing work force has changed lifestyles and needs. No wonder many workers have found flextime a desirable choice. Instead of working the standard nine-to-five day, five days a week, they choose their own hours. For instance, they may decide to work four days at ten hours a day rather than five days at eight hours. Example / An Important Point about Textbook Definitions Definition Example Term

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context Types of Context Clues The changing work force has changed lifestyles and needs. No wonder many workers have found flextime a desirable choice. Instead of working the standard nine-to-five day, five days a week, they choose their own hours. For instance, they may decide to work four days at ten hours a day rather than five days at eight hours. Example / An Important Point about Textbook Definitions Textbook authors, then, often do more than provide context clues: they set off the terms they are defining in italic or boldface type, as in the passage below.

CHAPTER 2 Vocabulary in Context