CONTEXT CLUES & MULTIPLE-MEANING WORDS

CONTEXT CLUES Context clues are the words, phrases, or sentences around or near an unfamiliar word that help you understand its meaning.

CONTEXT CLUES EXAMPLE: Katie appeared infallible in math class because she had never gotten a problem wrong. What does infallible mean? a.wrong b.incorrect c.never wrong d.mistaken

CONTEXT CLUES The correct answer is “c – never wrong.” How did you come up with the correct answer? Did you look at the context clues in the sentence? Did you notice the words “had never gotten a problem wrong”?

CONTEXT CLUES Let’s try some more….. The tornado annihilated the whole town to the point that nothing was left standing. What does annihilated mean? a.constructed b.destroyed c.created d.saved

CONTEXT CLUES The correct answer is “b – destroyed.” How did you come up with the correct answer? Did you look at the context clues in the sentence? Did you notice the words “to the point nothing was left standing”?

CONTEXT CLUES The insidious burglar was able to sneak into the house without being seen or heard. What does insidious mean? a.strong b.loud c.clumsy d.sneaky

CONTEXT CLUES The correct answer is “d – sneaky.” How did you come up with the correct answer? Did you look at the context clues in the sentence? Did you notice the words “to sneak into the house without being seen or heard”?

MULTIPLE-MEANING WORDS A multiple-meaning word is a word that has the same spelling as another word but a different meaning and sometimes a different pronunciation.

MULTIPLE-MEANING WORDS EXAMPLE: Jason records the number of repetitions he does on a piece of exercise equipment and turns in his records to the coach at the end of the week. What does the first records mean? Did you say “to write down”? What does the second records mean? Did you say “written accounts of something”?

MULTIPLE-MEANING WORDS Let’s try some more….. How can you use the word wind two different ways? EXAMPLES: The wind blew the leaves on the tree. When my watch stopped, I had to wind it again.

MULTIPLE-MEANING WORDS How can you use the word hide two different ways? EXAMPLES: Kevin tried to find a place to hide his money. The rug was made from the hide of a buffalo.

MULTIPLE-MEANING WORDS Can you think of more multiple- meaning words?