Lesson #9 Using Context Clues

What do you do when you come across an unfamiliar word? First, look at the context of the word – the other words in the sentence. The context gives clues to the meaning of the word.

Sometimes a context clue might be a synonym or an antonym of an unfamiliar word.

A synonym is a word that has the same or almost the same meaning as another word. Example: The ocean looked calm.The ocean looked placid. The beach was calm.The beach was peaceful. I felt calm.I felt relaxed. placid = peaceful = relaxed

Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. Example: The current was strong, but near the shore it was weak. You can often form the antonym of an adjective by using the prefix un, in, or im. even/uneven expensive/inexpensive possible/impossible

I built this model; it is an exact replica of that ship. The Northwest Passage is frigid, even when it is warm here. The context clue model is a synonym of the unfamiliar word replica. Warm is an antonym of the word frigid.

Guided Practice: Use context clues to tell the meaning of each underlined word. Example: The tranquil ocean calmed the crew; calm 1. The explorers who followed Columbus were disgruntled. How disappointed they were that this land was not Asia. 2. They remained optimistic, though, certain that they would find Asia soon. 3. The lure of Asia’s riches attracted them. 4. These explorers were resolute, not half- hearted.

5. They diligently searched lakes and rivers; they steadily explored water routes. 6. This short route would curtail the long voyage. 7. Where was this elusive route? That was the mystery. 8. The search for the route energized the crew; the sailors were active much of the time. 9. Explorers hazarded fortunes to take this great risk.

10. Despite the adverse conditions, exploration continued. 11. Cartographers could now map the New World. 12. The ice did not deter later explorers; they continued their voyages. 13. Today various vessels – submarines, tankers, and cutters – use the Northwest Passage. 14. The dream materialized in 1906; a ship actually sailed through the passage that year.