1. TEN STEPS to IMPROVING COLLEGE READING SKILLS
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2. TEN STEPS to IMPROVING COLLEGE READING SKILLS
SIXTH EDITION
TEN STEPS to IMPROVING COLLEGE READING SKILLS
John Langan
© Townsend Press

3. 1
Vocabulary in Context

4. CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
If you were asked to define the word adverse, you might have some difficulty.
On the other hand, if you saw this word in a sentence, chances are you could come up with a fairly accurate definition.
See page 21 in textbook.

5. CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Look at the sentence below and see if the context helps you figure out the meaning of the word adverse.
The adverse effects of this drug, including dizziness, nausea, and headaches, have caused it to be withdrawn from the market.
See page 21 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slide shows and explains the answer.
Adverse means
A. artificial.
B. harmful.
C. energetic.

6. Dizziness, nausea, and headaches are harmful effects.
CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
The context helps you figure out that adverse means “harmful.”
The adverse effects of this drug, including dizziness, nausea, and headaches, have caused it to be withdrawn from the market.
See page 21 in textbook.
Adverse means
A. artificial.
B. harmful.
B. harmful.
C. energetic.
Dizziness, nausea, and headaches are harmful effects.

7. CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Using context clues to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words will help you in several ways.
1 It will save you time when reading. You will not have to stop to look up words in the dictionary.
2 After you figure out the meaning of the same word more than once through its context, it may become a part of your working vocabulary. You will therefore add to your vocabulary simply by reading thoughtfully.
See page 22 in textbook.
3 It will give you a good sense of how a word is actually used, including any shades of meaning it might have.

8. Types of Context Clues There are four common types of context clues.
CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
There are four common types of context clues.
1 Examples
2 Synonyms
See page 22 in textbook.
3 Antonyms
4 General Sense of
the Sentence or Passage

9. Examples may suggest the meaning of an unknown word.
CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
1 Examples
Examples may suggest the meaning of an unknown word.
See page 22 in textbook.

10. The word initiative means
CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 1 Examples
See if the example in this cartoon helps you figure out the meaning of the word initiative.
The word initiative means
C. ability to take charge.
B. will power.
A. anger.
See pages 22–23 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slide shows and explains the answer.

11. The word initiative means A. anger. B. will power.
CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 1 Examples
The example of the cats’ having initiative—chasing mice—helps you understand that initiative means “ability to take charge.”
The word initiative means
A. anger.
See pages 22–23 in textbook.
B. will power.
C. ability to take charge.
C. ability to take charge.
Example

12. CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 1 Examples
Examples are often introduced with signal words and phrases like for example, for instance, including, and such as.
Signal phrase
The adverse effects of this drug, including dizziness, nausea, and headaches, have caused it to be withdrawn from the market.
Examples
See page 23 in textbook.

13. What is the meaning of the word mundane?
CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 1 Examples
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.
What is the meaning of the word mundane?
Mundane activities such as doing the laundry or dishes or going food shopping or reading the newspaper all help me relax.
See page 23 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slides show and explain the answer.
Mundane means
A. exciting.
B. painful.
C. ordinary.

14. CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 1 Examples
The three activities referred to are examples of mundane or ordinary activities.
Mundane activities such as doing the laundry or dishes or going food shopping or reading the newspaper all help me relax.
See pages 23–24 in textbook.
Mundane means
A. exciting.
B. painful.
C. ordinary.
C. ordinary.

15. Notice the signal phrase that introduces the examples.
CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 1 Examples
The three activities referred to are examples of mundane or ordinary activities.
Notice the signal phrase that introduces the examples.
Mundane activities such as doing the laundry or dishes or going food shopping or reading the newspaper all help me relax.
such as
See pages 23–24 in textbook.
C. ordinary.

16. Practice!
Today I had to deal with one mishap after another. I couldn’t find my car keys, I dropped a bowl of soup at lunchtime, and my computer crashed twice.
Mishap Means:
A. Unlucky Accident
B. Event
C. Unexpected Question

17. Some mentally ill people have bizarre ideas
Some mentally ill people have bizarre ideas. For instance, they may think the TV is talking to them or that others can steal their thoughts.
Bizarre Means:
A. Limited
B. Ordinary
C. Odd

18. CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
2 Synonyms
Context clues are often available in the form of a synonym: a word that means the same or almost the same as the unknown word.
A synonym may appear anywhere in a passage to provide the same meaning as the unknown word.
See page 26 in textbook.

19. CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 2 Synonyms
In the cartoon below, what word does the man use that tells you the meaning of the word terminate?
See page 26 in textbook.
Answer: end
The next slide shows and explains the answer.
© Randy Glasbergen.

20. The synonym that helps you understand the meaning of terminate is end.
CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 2 Synonyms
The synonym that helps you understand the meaning of terminate is end.
See page 26 in textbook.
© Randy Glasbergen.
Synonym

21. In the sentence below, what is the synonym of the word flippant?
CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 2 Synonyms
In the sentence below, what is the synonym of the word flippant?
As soon as I made a flippant remark to my boss, I regretted sounding so disrespectful.
See page 26 in textbook.
Answer: disrespectful
The next slide shows and explains the answer.

22. CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 2 Synonyms
As soon as I made a flippant remark to my boss, I regretted sounding so disrespectful.
See page 26 in textbook.
The synonym of flippant is “disrespectful.” The word disrespectful tells you the meaning of flippant.

23. Practice!
Speaking in front of a group disconcerts Alan. Even answering a question in class embarrasses him.
Hint: How does speaking in public affect Alan?

24. Because my friends had advised me to scrutinize the lease, I took time to examine all the fine print.
Hint: What did she do with the lease?

25. CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
3 Antonyms
An antonym—a word that means the opposite of another word—is also a useful context clue.
Antonyms are sometimes signaled by words and phrases such as however, but, yet, on the other hand, instead of, and in contrast.
See page 28 in textbook.

26. CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 3 Antonyms
I prefer the occasional disturbance of ear-splitting thunder to the incessant dripping of our kitchen sink.
In the sentence above, the word occasional is an antonym that helps us realize that the word incessant means “nonstop.”
See page 28 in textbook.

27. CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 3 Antonyms
I prefer the occasional disturbance of ear-splitting thunder to the incessant dripping of our kitchen sink.
incessant =
nonstop
In the sentence above, the word occasional is an antonym that helps us realize that the word incessant means “nonstop.”
See page 28 in textbook.

28. CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 3 Antonyms
In the cartoon below, what antonym helps you figure out what the word amplifies means?
See page 28 in textbook.
Answer: lowers
The next slide shows and explains the answer.

29. CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 3 Antonyms
The antonym lowers helps you figure out that amplifies must mean “increases.”
See page 28 in textbook.
increases

30. CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 3 Antonyms
In the sentence below, use the antonym to help you figure out the meaning of the word salutary.
Many people have pointed out the harmful effects that a working mother may have on the family, yet there are many salutary effects as well.
See page 28 in textbook.
Answer: B
The next slides show and explain the answer.
Salutary means
A. well-known.
B. beneficial.
C. hurtful.

31. Salutary is the opposite of harmful, so the answer is beneficial.
CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 3 Antonyms
Salutary is the opposite of harmful, so the answer is beneficial.
Many people have pointed out the harmful effects that a working mother may have on the family, yet there are many salutary effects as well.
See pages 28–29 in textbook.
Salutary means
A. well-known.
B. beneficial.
B. beneficial.
C. hurtful.

32. Salutary is the opposite of harmful, so the answer is beneficial.
CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 3 Antonyms
Salutary is the opposite of harmful, so the answer is beneficial.
Note the word that signals the antonym.
Many people have pointed out the harmful effects that a working mother may have on the family, yet there are many salutary effects as well.
yet
See pages 28–29 in textbook.
B. beneficial.

33. Practice
Many politicians do not give succinct answers. They prefer long ones that help them avoid the point.
Succinct means:
A. Brief
B. Accurate
C. Complete

34. Although investments in the stock market can be lucrative, they can also result in great financial loss.
Lucrative Means:
A. Required
B. Financially Rewarding
C. Risky

35. CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
4 General Sense of the Sentence or Passage
Sometimes it takes a bit more detective work to puzzle out the meaning of an unfamiliar word.
In such cases, you must draw conclusions based on the information given with the word.
See page 31 in textbook.
Asking yourself questions about the passage may help you make a fairly accurate guess about the meaning of the unfamiliar word.

36. Can you figure out the meaning of the word alleviate in this cartoon?
CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 4 General Sense of the Sentence or Passage
See page 31 in textbook.
Answer: lessen
The next slides show and explain the answer.
Can you figure out the meaning of the word alleviate in this cartoon?

37. CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 4 General Sense of the Sentence or Passage
See page 31 in textbook.
Answer: lessen
The next slide shows and explains the answer.
To figure out the meaning of alleviate, try asking this question: What would the patient want the prescription to do to his aches and pains?

38. CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 4 General Sense of the Sentence or Passage
See page 31 in textbook.
To figure out the meaning of alleviate, try asking this question: What would the patient want the prescription to do to his aches and pains?
The patient’s words to his doctor strongly suggest that alleviate means “lessen.”

39. (How successful would a carwash be on a rainy day?)
CHAPTER 1 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 fiasco.
The car wash we organized to raise funds was a fiasco—it rained all day.
(How successful would a carwash be on a rainy day?)
See page 32 in textbook.
Answer: C
The next slides show and explain the answer.
Fiasco means
A. great financial success.
B. welcome surprise.
C. complete disaster.

40. A. great financial success. B. welcome surprise. C. complete disaster.
CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 4 General Sense of the Sentence or Passage
The sentence provides enough evidence for you to guess that fiasco means “complete disaster.” A carwash on a rainy day would be a complete disaster.
The car wash we organized to raise funds was a fiasco—it rained all day.
See page 32 in textbook.
Fiasco means
A. great financial success.
B. welcome surprise.
C. complete disaster.

41. A. great financial success. B. welcome surprise. C. complete disaster.
CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ 4 General Sense of the Sentence or Passage
The sentence provides enough evidence for you to guess that fiasco means “complete disaster.” A carwash on a rainy day would be a complete disaster.
The car wash we organized to raise funds was a fiasco—it rained all day.
See page 32 in textbook.
Fiasco means
A. great financial success.
B. welcome surprise.
C. complete
disaster.
C. complete disaster.

42. Practice
The lizard was so lethargic that I wasn’t sure if it was alive or dead. It didn’t move or even blink.
Lethargic Means:
A. Green
B. Inactive
C. Big

43. Jamal didn’t want to tell Tina the entire plot of the movie, so he just gave her the gist of the story.
Gist means:
A. Ending
B. Title
C. Main Idea

44. Very often, textbook authors define important terms.
CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
An Important Note about Textbook Definitions
Very often, textbook authors define important terms.
Also, after giving a definition, authors usually follow it with one or more examples to ensure that you understand the new term.
See page 34 in textbook.

45. In the passage below, the author has defined the term displacement.
CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ An Important Note about Textbook Definitions
In the passage below, the author has defined the term displacement.
People do not always satisfy their needs directly; sometimes they use a substitute object. Use of a substitute is known as displacement. This is the process that takes place, for instance, when you control your impulse to yell at your boss and then go home and yell at the first member of your family who is unlucky enough to cross your path.
Definition
See page 34 in textbook.
Term

46. In the passage below, the author has defined the term displacement.
CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ An Important Note about Textbook Definitions
In the passage below, the author has defined the term displacement.
The author then gives an example of the term.
People do not always satisfy their needs directly; sometimes they use a substitute object. Use of a substitute is known as displacement. This is the process that takes place, for instance, when you control your impulse to yell at your boss and then go home and yell at the first member of your family who is unlucky enough to cross your path.
Definition
See page 34 in textbook.
Term
Example

47. CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
Types of Context Clues
/ An Important Note about Textbook Definitions
Textbook authors, then, often do more than provide context clues: they define a word, set it off in italic or boldface type, and provide examples as well.
People do not always satisfy their needs directly; sometimes they use a substitute object. Use of a substitute is known as displacement. This is the process that takes place, for instance, when you control your impulse to yell at your boss and then go home and yell at the first member of your family who is unlucky enough to cross your path.
Definition
See page 34 in textbook.
Term
Example

48. CHAPTER 1 Vocabulary in Context
See page 35 in textbook.

49. Context Clue District Challenge
You will compete against the other Districts to win the Context Clue Challenge!
I will post a sentence with a word bolded in red and 3 choices for the meaning of the word.
Use the context clues we just learned about to determine the meaning of the red word.
Write the letter of the correct choice on your whiteboard AND the type of context clue you used to figure out the answer.
The first District to hold up the correct answer + context clue gets 2 points. Every team to get a correct answer + context clue gets 1 point.
May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor!

50. Question #1
Children who move to a foreign country adapt much more easily than their parents, soon picking up the language and customs of their new home.
Adjust
Struggle
Become Bored

51. Question #2
When people are broke, they find that many things which seem indispensable are not so necessary after all.
Important
Necessary
Useful

52. Question #3
In formal communication, be sure to avoid ambiguous language. Clear language prevents confusion.
Wordy
Ineffective
Unclear

53. Question #4
Suicide rates tend to fluctuate with the seasons, with much higher rates in the winter than in the summer.
Go up and down
Disappear
Stay the Same

54. Question #5
Human beings are resilient creatures – they can often bounce back from negative experiences and adjust well to life.
Not flexible
Living
Able to recover

55. Question #6
Being raised with conflicting values can be a detriment to boys’ and girls’ relationships with each other. In contrast, shared values can be a benefit.
Improvement
Drawback
Relationship

56. Question #7
Managers should beware of having adversaries work together; opponents often do not cooperate well.
Friends
Relatives
Opponents

57. Question #8
The Chinese government provided incentives for married couples to only have one child. For example, couples with one child get financial help and free medical care.
Warnings
Penalties
Encouragements

58. Question #9
Changes in such abilities as learning, reasoning, thinking, and language are aspects of cognitive development.
Physical
Mental
Spiritual

59. Question #10
In the same way that the arrival of mechanical equipment meant fewer farm jobs, the advent of the computer has led to fewer manufacturing jobs.
Arrival
Creation
Use of

60. Question #11
While houses and antiques often increase in value, most things, such as cars and TVs, depreciate.
Remain Useful
Lose Value
Break

61. Question #12
A major accomplishment of sociology is dispelling the myths and prejudices that groups of people have about each other.
Ignoring
Making Vanish
Creating Again

62. Question #13
Then years of research culminated in a report explaining the mysterious behavior of the praying mantis, a large green or brownish insect.
Failed
Began
Concluded

63. Question #14
Reliable scientific theories are based not upon careless work, but rather upon meticulous research and experimentation.
Hasty
Expensive
Careful

64. Question #15
Many corporations like to be seen as benevolent and will actively seek publicity for their charitable donations.
Greedy
Charitable
Likeable

65. Question #16
Today was a day of turmoil at work. The phones were constantly ringing, people were running back and forth, and several offices were being painted.
Discussion
Confusion
Harmony

66. Question #17
White-collar-crime – for example, accepting a bribe from a customer or stealing from an employer – is more costly than “common” crime.
Crime committed by gang members
Crime committed by strangers
Crime committed by people in the workplace

67. Question #18
Throughout history, the prevalent authority pattern in families has been patriarchy, in which males are in control. In only a few societies has matriarchy been the customary authority pattern.
Unusual
Regular
Customary

68. Question #19
In the early days of automobile manufacturing, stringent laws controlled motorists’ speed. In contrast, the laws designed to protect consumers from faulty products were extremely weak.
Informal
Not Effective
Strict

69. Question #20
Despite complaints from parents, educators, and government officials, violence and sex on television seem to go on unabated.
More Slowly
Unstopped
At Great Expense