1. TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES

2. WORDS IN CONTEXT
The context of the word is the setting in which it is used – the words and the information around it in the passage.

3. Synonym Clue – a word near an unfamiliar word that means the same as the familiar word in the sentence
Ex. Most cats abhor
taking a bath; they
hate getting wet.

4. 2. Antonym Clue – a word near an unfamiliar word that means the opposite. There will be a transition word which signals contrast. EX. Mitch usually esteems his teachers, but for some reason he dislikes Mr. Smith.

5. Definition Clue – the meaning of the new word is given right before or right after the new word, often separated by commas.
Ex. Mary was a versatile, or
many-talented, performer.

6. Description Clue – the meaning of the unfamiliar word can be determined because the meaning fits things you know to be true about the subject.
Ex. Duke was as ravenous as a shark that hasn’t eaten for a month. (We already know that a shark that hasn’t eaten for a month would be VERY hungry.)

7. Watch out for these
tricky answers!!!
A similar spelling
An opposite meaning
A definition that could be correct but is not appropriate for the context

8. Sitting on the shelf, the cookie jar was
inaccessible to the small child.
a. difficult to reach
b. delicious
c. capable of being influenced
d. handy
Josh was a hypocrite, acting as if he liked the Jones when he really didn’t.
a. friendly person
b. person to pretends to be what he is not
c. sincere person
d. boring person

9. 3. The mill has to pulverize the grain to make flour.
a. break into large pieces
` b. Make disappear
c. crush into powder
d. plant
Fearing someone would find out, Chang remained anonymous when calling the police about the suspects.
a. unpaid
b. angry
c. unidentified
d. known