1. THE READING-WRITING CONNECTION
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2. THE READING-WRITING CONNECTION
John Langan
© Townsend Press

3. Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Prof. Lam 1
Vocabulary Development
for Reading and Writing

4. There are steps you can take to build word power.1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Improving your vocabulary will make you a better reader and a better writer.
There are steps you can take to build word power.
Most of all, you need to read more. It’s a proven fact that the more you read, the more words you will learn.
In addition to reading more, you should learn how to understand vocabulary in context to figure out the meanings of unfamiliar words.
See page 15 in textbook

5. 1 See page 15 in textbook ANSWER: A
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
See page 15 in textbook
ANSWER: A
The next slides show and explain the answer.

6. Do you know the meaning of the word savor?1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Look at the cartoon below and see if the sentences underneath (spoken by the older brother) help you figure out the meaning.
Do you know the meaning of the word savor?
The word savor means
A. enjoy.
B. wonder about.
C. forget.
See page 15 in textbook
ANSWER: A
The next slides show and explain the answer.

7. The word savor means A. enjoy. B. wonder about. C. forget.1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
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.
See pages 15–16 in textbook
The context—the words surrounding the unfamiliar word—tells us that savor means “appreciate” or “enjoy.”

8. The word savor means B. wonder about. A. enjoy. C. forget.1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
The word savor means
B. wonder about.
C. forget.
A. enjoy.
The older brother is advising his younger brother to take enough time to appreciate the taste of the candy.
See pages 15–16 in textbook
The context—the words surrounding the unfamiliar word—tells us that savor means “appreciate” or “enjoy.”

9. Do you know the meaning of the word vital? 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
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.
All animals share the same vital needs, such as food, water, and shelter.
See page 16 in textbook
ANSWER: B
The next slide shows and explains the answer.
What does vital mean?
A. unimportant
B. necessary
C. surprising

10. Food, water, and shelter are necessary needs.1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Understanding Vocabulary in Context
The context helps you figure out that vital means “necessary.”
All animals share the same vital needs, such as food, water, and shelter.
See page 16 in textbook
What does vital mean?
A. unimportant
B. necessary
B. necessary
C. surprising
Food, water, and shelter are necessary needs.

11. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Understanding Vocabulary in Context
Using context clues to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words will help you in three ways.
1 It will save you time when reading. You will not have to stop to look up words in the dictionary.
2 It will improve your “working vocabulary”—words you recognize as you read and will eventually be able to use when you speak and write.
See pages 16–17 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.

12. Types of Context Clues There are four common types of context clues.1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
There are four common types of context clues.
1 Examples
2 Synonyms
See page 17 in textbook
3 Antonyms
4 General sense of
the sentence or passage

13. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
1 Examples
An unfamiliar word may appear with examples that reveal what the word means.
See page 17 in textbook
ANSWER: C
The next slide shows and explains the answer.

14. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ 1 Examples
See if the example in this cartoon helps you figure out the meaning of the word vague.
The word vague means
C. unclear.
B. humorous.
A. angry.
See page 17 in textbook
ANSWER: C
The next slide shows and explains the answer.

15. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ 1 Examples
The example of a vague answer—“Oh, sooner or later”—helps you understand that vague means “unclear.”
The word vague means
A. angry.
See pages 17–18 in textbook
B. humorous.
C. unclear.
C. unclear.
Example

16. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ 1 Examples
Examples are often introduced with signal words and phrases like for example, for instance, including, and such as.
All animals share the same vital needs, such as food, water, and shelter.
Signal phrase
See page 17 in textbook
Examples

17. What is the meaning of the word functions?1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
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 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.
See page 18 in textbook
ANSWER: C
The next slides show and explain the answer.
Functions are
A. shapes.
B. problems.
C. uses.

18. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ 1 Examples
Scratching backs and holding up plants are two examples of odd uses of clothes hangers.
In our house, clothes hangers have various odd functions. For instance, we use them to scratch backs and hold up plants in the garden.
See page 18 in textbook
Functions are
A. shapes.
B. problems.
C. uses.
C. uses.

19. Notice the signal phrase that introduces the examples.1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ 1 Examples
Scratching backs and holding up plants are two examples of odd uses of clothes hangers.
Notice the signal phrase that introduces the examples.
In our house, clothes hangers have various odd functions. For instance, we use them to scratch backs and hold up plants in the garden.
For instance,
See page 18 in textbook
C. uses.
C. uses.

20. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
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.
A synonym may appear anywhere in a sentence as a restatement of the meaning of the unknown word.
See page 20 in textbook

21. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
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.
See page 20 in textbook

22. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ 2 Synonyms
In the cartoon below, what word or words does the dog use that tell you the meaning of the word refrain?
See page 21 in textbook
ANSWER: stop myself
The next slide shows and explains the answer.

23. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ 2 Synonyms
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.”
See page 21 in textbook
Synonym

24. In the sentence below, what is the synonym of the word futile?1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ 2 Synonyms
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.
See page 21 in textbook
ANSWER: useless
The next slide shows and explains the answer.

25. In the sentence below, what is the synonym of the word futile?1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ 2 Synonyms
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.
See page 21 in textbook
The synonym of futile is “useless.” The word useless tells you the meaning of futile.

26. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
3 Antonyms
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.
See page 23 in textbook

27. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ 3 Antonyms
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.
See page 23 in textbook

28. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ 3 Antonyms
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.
See page 23 in textbook

29. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ 3 Antonyms
In the cartoon below, what antonym helps you figure out what the word rational means?
See page 23 in textbook
ANSWER: unreasonable
The next slide shows and explains the answer.

30. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ 3 Antonyms
The antonym “unreasonable” helps you figure out that rational must mean “reasonable.”
See page 23 in textbook
reasonable

31. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ 3 Antonyms
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.
See page 23 in textbook
ANSWER: praise
The next slides show and explain the answer.
Reprimand means
A. approve of.
B. criticize.
C. choose.

32. Reprimand is the opposite of praise, so the answer is criticize.1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ 3 Antonyms
Reprimand is the opposite of praise, so the answer is criticize.
The coach takes every opportunity to reprimand his players, yet he ignores every chance to praise them.
See pages 23–24 in textbook
Reprimand means
A. approve of.
B. criticize.
B. criticize.
C. choose.

33. Reprimand is the opposite of praise, so the answer is criticize. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ 3 Antonyms
Reprimand is the opposite of praise, so the answer is criticize.
Note the word that signals the antonym.
The coach takes every opportunity to reprimand his players, yet he ignores every chance to praise them.
yet
See pages 23–24 in textbook
B. criticize.

34. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
4 General Sense of the Sentence or Passage
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.
See page 26 in textbook
Asking yourself questions about the passage may help you make a fairly accurate guess about the meaning of the unfamiliar word.

35. Look at this cartoon about a job interview.1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ 4 General Sense of the Sentence or Passage
Look at this cartoon about a job interview.
See page 26 in textbook

36. There are no examples, synonyms, or antonyms in the woman’s statement. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ 4 General Sense of the Sentence or Passage
See page 26 in textbook
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.”

37. (How would people shop if they wanted to save money?)1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
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.
(How would people shop if they wanted to save money?)
See page 27 in textbook
ANSWER: A
The next slides show and explain the answer.
Frugal means
A. thrifty.
B. wasteful.
C. interested.

38. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ 4 General Sense of the Sentence or Passage
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.
The newlyweds agreed to be very frugal in their shopping because they wanted to save enough money to buy a home.
See page 27 in textbook
Frugal means
A. thrifty.
B. wasteful.
C. interested.

39. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ 4 General Sense of the Sentence or Passage
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.
The newlyweds agreed to be very frugal in their shopping because they wanted to save enough money to buy a home.
See page 27 in textbook
Frugal means
A. thrifty.
A. thrifty.
B. wasteful.
C. interested.

40. Very often, textbook authors provide definitions of important terms. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
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.
See page 30 in textbook

41. In the passage below, the author has defined the term flextime.1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ An Important Point about Textbook Definitions
In the passage below, the author has defined the term flextime.
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.
Term
See page 30 in textbook
Definition

42. In the passage below, the author has defined the term flextime. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ An Important Point about Textbook Definitions
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.
Term
See page 30 in textbook
Definition
Example

43. 1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Types of Context Clues
/ 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.
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.
See page 30 in textbook

44. • • • • Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing–Summary1
Vocabulary Development for Reading and Writing
Vocabulary Development
for Reading and Writing–Summary •
Improving your vocabulary will make you a better reader and a better writer. •
One way to improve your vocabulary is to use context clues to help you understand the meaning of unfamiliar words. •
There are four common types of context clues.
1 Examples
2 Synonyms
3 Antonyms
4 General sense of
the sentence or passage •
Textbook authors typically set off important words in italic or boldface and define those words for you, often providing examples as well.