CONTEXT CLUESCONTEXT CLUES

Concept map

WHAT ARE CONTEXT CLUES?

ContextClues

How Do You Guess The How Do You Guess The Meaning Of An Meaning Of An Unfamiliar Word?Unfamiliar Word?

There are words or phrases around an There are words or phrases around an unfamiliar word that can help you unfamiliar word that can help you understand the meaning of a new word.understand the meaning of a new word.

These words and phrases are called These words and phrases are called

context cluescontext clues.  . 

If you learn how to use these clues, If you learn how to use these clues, you can save yourself a trip to the you can save yourself a trip to the dictionary, increase your vocabulary, and dictionary, increase your vocabulary, and improve your reading comprehension.  improve your reading comprehension. 

CONTEXT CLUESCONTEXT CLUES

THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES:

Definition

Restatement or Synonym

Contrast or Antonym

Comparison

DEFINITIONDEFINITION

The unknown word is defined with a The unknown word is defined with a more familiar word or phrase; more familiar word or phrase; usually a form of usually a form of to beto be is used. is used.

EXAMPLES:EXAMPLES:

****EntomologyEntomology isis the study of insects. the study of insects.

****ArchaeologyArchaeology isis the scientific study of prehistoric the scientific study of prehistoric cultures by excavation of their remains. cultures by excavation of their remains.

Context CluesPractice

His bulging eyes were caused by the overflow of the volcano.

What does bulging mean?

A. RoundB. InfectedC. Swelling Out

Context Clues Practice

Joe’s birthday celebration did not end as he expected.

What does celebration mean?A. Decorated cakeB. Activities for a special eventC. To perform publicly

RESTATEMENT ORRESTATEMENT ORSYNONYMSYNONYM

The meaning is usually right after the The meaning is usually right after the unfamiliar word and is separated from unfamiliar word and is separated from the rest of the sentence with commas, the rest of the sentence with commas, dashes, or parentheses; dashes, or parentheses; sometimessometimes, or , or that isthat is, or , or in other wordsin other words is used. is used.

EXAMPLESEXAMPLES::**Meat eatersMeat eaters, , that isthat is carnivorescarnivores, are at the top of , are at the top of the food chainthe food chain..*The *The goslingsgoslings----those those fuzzy baby geesefuzzy baby geese----waddled waddled after their mother.after their mother.*She enjoyed *She enjoyed biologybiology ((the study of living thingsthe study of living things))..

Context ClueRiddle

Sometimes at lunch we have slowmoe. Slowmoe is a good drink. I like chocolate but some people like skim slowmoe.

What is a slowmoe?

A. Ice creamB. MilkC. pizza

Context Clues Practice

We like to go to glubnub class. Sometimes we run races or play ball. We learn the rules for different sports. Glubnub is a fun class!

What is glubnub? A. music B. art C. PE

CONTRAST ORCONTRAST OR ANTONYM ANTONYM

The unfamiliar word is shown to be different from or unlike another word, and is often an opposite; but, however, although, otherwise, unless, instead, on the contrary, on the other hand, while, never, no, or not may be used to signal contrast.

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:

**Mike’s parrot was Mike’s parrot was loquaciousloquacious, , butbut Maria’s Maria’s parrot said parrot said very littlevery little..

Context Clues Practice

My kitenight is older than anyone in my family. Sometimes we visit my kitenight and she tells us stories about our mother when she was growing up. She also bakes us great cookies.

Who is my kitenight? A. grandmother B. father C. pet

Context Clues Practice

Do you have a placenet? Dogs and cats can make good placenets. My friend Ann has a placenet named Swimmy. Ann has to feed Swimmy each day and clean the water in Swimmy’s bowl. No matter what kind of placenet you have, you have to take good care of it.

What is a placenet? A. rabbit B. fish C. pet

COMPARISONCOMPARISON

The unfamiliar word is shown to be the The unfamiliar word is shown to be the same as or like another word; same as or like another word; too, like, too, like, as, similar to,as, similar to, or or in the same wayin the same way may be may be used to signal the comparison.used to signal the comparison.

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:

*My brother is *My brother is enthralledenthralled by birds by birds similarsimilar toto the way that I am the way that I am fascinatedfascinated by by insects.insects.

CONTEXT CLUESCONTEXT CLUES PRACTICE PRACTICE

The archeologist carefully removed the tometome from its ancient resting place and proceeded to read the pages related to marriage in ancient Greece.

What does the word What does the word tometome probably mean? probably mean?

a. Pen b. weapon c. book d. sausage

CONTEXT CLUESCONTEXT CLUES PRACTICE PRACTICE

Lakes occupy less than two percent of the Earth’s surface, yet they help sustainsustain life. For instance, lakes give us fish to eat, irrigate crops, and generate electrical power.

What does the word What does the word sustain sustain probably mean? probably mean? a. support b. obstruct c. prolong d. destroy

CONTEXT CLUESCONTEXT CLUES PRACTICE PRACTICE Cont.Cont.

The ancient Greeks pioneeredpioneered many of the kinds of writing we consider standard today. They wrote speeches, plays, poems, books about science and learning, long histories of the things that happened to them.

What does the word What does the word pioneeredpioneered probably mean? probably mean?a. complicated b. developed c. destroyed d. explored

THE ENDTHE END

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?