Context CluesThere are 4 common types on context clues:

1. Examples2. Synonyms3. Antonyms4. General Sense of the Sentence or Passage

Antonym a word or phrase that means the opposite of another word.They are signaled by words and phrases such as

HoweverButYetOn the other handIn contrastOr two other points of view will be

introduced

Example Sentences- What is the context clue?

He was born in a very wealthy family, but he died in an indigent one.

BUT- Which two words mean the opposite?

He was born in a very wealthy family, but he died in an indigent one.

Wealthy and IndigentHe was born in a very wealthy family, but he died in an indigent one.

Then…….what does indigent mean?

POOR!!!New Sentence

Your science project is much more elaborate than mine. In fact, mine looks quite simple when compared to yours.

Which two points of view are being expressed?

Your science project is much more elaborate than mine. In fact, mine looks quite simple when compared to yours.

What is my science project like?Your science project is much more elaborate than mine. In fact, mine looks quite simple when compared to yours.

Your science project is much more elaborate than mine. In fact, mine looks quite simple when compared to yours.

Sooooooo……what is your science project???

Your science project is much more elaborate than mine. In fact, mine looks quite simple when compared to yours.

It is the opposite of simple.

Complex

Complicated

Last ExampleA memo that is brief and to the point is more likely to be read than one that is verbose and rambling.

Memo 1 Memo 2Brief and to the point verbose

Argumentative WordyShort

WORDYBlah blah blah blah blah blah

General Sense of the Sentence or PassageDraw conclusions based on the information given with the word.

Ask yourself questions about the passage.

Look for the logic of a sentence/passage and make connections.

Look at the cartoon below. To understand the meaning of opportune, ask yourself: Is this a good time for the boss to tell the injured worker that he’s been fired?

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUESGeneral Sense of the Sentence or Passage

“This may not be the opportune time to tell

you this, Cranston, but you’re fired.”

Look at the cartoon below. To understand the meaning of opportune, ask yourself: Is this a good time for the boss to tell the injured worker that he’s been fired?

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUESGeneral Sense of the Sentence or Passage

“This may not be the opportune time to tell

you this, Cranston, but you’re fired.”

Since the boss realizes that “this may not be the opportune time,” his words to Cranston strongly suggest that opportune means “suitable.”

Read the sentence below. Then think about the question that follows to figure out the meaning of rectified.

One argument against capital punishment is that if an innocent person is executed, the mistake cannot be rectified.

Rectified means A. remembered. B. predicted. C. corrected.

(What cannot be done about a mistake as final as an execution?)

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUESGeneral Sense of the Sentence or Passage

Read the sentence below. Then think about the question that follows to figure out the meaning of rectified.

One argument against capital punishment is that if an innocent person is executed, the mistake cannot be rectified.

Rectified means A. remembered. B. predicted. C. corrected.

(What cannot be done about a mistake as final as an execution?)

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUESGeneral Sense of the Sentence or Passage

Because the innocent person is dead, there is no way to correct the mistake of having executed the person.

Read the sentence below. Then think about the question that follows to figure out the meaning of extricate.

It took two days for volunteers to extricate the little girl from the bottom of the well.

Extricate means A. free. B. delay. C. remember.

(How would volunteers try to help the trapped girl?)

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUESGeneral Sense of the Sentence or Passage

Read the sentence below. Then think about the question that follows to figure out the meaning of extricate.

It took two days for volunteers to extricate the little girl from the bottom of the well.

Extricate means A. free. B. delay. C. remember.

(How would volunteers try to help the trapped girl?)

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUESGeneral Sense of the Sentence or Passage

If the girl is at the bottom of a well, the volunteers would try to free her.

Example-A former employee, irate because he was fired, broke into the office and destroyed all the computers.

How would you feel if you got fired?What kind of person breaks into an office and destroys computers?

A former employee, irate because he was fired, broke into the office and destroyed all the computers.

An angry person!!!

Next Example

Jeong Il and Nagisa thought they would stay good friends forever. But after graduation, their lives diverged: Nagisa got a boyfriend, and Jeong Il moved to Spain.

What was their relationship like after graduation?

A. Came togetherB. ImprovedC. Went in different directions.Jeong Il and Nagisa thought they would stay good friends forever. But after graduation, their lives diverged: Nagisa got a boyfriend, and Jeong Il moved to Spain.

Went in different directions