AHSGE Objective IV-1

Determine Meaningof Words

When you read, you can use context clues to determine the meaning of words you do not know.

The words, phrases, and sentences surrounding the unfamiliar word provide clues to the word’s meaning.

Context Clues

There are several types of context

clues that can help you determine a word’s meaning.

Synonyms

The recipe says to emulsify the lemon juice, vinegar, and oil by blending them.

Emulsify and blend are synonyms.

The word emulsify means to mix different substances together.

AntonymsThe man was especially

churlish, but his wife was extremely polite.

Churlish and polite are antonyms.

The word churlish means rude or unpleasant.

Cause and Effect Matthew got all A’s on his report

card, so he wasn’t surprised when his mom acceded to his request to go to the concert.

Matthew made an effort at school. (cause)His mom will agree to give him special privileges. (effect)

The word acceded means to give permission.

Compare and Contrast When I was a small child, I was

terrified of a monster under my bed, but now I realize that was merely a chimera.

Children have great imaginations and fears, while grownups are more rational. (contrast)

The word chimera is a figment or creation of the imagination.

Word Parts (prefixes, suffixes, roots)

After I finished my story, he had an incredulous look on his face.

The prefix in- means “not.” The Latin root cred means “believe.”

The word incredulous means not able to believe or trust.

Read the following story.Indian Summer

Notkikad worked hard for his family. He cultivated his gardens and always gave thanks for each year’s harvest to Tabaldak, the Master oflife. One year a late frost killed his crops.

Undeterred, he plantedagain, but a drought came and his crops died of thirst.He planted a third time, butit was so late that the autumn cold killed his plants again.

Notkikad’s wife and children

had gathered some foods

from the forest, but it was

not enough to last the winter.

So he begged Tabaldak for

help.

That night, Tabaldak came to Notkikad in adream, telling him, “I give you these seeds and a special season forplanting.”

When he awoke,Notkikad found theseeds beside him, and he discovered the autumn weather had turned summer-like.

Notkikad and his

Family planted the

seeds and within a few

days, the plants were

ready for harvest.

The day after Notkikadhad collected the cropsand stored them, the cold winds returned, andthe special season ended.

We are still often granted this

special season, which we call

Indian Summer. It is not only

a time of respite when the

brisk autumn winds temporarily

let up and provide a break from

the cold, but also a time to give

thanks.

Answer the following questions.

1. What is the meaning of the word undeterred as it is used in the story?

A. Discouraged

B. Determined

C. Frightened

D. content

1. What is the meaning of the word undeterred as it is used in the story?

A. Discouraged

B. Determined

C. Frightened

D. content

2. Read the following sentence from the story.

It is not only a time of respite when the brisk winds of autumn temporarily let up and provide a break from the cold, but also a time to give thanks.

What does the word

respite mean as it is used

here?

A. Lull

B. Restless

C. Celebration

D. gratification

What does the wordrespite mean as it is used here?A. LullB. RestlessC. CelebrationD. gratification