Context Clues

Look for the Clues

What does context mean?

A word’s context is the words, phrases, andsentences that surround it. If you look

closely at the context of an unknown word, you often

get clues about that words meaning.

Look for:• Synonyms• Antonyms• Definitions• Examples• Read Surrounding Sentences• When ALL ELSE FAILS use a Dictionary

Look for SynonymsWatch for words that repeat the same

meaning. From “Boys Against Girls” by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor: What does precocious mean?

Just because she was supposed to be super smart – “precocious,” the grown-ups

called it – didn’t mean he had to like her. You probably see that super smart and

precocious both mean the same thing. In this sentence super smart and precocious are synonyms.

Look for AntonymsWatch for words with opposite meanings.Sometimes authors use them to make a point. From “ Nomi and the Magic Fish” by Judy

Sierra:

When Nomi was a little girl, her mother died, and her father married another woman. This woman had a daughter called Nomsa. Nomi was a beautiful, tall child, but Nomsa was very short and ugly. 

The author uses two pair of antonyms to show that Nomi and Nomsa looked very different from each other.

Look for DefinitionsWatch for definitions defined near a word.Sometimes you’ll see words and phrases – such

as or, that is, and in other words – with a definition right after it in parentheses. From “Census Surprise!” from Junior Scholastic:What does census mean?The U.S. Census Bureau conducts a census

(people count) every ten years. Since 1960, the population growth rate had been slowing down. But no longer.

Notice that the meaning of the word census is given right after it in parentheses.

Look for ExamplesWatch for examples that explain what a wordmeans. Examples often follow words or phrases,such as for example, such as, like, and especially. From “Boys Against Girls” by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor: What is an abaguchie?Actually, nobody knew if there was an abaguchie in

Buckman at all, and if there was, just what kind of creature it was. For several years various people in Upshur County claimed to have seen a large animal, something like a cat, lurking around in the shadows, running along the edge of the woods, or even crawling about under somebody’s window.

The word abaguchie is unfamiliar, but you soon learn that it’s a “creature,” “a large animal, something like a cat.”

Read Surrounding Sentences

Look closely at the sentence containing the word,

as well as the sentences that come before and after

it. 

From “The Sultan’s Perfect Tree” by Jane Yolan: What does blemish mean?There was a sultan who loved perfection. In his palace he would allow only the most perfect things. Each fruit that he ate had to be without blemish. Each cup that he drank had to be without flaw.

By reading the whole passage, you learn that the word blemish means “a flaw”. Something that is perfect would not have a blemish.

What to do when context clue strategies don’t help?

Sometimes we still don’t understand the meaning of a word even after looking for synonyms, antonyms, definitions, examples,

and reading surrounding sentences.

When ALL of these strategies fail – use a dictionary.

PracticeGive the meaning and the type of context clue used to find the meaning of the red word(s).

A Vicarious Journey By Menkeli Kanaa, 2003

I would like to take you on a vicarious trip, a trip

I want you to experience through my description, to Tanzania. I visited Tanzania

with five other teachers this summer, and I can

truly claim that it was the most memorable summer I ’ve had. I doubt I will ever forget it.

Word: vicariousType: DefinitionMeaning: experience through a description, not personal experience

Word: memorableType: DefinitionMeaning: never forget; stay in memory

PracticeGive the meaning and the type of context

clue used to find the meaning of the red word(s).

• The old Maasai told us stories that teach many things about life and death, bravery and fear, vengeance and forgiveness.

• When going to a party you should show your best decorum by dressing your best, drinking and eating moderately, and thanking your host before you leave.

Type: AntonymMeaning: revenge; punish someone

Type: ExampleMeaning: using good manners

PracticeGive the meaning and the type of context clue used to find the meaning of the red word(s).

• Carly is fond of trite, worn-out expressions in her writing. Her favorite is “You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.”

• Animals adapt to the environments they live in. Some animals live in the Arctic where it is very cold and their fur keeps them warm. Other animals live in the ocean, or in ponds, streams, lakes, and rivers. They use gills to breath.

Type: SynonymMeaning: worn out; overused

Type: Read Surrounding Sentences or ExamplesMeaning: how a living animal changes to survive in their environment

PracticeGive the meaning and the type of context

clue used to find the meaning of the red word(s).

• The snake slithered through the grass. The grass parted as he hunted.

• Josie received a bauble for Christmas from her great aunt. This she put with her others, a pair of imitation earrings, a fake emerald pendant, and a ring that looked like a ruby.

Type: Read Surrounding SentenceMeaning: moved; slide from side to side

Type: ExampleMeaning: jewelry

PracticeGive the meaning and the type of context clue used to find the meaning of the red word(s).

• I took the tome off the shelf and opened it. The book will take me a long time to read.

• Joe was reluctant to take on the position of captain of the basketball team. He was afraid that the time it would take would hurt his grades. On the other hand, Billy was eager for the chance to be captain. He thought that being captain of the team would make him very popular in school.

Type: SynonymMeaning: book

Type: AntonymMeaning: do not want to do something

Practice

For more practice with context clues go to:

http://www.fcatexplorer.com/parent/4gr/en/tipslister/question_tip_space.asp?src=tip104a.swf