Context CluesVocabulary in Context

How to hunt down the meaning of a word by using the clues around

it.

Created by: MRS. COLIADIS

I CAN FIGURE OUT THE MEANING OF NEW WORDS BY USING CONTEXT CLUES

Fill in the Blank:

That package is too ______________for William to carry byhimself.

heavy makes sense!

A package that is heavy or big is usually hard to carry. These words make sense in the sentence.

What are Context Clues?

Words, phrases or other sentences that come before or after an unfamiliar word.

Context is the setting in which a word appears. Think of context as meaning the neighborhood in which a word lives.

How Does Vocabulary in Context Work?

You Follow The Clues….. Most writers leave context clues as they write. It is our job as the reader to hunt them down!

Video Link

CONTEXT CLUES

Some Types:

• The meaning is clearly given

• An example is given- “for example”

• Other words describe the word

• The meaning is restated (synonyms)- “or”

Types of Context Clues

The meaning is clearly given

The goats lived at the timberline. A timberline is where trees stop growing on a mountainside.

Types of Context Clues

An example is given…

Many animals migrate to warmer places each autumn. For example, some hummingbirds fly to Mexico.

Migrate means to move or go to another place.

Types of Context Clues

Other words help describe the word…

The lame elk was injured and limping.

Lame means injured or hurt.

Types of Context Clues

The meaning is restated… (synonyms)

The outwitted, or outsmarted, the zoo keeper.

So, outwitted means outsmarted!

When you come across a word you don’t know…think like a

good word sleuth….

How is the word used in the sentenceor paragraph?

What other words in the sentence suggestpossible meanings?

What clues can I find?

Use context clues….

When Abe Lincoln was a small boy, he wore clothes that were made at home. His woolen socks were knitted by hand. Even the cloth for his shirts was woven at home. Abe’s breeches were made of deerskin. However, it was not good to wear these breeches in the rain. If they got wet, they shrank. Abe had a mark on each leg from breeches that got too tight in the rain!

Breeches are…

pants

Most small children are forbidden to cross the street without an

adult. A. helped

B. told not to

C. forced

Unlucky.

Try again. Click on the button to return to the

sentence.

Great !

Click on the button to continue.

Tracy buttoned her cardigan to keep warm at the game.

A. sweater

B. pajamas

C. boots

Unlucky.

Try again. Click on the button to return to the

sentence.

Great !

Click on the button to continue.

The autumn morning dew left the playground damp.

A. clumps of snow

B. pieces of ice

C. drops of water

Unlucky.

Try again. Click on the button to return to the

sentence.

Great !

Click on the button to continue.

Dad likes to relax on the sofa after he takes us swimming.

A. jump

B. rest

C. sleep

Unlucky.

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sentence.

Great !

Click on the button to continue.

Our team must be united , if we want to win the championship.

A. working together

B. awake

C. dressed up

Unlucky.

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sentence.

Great !

Click on the button to continue.

I remember that type of butterfly by its distinct

markings. A. yellow

B. special

C. dirty

Unlucky.

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sentence.

Great !

Click on the button to continue.

The balloon burst as it brushed against the brick wall.

A. flew higher

B. got away

C. popped

Unlucky.

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sentence.

Great !

Click on the button to continue.

Some Native Americans made their dwellings in the rocks.

A. shoes

B. blankets

C. homes

Unlucky.

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sentence.

Great !

Click on the button to continue.

The tarantula spider has tiny bristles on its legs that can prick

its enemy. A. spots

B. sharp hairs

C. teeth

Unlucky.

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sentence.

Great !

Click on the button to continue.

The boulder rolled down the hill and blocked the road.

A. a large rock

B. a person

C. a small rock

Unlucky.

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sentence.

Great !

Click on the button to continue.

The artist created a sculpture out of clay.

A. a costume

B. a poster

C. a statue

Unlucky.

Try again. Click on the button to return to the

sentence.

Congratulations! You are now

a “word sleuth!”