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Macbeth Act One Assessment Preparation: Context Clues In most assessments, you must infer (make an educated guess) the meanings of words by looking at context clues, or clues within an entire line, sentence, or paragraph. You must look at how the word is used in order to make an inference.

Part A Directions: For each of the following vocabulary words from Act One, first indicate the part of speech in which the vocabulary word in bold appears (noun, verb, etc.) in the lines from the text. Then provide a synonym for the vocabulary word based upon the clues. (If you need further clarification, read a few lines before and after the vocabulary word). For c., look up the word and write down the dictionary definition. How accurate is your inference? For d., now that you know the correct definition, explain how the context clues aid (or don‘t aid) you in understanding the meaning of the sentence.

Ex. King Duncan: What bloody man is that? He can report, / As seemeth by his plight, of the revolt/ The newest state. (Sc. 1) a. Part of Speech: noun b. Synonym based on Inference: appearance c. Definition: n. a difficult or dangerous situation or predicament d. Explanation: I can see that I was just assuming that because he was bloody, Duncan was referring to the blood on him. Since plight refers to the situation he has been in, I can see that Duncan is referring to everything the man has been through (i.e. the battle).

1. Captain: For brave Macbeth – well he deserves that name – / Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel, / Which smoked with bloody execution, / Like valor‘s minion carved out his passage / Till he faced the slave (Sc. 2)

a. Part of Speech:

b. Synonym based on Inference:

c. Definition:

d. Explanation:

2. First Witch: Weary sev‘nights, nine times nine, / Shall he dwindle, peak, and pine. (Sc. 3)

a. Part of Speech:

b. Synonym based on Inference:

c. Definition:

d. Explanation:

3. Banquo: What are these, / So withered and so wild in their attire / That look not like the‘ inhabitants o‘ th‘ earth / And yet are on ‘t? (Sc. 3)

a. Part of Speech:

b. Synonym based on Inference:

c. Definition:

d. Explanation:

4. Macbeth: Say from whence / You owe this strange intelligence, or why / Upon this blasted heath you stop our way / With such prophetic greeting. (Sc. 3)

a. Part of Speech:

b. Synonym based on Inference:

c. Definition:

d. Explanation:

Part B Directions: For each of the following vocabulary words from Act One, look up the word in bold and write down the dictionary definition. For b., now that you know the correct definition, explain how the context clues aid (or don‘t aid) you in understanding the meaning of the sentence.

1. Macbeth: Think upon what hath chanced, and at more time, / The interim having weighed it, let us speak / Our free hearts each to other. (Sc. 4)

a. Definition:

b. Explanation:

2. Malcolm: But I have spoke / With one that saw him die, who did report / That very frankly he confessed his treasons, implored your highness‘ pardon, and set forth / A deep repentance. (Sc. 4)

a. Definition:

b. Explanation:

3. Duncan: O worthiest cousin / The sin of my ingratitude even now / Was heavy on me. (Sc. 4)

a. Definition:

b. Explanation: