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Page 1: Using context clues to help determine the meaning of words

Using context clues to help determine the meaning of words

Page 2: Using context clues to help determine the meaning of words

What is a Context Clue?

Context clues are bits of information from the text that, when combined with prior knowledge, allow you to make an intelligent guess about the meaning of unknown words

Page 3: Using context clues to help determine the meaning of words

Example

Here's an example: Sue's boss was a callous man. He did not react to her tears and apologies.

From the context you know that a callous man does not react to tears and apologies. Callous means “hard-hearted” or "insensitive to emotion."

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Your turnWhen Harry's boss went on a maternity leave, Harry became the interim department head. He handled employee payroll for the three months she was away.

What do you think “interim” means?

What clues helped you to guess at the meaning?

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Types of Context Clues1) DEFINITION: The meaning of the unfamiliar word is stated in the sentence.A person who is afraid of crowds has agoraphobia.

2) EXAMPLE: The unfamiliar word is explained through examples.He was zealous. Once, he sat on the courthouse steps for a week to get the city to change a law.

3) RESTATEMENT: The unfamiliar word is shown to be similar to a familiar word.She was adroit at her job in that she could finish it in half the time of her coworkers.

4) CONTRAST: The unfamiliar word is shown to be different, or the opposite, from a familiar word.Some liked his laconic speeches. Then again, others preferred longer and more detailed orations.

5) CAUSE & EFFECT: The unfamiliar word’s meaning can be inferred from cause-and-effect relationships in the text.He had a proclivity for getting into trouble, resulting in frequent detentions.

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Practice: Using Context Clues withLord of the Flies

Task: Complete the worksheet provided for each chapter of the novel.

For each chapter:a) Determine the meaning of the word providedb) Record one sentence that contains an unfamiliar word and try to determine its meaning


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