Context- "the parts of a written or spoken statement that precede or follow a specific word or passage, usually influencing its meaning or effect" - Dictionary.com
What are context clues?
Context clues are words and phrases in the context that help you understand something.
Examples:
The permeable sponge soaked up all the water.
By context we can tell permeable is an attribute of the sponge. We can infer that permeable means something that somewhat can absorb water.
Jeanne always sits alone in the corner talking to no one and always on her phone. She is very aloof.
Aloof must be someone that is antisocial.
By context we can tell permeable is an attribute of the sponge. We can infer that permeable means something that somewhat can absorb water.
Jeanne always sits alone in the corner talking to no one and always on her phone. She is very aloof.
Aloof must be someone that is antisocial.
Types of Context Clues
Definition or Restatement:
Hank is always nice to people he doesn't know. He is very friendly and cheerful, which is genial.
Friendly and cheerful is the definition of genial.
Synonym and Comparison
Joann is very comical, or facetious.
Comical is a synonym for facetious.
Louie is very enraged, like an angry Italian.
You can tell enraged is being compared to an angry Italian.
Antonym or Contrast
Joe is very resolute while on the contrary Smith is halfhearted.
Joe is being contrasted to Smith and the antonym of resolute is halfhearted.
Example
Many people waver in their decisions. For example: Alex cannot make up his mind on which flavor ice cream he wants to get.
An example of waver is being used to clarify the definition.
Cause-and-Effect
Due to Ali's inappropriate conduct, he was excised from the school.
It can be assumed that excised was the consequence of Ali's inappropriate conduct.
Hank is always nice to people he doesn't know. He is very friendly and cheerful, which is genial.
Friendly and cheerful is the definition of genial.
Synonym and Comparison
Joann is very comical, or facetious.
Comical is a synonym for facetious.
Louie is very enraged, like an angry Italian.
You can tell enraged is being compared to an angry Italian.
Antonym or Contrast
Joe is very resolute while on the contrary Smith is halfhearted.
Joe is being contrasted to Smith and the antonym of resolute is halfhearted.
Example
Many people waver in their decisions. For example: Alex cannot make up his mind on which flavor ice cream he wants to get.
An example of waver is being used to clarify the definition.
Cause-and-Effect
Due to Ali's inappropriate conduct, he was excised from the school.
It can be assumed that excised was the consequence of Ali's inappropriate conduct.
Tips to help you find the meaning of an unknown word.
First, see if any of the types of context clues can be applied in the context. Then, try substituting the word with the unknown word. If it makes sense in relevance to the text, it should be correct.
You can also figure out the part of speech. It would be easier for you to depict the meaning of the word if you knew it was an adjective or a noun etc.
You can also try substituting the synonyms or antonyms of the word to see if it makes sense.
Don't just look at the same sentence. Look at the text around for clues that relate to the word.
You can also figure out the part of speech. It would be easier for you to depict the meaning of the word if you knew it was an adjective or a noun etc.
You can also try substituting the synonyms or antonyms of the word to see if it makes sense.
Don't just look at the same sentence. Look at the text around for clues that relate to the word.
Some words may have more than one meaning...
If your not sure about what a word means or if it has multiple meanings, try finding the part of speech. Also, use the context clues and try substituting the word with it's synonyms or antonyms to see if it makes sense. If all else fails, you can always use a dictionary.
Now you are ready to take my assessment. Use a dictionary only when specified. At the end of the quiz, click the button labelled "Answers" to direct you to the answers.
1. What is the definition of context?
2. What are some ways to find context clues?
3. What is the meaning of menacing as it is used in the sentence?
I glanced at the menacing thug. He has a big scary gun and cold devilish eyes.
menacing
A.Threatening
B.Big
C.Fat
D.Loud
4. What is a synonym for the word famished as it is used in the sentence?
He look famished; it looked as if he could devour the whole Thanksgiving dinner!
A.Hungry
B.Tired
C.Angry
D.Homeless
5. What is an antonym for the word repercussion as it is used in the sentence?
The repercussion of Jamie skipping class resulted in one week of detention.
A.Consequence
B.Result
C.Effect
D.Reward
2. What are some ways to find context clues?
3. What is the meaning of menacing as it is used in the sentence?
I glanced at the menacing thug. He has a big scary gun and cold devilish eyes.
menacing
A.Threatening
B.Big
C.Fat
D.Loud
4. What is a synonym for the word famished as it is used in the sentence?
He look famished; it looked as if he could devour the whole Thanksgiving dinner!
A.Hungry
B.Tired
C.Angry
D.Homeless
5. What is an antonym for the word repercussion as it is used in the sentence?
The repercussion of Jamie skipping class resulted in one week of detention.
A.Consequence
B.Result
C.Effect
D.Reward
"i used this skill various times when reading difficult texts and on demand ASSESSMENTS."