Context Clues

1. Context Clues By Mr. Gonzalez Language Arts and Reading Teacher

2. Hey…What does that word mean?!? • When you read, do you occasionally come across a word you do not know? • How would you figure out the meaning of a word? • What if you did not have a dictionary?

3. What are Context Clues? • Context clues are words in the same sentence or passage that gives you clues to what an unfamiliar word means. • These clues will help you understand the meaning of the unknown word in a story or passage.

4. Five Types of Context Clues There are five types of context clues: • Definition context clues • Synonym context clues • Antonym context clues • Description or Example context clues • Visual context clues

5. Definition Context Clues • The author includes a definition to help the reader understand the meaning of a word. • The verbs “is,” “are,” or “to be” are signals indicating that the definition of the word can be found within the sentence. • These verb forms are usually found between the unknown word and its definition.

6. Definition Context Clues Example: The Eskimo was having difficulty climbing up the pingo, or Artic hill. • In this example, the author gave the definition of a pingo, which is an Artic hill.

7. Synonym Context Clues • When the author includes a synonym (a word that means the same or about the same) for the unknown word. • The word “like” or “or” can be a signal words indicating a synonym context clue within the sentence. Signal words are not always used, so don’t rely on them.

8. Synonym Context Clues Example: After seeing the picture of the starving children, we all felt compassion or pity for their suffering. • In the example, the author gives you the word “pity,” which is a synonym for “compassion.”

9. Antonym Context Clues • An antonym context clue is when the author gives an antonym (a word that means the opposite) for the unknown word. • The words “not” or “but” are signal words indicating that the antonym of the word can be found within the sentence.

10. Antonym Context Clues Example: Most birds are herbivores, not meat eaters. • Because the sentence uses an obvious antonym, a good reader will understand that herbivores eat plants instead of meat.

11. Description or Example Context Clues • The author includes one or more examples or descriptions to help the reader understand the unknown word. • Look for words and phrases like “such as,” “including,” “forexample,” and “consistsof.” • Colons (:) and dashes (-) are also signal descriptions or examples.

12. Description or Example Context Clues Example: The Native American gave the wounded soldier a cardamom potion. The herb’s strong smell was enough to cure the hurt man. • You can gather from the second sentence that cardamom must be an herb used for medicine.

13. Visual Context Clues • The author includes a picture, drawing, chart, graph, or other type of visual to help the reader understand the meaning of a word. • Always read the sentence first, then look at the photo, drawing, chart, or graph for a clue to the unknown word.

14. Visual Context Clues Example: Peggy had an exultant look on her face. • You can tell by the picture that exultant means happy.

15. Context Clues and Meanings … • Our Girl Scout troop took an excursion, a short journey, to a museum. • What type of context clue is being used? An example context clue is being used. • What does “excursion” mean? A. Trip B. Class C. Paintings D. Lunch

16. Context Clues and Meanings … • Our Girl Scout troop took an excursion, a short journey, to a museum. • What type of context clue is being used? An example context clue is being used. • What does “excursion” mean? A.TripB. Class C. Paintings D. Lunch

17. Context Clues and Meanings … • Jerry is very clumsy, but his sister Jenny is adroit. • What type of context clue is being used? An antonym context clue is being used. • What does “adroit” mean? A. Pretty B. Robot C. Graceful D. Smart

18. Context Clues and Meanings … • Jerry is very clumsy, but his sister Jenny is adroit. • What type of context clue is being used? An antonym context clue is being used. • What does “adroit” mean? A. Pretty B. Robot C.GracefulD. Smart

19. Context Clues and Meanings … • The harlequin, like the circus clown, is a clown who likes to perform. • What type of context clue is being used? A synonym context clue is being used. • What does “harlequin” mean? A. Book B. Clown C. Shadow D. Animal

20. Context Clues and Meanings … • The harlequin, like the circus clown, is a clown who likes to perform. • What type of context clue is being used? A synonym context clue is being used. • What does “harlequin” mean? A. Book B. Clown C. Shadow D. Animal

21. Context Clues and Meanings … • The infuriated man could not figure out his laptop computer. • What type of context clue is being used? A visual context clue is being used. • What does “infuriated” mean? A. Sad B. Confused C. Happy D. Angry

22. Context Clues and Meanings … • The infuriated man could not figure out his laptop computer. • What type of context clue is being used? A visual context clue is being used. • What does “infuriated” mean? A. Sad B. Confused C. Happy D. Angry