Context clues

Context CluesContext Clues• TYEPS• With detail description

How can we figure out the How can we figure out the meaning of a word we don’t meaning of a word we don’t know?know?

Two ways to figure out the meaning of unknown word:

• 1. Context• 2. Context clues

Context

First, the contextcontext is where or how the word is being used.

Context: The sentence or paragraph where the word is located.

The context is the way the word is being used in a certain situation.

What are context clues?

Note: Copy in your notes all items with a beside them.

When we don’t know the meaning of a word . . .

We look at its context, which means we look at the other words in the sentence/paragraph.

By looking at the other words in the sentence/paragraph . . .

We can discover context clues.

Using context clues helps us determine the meaning of words we don’t know.

These context clues help us figure out the meaning of the unfamiliar word.

3 Main Types of

Context Clues

Direct Definitions

Direct Definitions• If the context clue is one of the

following: is, are, was, were, or, such as, or means, the definition will be found After the word and the context clue.

• If the context clue is: are known as, is known as, is called, or are called, the definition will be in Front of the word you need to know the meaning of.

1. Precipitation is water that falls to the earth as rain or snow.

2. Water that falls to the earth as rain or snow is called precipitation.

3. Flurries are a light snow which falls for a short time.

4. A light snow which falls for a short time is known as flurries.

5. Accumulate means to pile up.

6. In a blizzard, snow accumulates, or piles up.

“that isthat is,” commascommas, dashesdashes, andand parenthesesparentheses

a. His emaciation, that is, his skeleton-like appearance, was frightening to see.

“Skeleton-like appearance” is the definition of “emaciation.”

b. Fluoroscopy, examination with a fluoroscope, has become a common practice.

The commas before and after “examination with a fluoroscope” point out the definition of “fluoroscopy.”

c. The dudeen – a short-stemmed clay pipe – is found in Irish folk tales.

The dashes setting off “a short-stemmed clay pipe” point out the definition of “dudeen.”

Direct Definitions

•Often signaled by the word or

Example: Chaps, or protective leg coverings, are

often worn by cowboys.

Direct Definitions

•The definition of the unfamiliar word is directly provided in the context.The definition is set off by commas and the word or

Example: Chaps, or protective leg coverings, are often worn by cowboys.

Direct Definitions

•You try it!What is the direct definition context clue below?

Example: She chose to create an avatar, or cartoon image of herself,

to use on her Facebook profile.

Direct Definitions

•What is the context clue in this sentence?



Direct Definitions

•The direct definition context clue helps us determine the meaning of the unfamiliar word avatar.



Contrast Clues

Contrast Clues

• Often signaled by the words whereas, unlike, or as opposed to.

• “Unlike Jamaal’s room, which was immaculate, Jeffrey’s room was very messy.”

• “Whereas Melissa is quite lithe, her sister is clumsy and awkward.”

Contrast Clues

•Sometimes there are two things that contrast in a sentence.

•Sometimes there are two things that contrast in a sentence.

Example: My last apartment was really small, but my new one is

quite spacious.

Contrast Clues

•Small is a familiar word, but spacious may be unfamiliar


quite spacious.

Contrast Clues

•In this case, we have the conjunction but signaling a contrast


quite spacious.

Contrast Clues

•This shows us that the words are more than likely opposites (contrasting each other)


quite spacious.

Contrast Clues•To solve this problem, we look at the familiar word small and determine that spacious must mean the opposite of small


quite spacious.

Contrast Clues

•What does spacious mean?


quite spacious.

Contrast Clues

•The context clues help us to determine that spacious must mean bigThe contrasting phrases help us figure this out


quite spacious.

Contrast Clues

•You try it!Determine the meaning of the unfamiliar word dreaded

Example: At first I dreaded our move, but after I saw my new

school, I got excited!

Contrast Clues•Based on the use of the word but in the context of this sentence, we can determine that dreaded is the opposite of excited



Contrast Clues•The context clues reveal that dreaded means to fearWe can see that part of the sentence is positive (excited), so in this case, we can determine the other part of the sentence is negative (dreaded)



Contrast Clues

•Other words/phrases that signal contrast are:AlthoughHoweverOn the contraryOn the other handDissimilarIn contrast to

Cause-and-EffectSentences

Cause-and-Effect Sentences

•By looking at the two situations in the sentence, we are able to determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word.

•By looking at the two situations in the sentence, we are able to determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word.

Example: Because we lingered too long at the restaurant, we missed

the beginning of the movie.


•lingered is the unfamiliar word

The word Because shows us that there is a relationship between words here

Example: Because we lingered too long at the restaurant, we missed the

beginning of the movie.


•The context clues tell us that lingering too long at the restaurant caused them to miss their movie

•The context clues tell us that lingering too long at the restaurant caused them to miss their movie




•Based on this information, what does lingered mean?




Cause: lingered too long at the restaurantEffect: missed the movieDefinition: to stay in one place longer than expected

Cause: lingered too long at the restaurantEffect: missed the movieDefinition: to stay in one place longer than expected




•You try it!Determine the meaning of the word consequence

Example: Because she chose to not do her homework, Stacey received a consequence from her teacher.

Cause-and-Effect Revision

• The author explains the reason for or the result of the word. Words like “because,” “since,” “therefore,” “thus,” “so,” etc. may signal context clues.

• She wanted to impress all her dinner guests with the food she served, so she carefully studied the necessary culinary arts.

“Culinary” means “food preparation.”

Cause-and-Effect SentencesCause: chose to not do her homeworkEffect: received a consequenceDefinition: the result of another action (in this context, a punishment)

Example: Because she chose to not do her homework, Stacey received a consequence from her teacher.

Overall Review

Context clues help us determine the meaning of unfamiliar words

The 3 main types of context clues are direct definition, contrast clues, and cause-and-effect sentences

Source: http://www.georgiastandards.org

You Try It!

• Copy the sentences on the next slide• Circle the context clues in each sentence• Label each either direct definition, contrast

clue, or cause-and-effect sentence• Write an inferred meaning for each word

Copy the sentence, circle the context clue, and label it one of the following: direct definition,

contrast clue, or cause-and-effect sentence. Then, write the inferred meaning of the word.

The detective Scrutinized examined closely, the evidence in the case.

Direct Definition

The detective scrutinized, or examined closely, the evidence in the case.

Since it’s a direct definition example, the meaning is given to us as being “examined closely.”

Let’s try another one . . .



Although the irate basketball player tried to argue, the referee remained calm.

Contrast ClueAlthough the irate basketball player tried to

argue, the referee remained calm.

Since contrast is being shown here, we know that irate must mean the opposite of calm. The inferred meaning of irate is upset or out of control.




I have always been very satisfied with my long distance phone service; however, my friend has had a horr endo us experience with hers.

Contrast ClueI have always been very satisfied with my long

distance phone service; however, my friend has had a horrendous experience with hers.

The word however signals contrast here. Since one person had a positive experience (satisfied), then a horrendous experience must be a bad or terrible experience.

let’s try another one . . .

Copy the sentence, circle the context clue, and label it one of the following: direct

definition, contrast clue, or cause-and-effect sentence. Then, write the inferred meaning

of the word.

The detective’s 2 years of experience contributed to his Sagacity, or wisdom, in how to solve crimes.

Direct DefinitionThe detective’s 20 years of experience

contributed to his sagacity, or wisdom, in how to solve crimes.

Sagacity means “wisdom” based on the direct definition context clue provided. This is signaled by the word “or.”




Because of her inability to decipher the word problem, the young girl was embarrassed when her teacher asked for her answer.

Cause-and-Effect SentenceBecause of her inability to decipher the word

problem, the young girl was embarrassed when her teacher asked for her answer.

Cause: inability to decipher the word problemEffect: embarrassed when her teacher asked for

her answerMeaning: We can infer that decipher must mean

“figure out” based on the cause-and-effect scenario

Independent Practice• Jubilant means showing great joy or

satisfaction.

• Write three sentences using the word jubilant as the unfamiliar word. Use your notes as a guide.

• Make sure you use a different type of context clue for each sentence to demonstrate your understanding: direct definition, contrast clue, cause-and-effect clue

33 Main Types Main Types of of Context Context CluesClues

Example cluesExample clues

E xample CluesE xample Clues The context of a word will The context of a word will

sometimes give examples that will sometimes give examples that will give you a pretty clear idea of give you a pretty clear idea of meaning. These are usually marked meaning. These are usually marked by the wordsby the words: : Fox exampleFox example, , for for instanceinstance and and Such as Such as and and IncludingIncluding..

a. Piscatorial creatures, a. Piscatorial creatures, such as such as flounder, salmon, and trout, live in flounder, salmon, and trout, live in the coldest parts of the ocean.the coldest parts of the ocean.

““Piscatorial” obviously refers to fish.Piscatorial” obviously refers to fish.b. Celestial bodies, b. Celestial bodies, includingincluding the sun, the sun,

moon, and stars, have fascinated moon, and stars, have fascinated man through the centuries.man through the centuries.

“ “Celestial” objects are those in the Celestial” objects are those in the sky or heavens.sky or heavens.

c. . In the course of man’s evolution, certain In the course of man’s evolution, certain organs have atrophied. The appendixorgans have atrophied. The appendix, for , for example, example, has wasted away from disuse.has wasted away from disuse.

“ “Atrophied” means “wasted away.”Atrophied” means “wasted away.”

Note:Note:Sometime these words are not located in the Sometime these words are not located in the

sentence or paragraph, instead other sentence or paragraph, instead other supportive words worked as an example supportive words worked as an example clues.clues.

Today was a day of Today was a day of turmoilturmoil at work at work the phones were constantly ringing, the phones were constantly ringing, people were running back and forth, people were running back and forth, and several offices were being and several offices were being painted.painted.

Changes in such Changes in such abilities as learning, abilities as learning, reasoning, thinking, and languagreasoning, thinking, and language e are aspects of are aspects of cognitivecognitive developmentdevelopment..

• Children who move to a foreign Children who move to a foreign countrycountry adapt adapt much more easily much more easily than their parents, than their parents, soon picking up the language and customs of their new home.

Synonym CluesSynonym Clues

A context clue is often available in A context clue is often available in the form of a the form of a synonym: a word synonym: a word that means the that means the same or almost same or almost the same as the unknown word. A the same as the unknown word. A synonym may appear anywhere in synonym may appear anywhere in a passage to provide the same a passage to provide the same meaning as the unknown word.meaning as the unknown word.

a. Flooded with spotlights – a. Flooded with spotlights – the focus of all the focus of all attention attention – the new Miss America began her – the new Miss America began her year-long reign. She was the year-long reign. She was the cynosurecynosure of all of all eyes for the rest of the evening.eyes for the rest of the evening.

“ “Cynosure” means “the focus of all attention.”Cynosure” means “the focus of all attention.”

b. The mountain pass was ab. The mountain pass was a tortuoustortuous road, road, winding and twisting winding and twisting like a snake around thelike a snake around the

trees of the mountainside.trees of the mountainside.

c. Fresh garlic may not c. Fresh garlic may not enhanceenhance the the breath, but it certainly doesbreath, but it certainly does improveimprove spaghetti sauce.spaghetti sauce.

Enhance means “improve.”Enhance means “improve.”d. As soon as I made ad. As soon as I made a flippant flippant remark to remark to

my boss, I regretted sounding so my boss, I regretted sounding so disrespectfuldisrespectful..

• Flippant means “disrespectful.”Flippant means “disrespectful.”

Antonym CluesAntonym Clues

An antonym—a word that means the opposite of another word—is also a useful context clue. Antonyms are often signaled by words and phrases such as Although, however, except, but, yet, on the other hand, and in contrast.

He tried to smile because the mood of the party was not somber, but happy.

When the light brightens, the pupils of the eyes contract; however, when it grows darker, they dilate.

“Dilate” means the opposite o f “ contract

The children were as different as day and night. He was a lively conversationalist, but she was reserved and taciturn.

Taciturn ” means the opposite of a “lively conversationalist. ”

“It’s a special hearing aid. It It’s a special hearing aid. It lowers lowers Criticism and Criticism and amplifies amplifies compliments.”compliments.”

Sometimes the way a sentence is Sometimes the way a sentence is put together will tell you what put together will tell you what you are looking for the opposite you are looking for the opposite of a word or idea that is found in of a word or idea that is found in one half of the sentence.one half of the sentence.

If you can’t find anything to If you can’t find anything to praisepraise in the class, at least don’t in the class, at least don’t denouncedenounce it.it.

• Sometimes it takes a bit more Sometimes it takes a bit more detective work to puzzle out the detective work to puzzle out the meaning of an unfamiliar word. In meaning of an unfamiliar word. In such cases, such cases, you must draw you must draw conclusions based on the conclusions based on the information given with the wordinformation given with the word. . Askin g yourself questions Askin g yourself questions about the passage about the passage may help you may help you make a fairly accurate guess about make a fairly accurate guess about the meaning of the unfamiliar word.the meaning of the unfamiliar word.

““I’d like a I’d like a prescriptionprescription that will alleviate that will alleviate my aches and pains and also make me my aches and pains and also make me younger and thinner.”younger and thinner.”

• To figure out the meaning of alleviate, try asking this question: What would the patient want the prescription to do to his aches and pains? Answer: Answer: The patient’s words to his doctor strongly suggest that alleviate means “lessen.”

A former employee, irate over having been fired, broke into the plant and deliberately wrecked several machines. (What would be the employee’s state of mind?)

Answer: Answer: Having been fired, broke into the plant and deliberately wrecked several machines.

irate means “very angry

The car wash we organized to raise funds was a fiasco—it rained allday.(How successful would a car wash be on a rainy day?)

• Answer: Answer: It rained all dayIt rained all day…..…..

Fiasco is a “complete disaster

Prepared by Prepared by

• Rizwan Maqsood• Master in English Literature &

Applied Linguistics(2012)• National University of Modern

Languages, Islamabad, Pakistan

Context clues

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