CONTEXT CLUESCONTEXT CLUES BYBY

Mr. Gonzalez Mr. Gonzalez

Language Arts & Reading Language Arts & Reading TeacherTeacher

John I. Smith K-12 Center John I. Smith K-12 Center

Title: Context Clues UnitTitle: Context Clues Unit The students will be able to:The students will be able to: 1) recognize different types of context clues1) recognize different types of context clues

2) use context clues to determine the meaning of an unfamiliar 2) use context clues to determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word; word;

3) 3) analyze words, phrases, and word relationships to analyze words, phrases, and word relationships to determine meaning; determine meaning;

4) analyze the context surrounding a word with multiple 4) analyze the context surrounding a word with multiple meanings to determine the correct meaning of the word. meanings to determine the correct meaning of the word.

Reading Standards Reading Standards Workshop ActivityWorkshop Activity

Concept mapWHAT ARE CONTEXT CLUES?

ContextClues

How Do You Guess The How Do You Guess The Meaning Of An Meaning Of An Unfamiliar Word?Unfamiliar Word?

There are words or phrases around an There are words or phrases around an unfamiliar word that can help you unfamiliar word that can help you understand the meaning of a new word.understand the meaning of a new word.

These words and phrases are called These words and phrases are called

context cluescontext clues.  . 

If you learn how to use these clues, If you learn how to use these clues, you can save yourself a trip to the you can save yourself a trip to the dictionary, increase your vocabulary, and dictionary, increase your vocabulary, and improve your reading comprehension.  improve your reading comprehension. 

CONTEXT CLUESCONTEXT CLUES

THERE ARE DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES:

DefinitionSynonym or restatementAntonym or contrastExampleComparisonList or SeriesCause and EffectInference or general context

TYPE 

DESCRIPTION CLUES ”SIGNAL WORDS”

EXAMPLE

1. Definition The author provides a direct (explicit) definition of an unknown word in the sentence.

Is, areIs /are calledIs / are known asIs defined asMeans, Or, Refers to

- Martha is a curator, a person who is responsible for looking after a museum’s collection.-Entomology is the study of insects.- Archeology is the scientific study of prehistoric cultures by excavation of their remains.

2. Synonym or Restatement

The author uses a word having the same or nearly the same meaning as another word or other words in a sentence.

Commas , Semicolon ;Dashes -Parenthesis ( )Sometimes signal words or, that is, or in other words are used.

- Carnivores, that is, meat eaters, are the top of the food chain.- My best friend squandered all his money; his drinking and gambling wasted all his earnings.-After seeing the picture of the starving children, we all felt compassion or pity for their suffering.- After a time, glaciers, or slowly moving rivers of ice, formed over many parts of the Earth.

3. Antonym or Contrast

The author uses another word or phrase that means the opposite of an unfamiliar word

Words used are:But, however, although, otherwise, unless, instead of, on the contrary, on the other hand, while, unlike, different from

-Mike’s parrot was loquacious, but Maria’s said very little. -The gentleman was portly, but his wife was thin.-While Luis is hardworking, his indolent brother spends most of the time watching TV or sitting around with friends.

 

4. Comparison In comparison clues, the author uses words and phrases that have the same or similar meaning as an unfamiliar word.

 Words used are:like, as, similar to, in the same way, likewise, resembling, too, also, similarly

 -My brother is enthralled by birds similar to the way that I am fascinated by insects.- The stench of the old shoes was like the smell of garbage.

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES

TYPE 

DESCRIPTION CLUES ”SIGNAL WORDS”

EXAMPLE

5. Example/Explanation

The author provides examples or additional explanations or summaries to help you understand an unfamiliar word. The word is cleared up by giving an example.

For example For instance Including Such asEspecially, SpecificallyTo illustrate

-The archeologist found different amulets, such as a rabbit’s foot and bags of herb.-Paula was suspended from school because of several infractions of the rules, including smoking in the bathroom and dressing improperly.- Celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, and stars, are governed by predictable laws.

6. Cause and Effect The meaning of an unknown word depends on the cause/effect relationship with other words in the text.

As a result, Due toAccordinglyBecause, Since, SoConsequentlyFor this reasonHence, if … then

-Since no one came to the first meeting, attendance for the second one is mandatory for all staff.- Because the conflagration was aided by wind, it was so destructive that every building in the area was completely burned to the ground.

7. List or Series The unfamiliar word is included in a series of related words that give an idea of the word’s meaning.

Look for a list of words -North American predators include grizzly bears, pumas, wolves, and foxes.-The debris in the stadium stands included numerous paper cups, ticket stubs, sandwich wrappings, and cigarette butts.

8. Inference or General Context

The meaning of an unfamiliar word can be inferred (guessed) from the description of a situation.The author provides non-specific clues, often spread over the sentence or number of sentences.

Look for clues over several words or sentences

-The monkey’s vociferous chatter made me wish I had earplugs.- Katie’s belligerence surprised everyone. She threw her book across the room, glared at Chris, and then pushed him to the floor. 

1) Armadillos are unusual mammals that are widespread in parts of South America and in the Southern part of the United States. They get their name from the Spanish word armado, which means one that is armed, because of the armor covering their bodies. There are 20 species that include the nine-banded armadillo, the giant armadillo, the apara, the fairy armadillo, the pichi, and the naked-tailed armadillo. They live in burrows that they dig with their sharp front claws in open grasslands and tropical forests, but they are unable to survive in arid areas such as deserts, or in very cold areas. The nine-banded armadillo, the species found in Florida, is the only armadillo that can swim. It inflates its stomach and intestines with air to keep itself buoyant. It also can cross a small river by holding its breath for up to six minutes and walking on the river bottom. 2) Many mammals are active primarily during the day, but armadillos are nocturnal. They have a varied diet, eating insects or invertebrates, plants, and small vertebrates, such as snakes and lizards. They sometimes feed on carrion; that is, rotting animal flesh. The giant armadillo of South America is even said to have dug into flesh graves to eat corpses. Armadillos’ main food sources are ants and termites. They dig into ant runs or termite mounds with their sharp claws and use their long, sticky tongues to extract insects. The nine-banded armadillo eats up to 40,000 ants at one feeding. 3) The nine-banded armadillo mates in July and August, but the egg does not become implanted in the uterine wall for about three months. This process, in which development of the embryo does not take place immediately, is called delayed implantation. Once the embryo starts forming, the gestation period is 120 days. The young are then born in the spring when food is more plentiful. The nine-banded armadillo has four in a litter. The young are identical quads and always of the same sex because all four develop from the same egg. All four are attached by umbilical cords to the same placenta. The placenta is the area of the uterine wall specialized for transferring food, etc. between the blood of the mother and that of the embryo. This kind of multiple births is rare in other mammals, but it is rule for nine-banded armadillos. 4) Armadillos are covered with bony plates of armor. These plates are hinged so that the armadillo can roll itself into an armored roll to protect its soft underparts and limbs from predators. Armadillos appear to be hairless at first glance, but as with elephants, a closer look reveals that most species have sparse hair on their bodies. 5) The population of armadillos has dwindled in South America, mainly because their habitat has been destroyed by the expansion of agriculture. In the United States, however, the population of armadillos has not dwindled. Many are killed each year on highways, but this has not caused a significant drop in the population. In fact, in some areas they have become agricultural pests because they dig up so many crops in their quest for insects.The armadillo is an interesting mammal. Watch for it as you travel around Florida.

Context Clues Chart for the Text “Armadillos” WORD MY DEFINITION CONTEXT CLUE TYPE OF CONTEXT CLUE

1) apara   

     

2) arid  

     

3) buoyant 

     

4)  nocturnal  

     

5)  carrion  

     

6)  placenta

     

Context Clues Chart for the Text “Armadillos” WORD MY DEFINITION CONTEXT CLUE TYPE OF CONTEXT CLUE

7)

sparse

     

8)

dwindled

     

9)      

10)      

11)      

12)      

DEFINITIONDEFINITION

Writers often define a word Writers often define a word after they use it. They use after they use it. They use words and phrases such as words and phrases such as meansmeans, , isis, , refers torefers to, and , and are are called called to signal that a to signal that a definition is to follow.definition is to follow.

Examples of Definition Examples of Definition Context CluesContext Clues

• EXAMPLES:EXAMPLES: EntomologyEntomology isis the study of insects. the study of insects. ArchaeologyArchaeology isis the scientific study of prehistoric cultures the scientific study of prehistoric cultures

by excavation of their remains. by excavation of their remains. The cattle was disturbed by a pack of The cattle was disturbed by a pack of coyotescoyotes, small , small

wolves that live in the western United States.wolves that live in the western United States. Broad, flat noodles that are served with sauce or butter Broad, flat noodles that are served with sauce or butter

are called are called fettuccine.fettuccine.

SYNONYM or SYNONYM or RESTATEMENT RESTATEMENT

The meaning is usually right after the The meaning is usually right after the unfamiliar word and often separated unfamiliar word and often separated from the rest of the sentence with from the rest of the sentence with commas, dashes, or parentheses; commas, dashes, or parentheses; sometimessometimes, , oror,, that isthat is, or , or in other wordsin other words is used. A synonym may also be set off is used. A synonym may also be set off with a pair of dashes, a pair of with a pair of dashes, a pair of parentheses, or a pair of commas before parentheses, or a pair of commas before and after it.and after it.

Look at the following Look at the following cases:cases:

EXAMPLESEXAMPLES::•CarnivoresCarnivores, , that is,that is, meat eaters, are at the top of meat eaters, are at the top of

the food chain.the food chain.•My opponent's argument is My opponent's argument is fallaciousfallacious, , misleading – plain misleading – plain wrong.wrong...•Ashamed of his Ashamed of his flaccid flaccid –flabby – muscles, Glenn joined the –flabby – muscles, Glenn joined the local gym.local gym.•My best friend My best friend squanderedsquandered all his money; his drinking and all his money; his drinking and gambling wasted all his earnings.gambling wasted all his earnings.•Christina’s use of curses and personal attacks against the Christina’s use of curses and personal attacks against the waitress waitress mortified mortified – – embarrassed – everyone.embarrassed – everyone.

EXAMPLEEXAMPLE Context Clues Context Clues

The unfamiliar word is cleared up by The unfamiliar word is cleared up by giving an example; giving an example; for instancefor instance, , for for exampleexample , ,such assuch as, , likelike, , includingincluding, , consisting of consisting of may be used as signals.may be used as signals.

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:The archeologist found different The archeologist found different amuletsamulets, , such such asas a a rabbit’s footrabbit’s foot and and bags of herbsbags of herbs, near the , near the ancient altar.ancient altar.Celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, and stars, are governed by predictable laws.

OTHER OTHER EXAMPLESEXAMPLES

• Some creatures can Some creatures can regenerateregenerate parts of themselves, parts of themselves, such as such as a starfish growing a new arm or a lizard growing a starfish growing a new arm or a lizard growing a new tail.a new tail.

• Paula was suspended from school because of several Paula was suspended from school because of several infractionsinfractions of the rules, of the rules, includingincluding smoking in the smoking in the bathroom and dressing improperly.bathroom and dressing improperly.

• My uncle often has had some embarrassing My uncle often has had some embarrassing mishapsmishaps, , such as such as back his car into the side of his boss’s Honda and back his car into the side of his boss’s Honda and trying to walk through a glass door.trying to walk through a glass door.

• In the past month, we have had almost every type of In the past month, we have had almost every type of precipitationprecipitation, , includingincluding rain, snow, sleet, and hail. rain, snow, sleet, and hail.

• Toxic Toxic materials, materials, such as such as arsenic, asbestos, pesticides, arsenic, asbestos, pesticides, and lead, can cause bodily damage.and lead, can cause bodily damage.

ANTONYM or ANTONYM or CONTRASTCONTRAST

The unfamiliar word is shown to be different from or unlike another word, and is often an opposite; but, however, although, otherwise, unless, instead of, on the contrary, in contrast, yet, on the other hand, as opposed to, while, unlike, never or not may be used to signal contrast.EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:

Mike’s parrot was Mike’s parrot was loquaciousloquacious, , butbut Maria’s said Maria’s said very littlevery little..Instead of Instead of living with other people, she chose living with other people, she chose to be a to be a recluserecluse..

MORE EXAMPLESMORE EXAMPLESof ANTONYM CONTEXT of ANTONYM CONTEXT CLUESCLUES

• The coach takes every opportunity to The coach takes every opportunity to reprimandreprimand his players; his players; yetyet he ignores every he ignores every chance to chance to praisepraise them. them.

• Julie Ann refused to remain Julie Ann refused to remain illiterateilliterate, instead , instead she worked to become she worked to become well-educated.well-educated.

• The employee received not a The employee received not a commendationcommendation butbut a a rebukerebuke for working overtime. for working overtime.

• WhileWhile Luis is hardworking, his Luis is hardworking, his indolentindolent brother brother spends most of the time watching TV or sitting spends most of the time watching TV or sitting around with friends.around with friends.

COMPARISONCOMPARISON

The unfamiliar word is shown to be the The unfamiliar word is shown to be the same as or like another word; same as or like another word; too, like, too, like, as, similar to,as, similar to, or or in the same wayin the same way may be may be used to signal the comparison.used to signal the comparison.

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:

*My brother is *My brother is enthralledenthralled by birds by birds similarsimilar toto the way that I am the way that I am fascinatedfascinated by by insects.insects.

LIST OR SERIESLIST OR SERIES

The unfamiliar word is included in a The unfamiliar word is included in a

series of related words that give an series of related words that give an

idea of the word’s meaning.idea of the word’s meaning.EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:

*North American *North American predatorspredators include include grizzly grizzly bearsbears, , pumaspumas, , wolveswolves, and , and foxesfoxes..* The * The debris debris in the stadium stands included in the stadium stands included numerous paper cups, ticket stubs, sandwich numerous paper cups, ticket stubs, sandwich wrappings, and cigarette butts.wrappings, and cigarette butts.

CAUSE AND EFFECTCAUSE AND EFFECT

The meaning of an unfamiliar word The meaning of an unfamiliar word

is signaled by a cause-and-effectis signaled by a cause-and-effect

relationship between ideas in therelationship between ideas in the

text.text.

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:Because the conflagration was aided by wind, it was so destructive that every building in thearea was completely burned to the ground.

INFERENCE or INFERENCE or GENERAL GENERAL CONTEXTCONTEXT(DESCRIPTION)(DESCRIPTION)

The meaning of an unfamiliar wordThe meaning of an unfamiliar word

can be inferred from the descriptioncan be inferred from the description

of a situation or experience.of a situation or experience.EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:*The monkey’s *The monkey’s vociferousvociferous chatter chatter made me wish I had made me wish I had earplugs.earplugs.* The newly weds agreed to be very * The newly weds agreed to be very frugalfrugal in their in their shopping shopping because they wanted to save enough money to because they wanted to save enough money to buy a house. buy a house. * Katie’s * Katie’s belligerencebelligerence surprised everyone. surprised everyone. She threw her She threw her book across the room, glared at Chris, and then pushed book across the room, glared at Chris, and then pushed him to the floor.him to the floor.

CONTEXT CLUESCONTEXT CLUES PRACTICE PRACTICE

Read each sentence or paragraph and circle Read each sentence or paragraph and circle

the correct answer.the correct answer.

1. The archeologist carefully removed the tometome from its ancient

resting and proceeded to read the pages related to marriage in ancient Greece. What does the word What does the word tometome probably mean? probably mean?a. Pen b. weapon c. book d. sausage

2. The Navajo language is an unwritten language of extremecomplexity with no alphabet or symbols, and is spoken only onthe lands of the Navajo Nation in the American Southwest. DuringWorld War II a Navajo code was created for the U.S. Navy. This code was virtuallyvirtually undecipherable to anyone except Navajospeaking persons. What does the word What does the word virtuallyvirtually probably mean? probably mean?a. Pleasant b. almost c. never d. always

CONTEXT CLUESCONTEXT CLUES PRACTICE PRACTICE Cont.Cont.

3. Lakes occupy less than two percent of the Earth’s surface, yetthey help sustainsustain life. For instance, lakes give us fish to eat,

irrigate crops, and generate electrical power. What does the word What does the word sustainsustain

probably mean? probably mean? a. support b. obstruct c. prolong d. destroy

4. The ancient Greeks pioneeredpioneered many of the kinds of writing weconsider standard today. They wrote speeches, plays, poems, books about science and learning, long histories of the thingsthat happened to them. What does the word What does the word pioneeredpioneered probably probablymean?mean?a. complicated b. developed c. destroyed d. explored

CONTEXT CLUESCONTEXT CLUES PRACTICE PRACTICE Cont.Cont.

5. Fifty-five mostly prominentprominent, male delegates attended the Philadelphia Convention in 1787. About seventy-five percent of the delegates had served in Congress and others were important people in their home states. These men are often referred to as the Framers of the Constitution. What does the What does the word word prominentprominent probably mean? probably mean?

a. unimportant b. unknown c. common d. important

6. Bats that eat fruit and nectar spread seeds and help flowers grow. Without bats many important plants would not thrivethrive. WhatWhat does the word does the word thrivethrive probably mean? probably mean? a. flourish b. die c. wither d. deteriorate

THE ENDTHE END

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?