Context Clues
Vocabulary Building
Context clues
Context Clues are hints that the author gives to help define a difficult
or unusual word. The clue may appear within the same sentence as the word to which it refers, or it may be in a
preceding or subsequent sentence.
FOUR TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES:
1. Definition2. Synonyms3. Antonyms4. Example
DEFINITION The verb "to be" is a signal indicating that the definition of the word may
be in the sentence.
A form of the verb "to be" is located between the unfamiliar word and its meaning.
Examples:
1.A carnivore is an animal that feeds only on meat.
2.A biographer, or one who writes about people's lives, is an example of an author.
SYNONYMS The word "like" is a signal word indicating synonym which means
there is a word of similar meaning in the sentence.
A synonym, or word with the same meaning, is used in the sentence.
Examples:
1. The harlequin, like the circus clown, was a fool who loved to perform.
2.My opponent's argument is fallacious, misleading – plain wrong.
ANTONYMS The word "but" is a signal word indicating antonym which means
there is a word of opposite meaning in the sentence.
A word or group of words that has the opposite meaning reveals the meaning of an unknown
term.
Examples:
1. Jerry is very clumsy, but his sister Jenny is adroit.
2. Although some men are loquacious, others hardly talk at all.
EXAMPLE Using examples or illustrations, an author tries
to show what a word means.A writer may give just one example or several.
Remember that these examples are not synonyms.
Look for words or phrases like such as, including or consists of, Colons (:) and dashes (-) can
also signal examples.
Examples:1. The river was full of noxious materials such
as cleaning agents from factories and pesticides from the nearby farms.
2. This third grade was full of precocious children. One child had learned to read at two and another could do algebra at age 6.
3. When going to an office party you should show your best decorum, for example, dress your best, drink and eat moderately, and be sure to thank the host before you leave.
Synthesis
Exercises
CubbyholesI have always lived in cubbyholes. After
moving away from home, my first apartment was just a cubbyhole in a large building. It was no more that 8' by 12' and had a bed in one corner. My second was no
more that a large walk-in closet. My current one is about 10 feet long by 12 feet
wide, but it at least has two rooms.
Cubbyhole = SMALL
ScuzzyThe floors of the restaurant were
extremely scuzzy. They were covered with spilled grease, crumbs of food,
and cigarette butts.
Scuzzy = DIRTY
RemuneratedThe contractor was always
well remunerated for his work. For example, he received $10,000 for a small addition to a house and last year he was received $5,000 for reconstructing a
stairway.
Remunerated = PAID
BreechesThe department store carries a variety of breeches, for example they carried Levis, Wranglers, and even some plain unlabeled brands
made of cotton.
Breeches = PANTS / JEANS
BaubleJosie received a bauble for Christmas from her great aunt. This she put with her others, a pair of imitation earrings, a fake emerald pendant, and a ring
that looked like a ruby.
Bauble = Jewelries
VociferousThe girl who used to be
very vociferous doesn't talk much anymore.
Vociferous = TALKATIVE
ParcimoniousHe was so parsimonious that he refused to give his own sons the few pennies they needed to buy pencils for school. It truly hurt him to part with his money.
Parsimonious = STINGY
PertinacityHis pertinacity, or
stubbornness, is the cause of most of his trouble.
Pertinacity = STUBBORN
EcclesiasticsEcclesiastics, such as priests, ministers, and pastors, should set models of behavior for their
congregants.
Ecclesiastics = CLERGY
churlish
The girl was churlish – rude, sullen and absolutely ill-
mannered.
Churlish = RUDE
ConflagrationBecause the conflagration was
aided by wind, it was so destructive that every building in the area was completely burned to the ground.
Conflagration = FIRE
END