Context Clues Look for the Clues What does

Context Clues Look for the Clues

What does context mean? A word’s context is the words, phrases, and sentences that surround it. If you look closely at the context of an unknown word, you often get clues about that words meaning. Look for: • Synonyms • Antonyms • Definitions • Examples • Unstated or Implied

Look for Synonyms Watch for words that repeat the same meaning. From “Boys Against Girls” by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor: What does precocious mean? Just because she was supposed to be super smart – “precocious, ” the grown-ups called it – didn’t mean he had to like her. You probably see that super smart and precocious both mean the same thing. In this sentence super smart and precocious are synonyms.

Look for Antonyms Watch for words with opposite meanings. Sometimes authors use them to make a point. From “ Nomi and the Magic Fish” by Judy Sierra: When Nomi was a little girl, her mother died, and her father married another woman. This woman had a daughter called Nomsa. Nomi was a beautiful, tall child, but Nomsa was very short and ugly. The author uses two pair of antonyms to show that Nomi and Nomsa looked very different from each other.

Look for Definitions Watch for definitions defined near a word. Sometimes you’ll see words and phrases – such as or, that is, and in other words – with a definition right after it in parentheses. From “Census Surprise!” from Junior Scholastic: What does census mean? The U. S. Census Bureau conducts a census (people count) every ten years. Since 1960, the population growth rate had been slowing down. But no longer. Notice that the meaning of the word census is given right after it in parentheses.

Look for Examples Watch for examples that explain what a word means. Examples often follow words or phrases, such as for example, such as, like, and especially. From “Boys Against Girls” by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor: What is an abaguchie? Actually, nobody knew if there was an abaguchie in Buckman at all, and if there was, just what kind of creature it was. For several years various people in Upshur County claimed to have seen a large animal, something like a cat, lurking around in the shadows, running along the edge of the woods, or even crawling about under somebody’s window. The word abaguchie is unfamiliar, but you soon learn that it’s a “creature, ” “a large animal, something like a cat. ”

Look for an Unstated or Implied Meaning Many times the meaning of a word becomes clear when you study the situation the word appears in or draw on your own knowledge and experience of similar situations. Example: John burst out of the woods and found himself at the edge of a precipice. Clinging to a boulder, he gazed down dizzily at the blue ribbon of river below.

Read Surrounding Sentences Look closely at the sentence containing the word, as well as the sentences that come before and after it. From “The Sultan’s Perfect Tree” by Jane Yolan: What does blemish mean? There was a sultan who loved perfection. In his palace he would allow only the most perfect things. Each fruit that he ate had to be without blemish. Each cup that he drank had to be without flaw. By reading the whole passage, you learn that the word blemish means “a flaw”. Something that is perfect would not have a blemish.

What to do when context clue strategies don’t help? Sometimes we still don’t understand the meaning of a word even after looking for synonyms, antonyms, definitions, examples, and reading surrounding sentences. When ALL of these strategies fail – use a Dictionary, but that won’t be an option on the Milestone. Therefore, all the words you may not know in those passages should be decodable using these methods!

Practice Give the meaning and the type of context clue used to find the meaning of the red word(s). A Vicarious Journey By Menkeli Kanaa, 2003 I would like to take you on a vicarious trip, a trip I want you to experience through my description, to Tanzania. I visited Tanzania with five other teachers this summer, and I can truly claim that it was the most memorable summer I’ve had. I doubt I will ever forget it. Word: vicarious Type: Definition Meaning: experience through a description, not personal experience Word: memorable Type: Definition Meaning: never forget; stay in memory

Practice Give the meaning and the type of context clue used to find the meaning of the red word(s). • The old Maasai told us stories that teach many things about life and death, bravery and fear, vengeance and forgiveness. Type: Antonym Meaning: revenge; punish someone • When going to a party you should show your best decorum by dressing your best, drinking and eating moderately, and thanking your host before you leave. Type: Example Meaning: using good manners

Practice Give the meaning and the type of context clue used to find the meaning of the red word(s). • Carly is fond of trite, worn-out expressions in her writing. Her favorite is “You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. ” Type: Synonym Meaning: worn out; overused • Animals adapt to the environments they live in. Some animals live in the Arctic where it is very cold and their fur keeps them warm. Other animals live in the ocean, or in ponds, streams, lakes, and rivers. They use gills to breath. Type: Read Surrounding Sentences or Examples Meaning: how a living animal changes to survive in their environment

Practice Give the meaning and the type of context clue used to find the meaning of the red word(s). • The snake slithered through the grass. The grass parted as he hunted. Type: Read Surrounding Sentence Meaning: moved; slide from side to side • Josie 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. Type: Example Meaning: jewelry

Practice Give the meaning and the type of context clue used to find the meaning of the red word(s). • I took the tome off the shelf and opened it. The book will take me a long time to read. Type: Synonym Meaning: book • Joe was reluctant to take on the position of captain of the basketball team. He was afraid that the time it would take would hurt his grades. On the other hand, Billy was eager for the chance to be captain. He thought that being captain of the team would make him very popular in school. Type: Antonym Meaning: do not want to do something