context clues

context clues

Getting meaning out of what you read.

Poll

Yes or No

Have you ever tried to read something but came across a word you did not know?

• yes

• no

It is impossible to know the meaning of every word in the English language! But knowing how to use context clues can help you figure out a workable meaning for words that are unfamiliar to you.

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Context Text

• Read the section of text without stopping on the word that you don't know.

• Go back and reread the sentences BEFORE the new word, WITH the new word and AFTER the new word.

• Use clues to come up with a meaning for the new word.

• 
  

Let's try it:

It was so hot and dry in the desert. The arid air made made us constantly thirsty. We could only dream of being home in our air conditioning!

What do you think the word arid means?

Poll

Arid means

• sweaty

• hot and dry

• thirsty

Did you guess hot and dry?

Arid means hot and dry. The context came in the sentence BEFORE the word.

"It was so hot and dry in the desert."

Context Clues

Context clues can help you figure out word meanings. Sometimes if you don't find any context clues, just keep reading. Often you can come up with the "gist" of what the text is about.