Context Clues

Context Clues

They are hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that the reader uses in order to figure out the meanings of new or unfamiliar words.

First,

A reader must be aware that many words have several possible meanings. Only by being sensitive to the circumstances in which a word is used can the reader decide upon an appropriate definition to fit the context.

Reminder,

A reader should rely on context clues when an obvious clue to meaning is provided, or when only a general sense of the meaning is needed for the reader’s purposes. Context clues should not be relied upon when a precise meaning is required, when clues suggest several possible definitions, when nearby words are unfamiliar, and when the unknown word is a common one that will be needed again; in these cases, a dictionary should be consulted. 

There are several different types of context clues. Some of them are: 

• DEFINITION / DESCRIPTION CLUE

• EXAMPLE CLUES

• SYNONYM RESTATEMENT CLUE

• CONTRAST / ANTONYM CLUE

• MOOD / TONE CLUE

• EXPERIENCE CLUE

• ANALYSIS OR STRUCTURE CLUE

Continued

• INFERENCE CLUE

• CAUSE AND EFFECT CLUE

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DEFINITION / DESCRIPTION CLUE: The new term may be formally defined, or sufficient explanation may be given within the sentence or in the following sentence. Clues to definition include “that is,” commas, dashes, and parentheses.

Ex: His emaciation, that is, his skeleton-like appearance, was frightening to see. “Skeleton-like appearance” is the definition of “emaciation.”

EXAMPLE CLUES: Sometimes when a reader finds a new word, an example might be found nearby that helps to explain its meaning. Words like including, such as, and for example, point out example clues. 

EX: Piscatorial creatures, such as flounder, salmon, and trout, live in the coldest parts of the ocean. “Piscatorial” obviously refers to fish. 

SYNONYM RESTATEMENT CLUE: The reader may discover the meaning of an unknown word because it repeats an idea expressed in familiar words nearby. Synonyms are words with the same meaning. 

EX: The mountain pass was a tortuous road, winding and twisting like a snake around the trees of the mountainside. “Tortuous” means “winding and twisting.” 

CONTRAST / ANTONYM CLUE: Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. An opposite meaning context clue contrasts the meaning of an unfamiliar word with the meaning of a familiar term. Words like “although,” “however,” and “but” may signal contrast clues. 

EX: When the light brightens, the pupils of the eyes contract; however, when it grows darker, they dilate. “Dilate” means the opposite of “contract.” 

MOOD / TONE CLUE: The author sets a mood, and the meaning of the unknown word must harmonize with the mood.

EX: The lugubrious wails of the gypsies matched the dreary whistling of the wind in the allbut-deserted cemetery. “Lugubrious,” which means “sorrowful,” fits into the mood set by the words “wails,” “dreary,” and “deserted cemetery.” 

EXPERIENCE CLUE: Sometimes a reader knows from experience how people or things act in a given situation. This knowledge provides the clue to a word’s meaning. 

EX: She walked away from her closet and quickly slipped a jersey over her head. She smoothed it into place over her hips, added a belt, glanced at the mirror, and left for work. 

ANALYSIS OR STRUCTURE CLUE: The parts used to construct a word can be direct clues to meaning. Knowledge of prefixes, roots, and suffixes can aid a reader in using this type of context clue. Learning one word part can add dozens of words to a reader’s vocabulary.

EX: The story is incredible. The root cred means “to believe,’ and the prefix in means “not.” Therefore, if a story is incredible, it is unbelievable.

INFERENCE CLUE: Sufficient clues might be available for the careful reader to make an educated guess at the meaning. 

EX: She told her friend, “I’m through with blind dates forever. What a dull evening! I was bored every minute. The conversation was absolutely vapid.” “Vapid” means “uninteresting.”

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

EX: 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.” 

Lets try one together

The purpose of the psychiatrist is to mitigate the suffering of the patient.

a. make milder b. beautify c. increase d. banish