Context Clues

Context Clues

Context Clues

How can I use context clues to understand unknown words?

A context clue is an explanation of a word that is given in the text; there will be a signal to the reader as to what the definition is.

There are many different types of context clues.

Definition Context Clue

• An explanation of a word is given in the text. There will be a signal to the reader that a definition is coming.

• "The longest line of latitude circling the earth, called the equator, is also the warmest location on earth."

Multiple Choice

Using the definition provided in the sentence, find the missing words for the sentence below.

_________ means that the two lines lie in the same plane and are the same distance apart over their entire length; they never intersect.

• A circle

• Parallel lines

• A right angle

Repeated or Synonym Context Clue

• A synonym for the word is given in the text. Remember, the s in synonym = same.

• "Tiffany wanted her frankfurter with chili and mustard, but Dalton said he liked his hotdog with just ketchup."

Multiple Choice

Using synonyms, find the missing words for the sentence below.

"Relocating information from the ______, or ball-shaped, surface of Earth onto a flat piece of paper is called projection."

• rectangular

• line

• spherical

Contrast or Antonym Context Clue

• An intonym for the word is given in the text. Words like although, however, and not ___, but may signal contrast clues.

• "When a person enters a brightly lit room the pupils of the eye get smaller; however when they enter a dark room the pupils dilate."

Multiple Choice

Using antonyms, find the missing words for the sentence below.

"The twins were as different as night and day. One was outgoing and talkative; the other was ____ and a loner."

• exciting

• shy

• fun

Association Context Clue

• Information from the sentence can help you figure out the meaning of the word.

• "Logan threw the basketball through the net to score a three-pointer."

Multiple Choice

Using association, find the missing words for the sentence below.

"The dog gave a startled _____ when he saw himself in the mirror for the first time."

• bark

• meow

• hiss

Example Context Clues

• Example context clues often use words like including, such as, and for example to point out an example.

• "Celestial bodies including the sun, moon, and the stars are fascinating to study."

Multiple Choice

Looking at the examples, find the missing words for the sentence below.

"_____ materials such as pesticides, plastics, detergents, oil, and gasoline pollute the Mississippi River."

• Toxic

• Healthy

• Modern

Tone & Setting Context Clues

• The reader finds a clue based on the general mood or tone of a passage.

• "During her grandmother's funeral, the girl's shoulders shook, tears flowed down her cheeks, and her legs trembled."

Multiple Choice

Looking at tone and word choice, find the missing word for the sentence below.

"The mother tenderly _____ her newborn child on his forehead."

• kissed

• flicked

• put a sticker on

Cause and Effect Context Clue

• A cause and effect situation is what happened and why, or the result.

• Meg wanted to impress everyone with the southern dish of shrimp and grits that she had learned to prepare when she went to culinary school in Charleston, South Carolina."

Multiple Choice

Using cause & effect context clues, find the missing word for the sentence below.

"Joe picked up the steaming slice of pizza and yowled as he _____ the roof of his mouth."

• ran

• ate

• burned