STAAR Prep: Context Clues

Open Ended

Because it was raining outside, I used my bumbershoot to keep from getting wet.

What do you think the word bumbershoot means? How do you know?

I think bumbershoot means… I know this because...

Because it was raining outside, I used my bumbershoot to
keep from getting wet.

We use umbrellas to stay dry in the rain.

So, a “bumbershoot” must be an umbrella.

What are context clues?

Sometimes, when we read, we may see words we don’t understand or
know.

These are unfamiliar words.

When we see unfamiliar words, we can use context clues to figure out what they mean.

What are context clues?

Context clues are clues we find in a text that help us understand
unfamiliar words.

There many types of context clues...

Types of Context Clues

Definitions

Synonyms

(similar words)

Antonyms

(opposite words)

Examples

Inferences

Context Clues: Definition

Mr. Dodd is an affable principal.
He is easy to talk to and always
friendly.

Draw

Underline/highlight the definition of the underlined word.

After the word “rough,” I see the words “or not careful.”

I understand that the the word “rough” means “not careful.”

Sarah was being very rough, or not careful, with her

chromebook and it broke.

​On the next slide, choose the correct definition of the underlined word.

Multiple Choice

We bought our groceries at a store that gets its food from local farms. The farms are close to our home.

• old

• country

• near our home

• crazy

We bought our groceries at a store that gets its food

from local farms. The farms are close to our home.

I see that the farms are close to the author’s home.

So, that tells me that the the word “local” means near our home.

​On the next slide, choose the correct definition of the underlined word.

Multiple Choice

The man who owns the bank is wealthy. He has a lot of money.

• smart

• rich

• funny

• happy

The man who owns the bank is wealthy. He has a lot of

money.

I see that the man who owns the bank has a lot of money.

I know that people who have a lot of money are rich.

So, that tells me that “wealthy” means “rich.”

Types of Context Clues

Definitions

Synonyms

(similar words)

Antonyms

(opposite words)

Examples

Inferences

Context Clues: Synonyms

Mr. Dodd is quite affable. He
reminds me of Ms. Baker! Do you
remember how kind she was?

Draw

Underline/highlight the synonym of the underlined word.

My sister hums all the time and it bothers, or annoys, me.

I can see that it’s followed by the words “or annoys.”

I understand that “bothers” means “annoys.”

​On the next slide, choose the correct definition of the underlined word.

Multiple Choice

Wolves like to stay with their pack. They do not like to leave the group.

• family

• box

• friends

• group

Wolves like to stay in their pack. They do not like to

leave the group.

I see that wolves do not leave their group.

I understand that the word “pack” means “group.”

Types of Context Clues

Definitions

Synonyms

(similar words)

Antonyms

(opposite words)

Examples

Inferences

Context Clues: Antonyms

I miss Mr. Dobb. Our new principal
is cranky and mean. Mr. Dobb was
so affable.

​On the next slide, choose the correct definition of the underlined word.

Multiple Choice

The feral cat would not let us play with him, unlike our friendly pet cat.

• nice

• wild

• fun

• sweet

Draw

Underline/highlight the antonyms of the underlined word. There are multiple!

​On the next slide, choose the correct definition of the underlined word.

Multiple Choice

Sometimes, my math homework is tedious. I want to do something fun!

• boring

• fun

• hard

• easy

Draw

Underline/highlight the antonym of the underlined word.

Sometimes, my math homework is tedious. I want to do

something fun!

I see the author describes his homework as tedious.

I also see the author wants to do something fun instead.

I understand that “tedious” means “boring.”

Types of Context Clues

Definitions

Synonyms

(similar words)

Antonyms

(opposite words)

Examples

Inferences

Context Clues: Examples/Inferences

Mr. Dobb is an affable principal.
He knows everybody’s name! If
you have a problem, talk to him.

Context Clues: Examples/Inferences

You don’t need to worry about
talking to Mr. Dobb. He is an
affable principal.

​​On the next slide, choose the correct definition of the underlined word.

Multiple Choice

The squirrel dashed into the street! My mom tried not to hit it with her car.

• crawled

• danced

• walked slowly

• ran quickly

The squirrel dashed into the street! My mom tried not
to hit it with her car.

I see that the mom had to keep from hitting the squirrel.

I know if he moved slowly, it would be easy to not hit him.

I can infer that the squirrel ran quickly into the road.

Multiple Choice

I have a slight idea about how to figure out that math problem. I am not sure.

• small

• great

• bright

• no idea

I have a slight idea about how to figure out that math
problem, but I am not sure.

I see that the author has an idea.

I also see that she is not sure of her idea.

I can infer that “slight” means “small.” She has a small idea.

Multiple Choice

We did not do a good job on our homework, so our teacher made us redo it.

• throw it away

• forget it

• do it again

• color it

We did not do a good job on our homework, so our
teacher made us redo it.

I see that the author did badly on her homework.

I know “re-” means again.

I can infer that “redo” means “do it again.”

Open Ended

Make up a new word. Use it in a sentence.

In your sentence, include either a definition, synonym, antonym, or example.