Fundamental Skills #9: Context Clues

Context Clues

clues from the sentence or text that help the reader understand the words. TAKE NOTES AS YOU READ THROUGH

5 main types of context clues

• definition clues-word is defined directly

• synonym clues-word with similar meaning

• antonym clues-word with opposite meaning

• example clues-examples of word is included

• inference clues-use clues and text evidence

Context Clue Type: Definition

John had written many short stories before, but he was simply stuck this time. He had a clear overall plot in his head. He even had a vivid setting picked out, but he was having a really hard time settling on a protagonist, the hero and central character who the events in the story revolve around.

Context Clue Type: Synonym

Melissa's dad told her to put on her headphones if she was having such trouble concentrating, but Melissa was completely exasperated, or extremely annoyed, with her little brother that nothing would help.

Open Ended

The famous quote, "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes," comes from the Battle of Bunker Hill. It was an important early battle during the American Revolution. The British were attacking the hill, which the Americans held, but the Americans' ammunition was scarce. Since it was so limited, an American commander gave them that instruction. He didn't want them to waste their resources by firing at targets that were difficult to hit.

What synonym helps to figure out the meaning of scarce?

Context Clue Type: Antonym

We were absolutely starving by the time we returned to camp. Roxy was in charge of packing the food for this particular trip. It was her first time. The rest of us were worried that the food supply would be meager, but we were pleasantly surprised with how plentiful it was.

Open Ended

History teaches us how quickly relationships between countries can totally change. The United States and the Soviet Union were allies during most of two world wars, but by the end of World War II, they were enemies. The Cold War that erupted between these two countries lasted decades.

What antonym helps us to understand the meaning of allies?

Context Clue Type: Example

Mayor Lee is up for reelection. She enjoys strong support from citizens and business leaders, but Mayor Lee would be the first to admit that the timing of her first term was very lucky. She took over at a time of very low unemployment. So far during her term, there have been no natural calamities in the area, unlike the tornadoes and earthquakes that have struck elsewhere in the country.

Context Clue Type: Inference

A number of residents have written letters to the city council in regards to the construction and repaving going on downtown. The central concern of the letters has been for the safety of pedestrians. The construction has led to a number of sidewalks being closed. Some of the freshly paved roads have even covered over sidewalks. They have yet to be repainted.

Definition or Restatement

• Ex. Anacondas usually ambush, or sneak up, on their prey from the water

• Sneak up is the context clue

• The ball gown was resplendent. It was by far the most beautiful dress in the store and Jenna had to have it.

• Most beautiful is the context clue

Example

• Talia enjoys collaborating. For example, she often chooses to work with her classmates on science projects rather than working alone.

• "she often chooses to work with her classmates on science projects" is the context clue

• I warned Earl not to provoke the wasps, but he just kept poking their nest with that stick.

• "he just kept poking their nest with that stick" is the context clue

Multiple Choice

No word must ever leak out about this military action! It has to be a clandestine operation in order to succeed.

Which word is a synonym of "clandestine"?

• Family

• Useful

• Dangerous

• Secret

Multiple Choice

What is an antonym context clue?

• A word, phrase, or name formed by rearranging the letters of another.

• A word or group of words that has the same meaning.

• An abbreviation formed from the initial letters of other words.

• A word or group of words that has the opposite meaning.

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of a synonym context clue?

• Joe begged his mom to let him stay up a wee bit later- only a few minutes.

• The men were exhausted after toiling in the dark mines all day. To toil means to work.

• Unlike the slow-moving creek near the park, this river had a swift current.

Multiple Choice

Which context clue strategy would be used in this sentence:

"The students were incensed that their Halloween party was shortened because of their classmates's poor behavior."

• Example/Inference context clue

• Definition context clue

• Synonym context clue

Multiple Choice

My father's favorite SALUTATION is "Howdy, friend!"

• signal

• greeting

• sentence

• question

Multiple Choice

The garrulous boy rambled on continuously as he told his mother about his day at school.
What does garrulous mean? 

• Quiet
• Secretive
• talkative 
• Exhausted

Multiple Choice

What are context clues?

• Clues that help you figure out the context.

• Hints that an author gives to help define a difficult or unusual word.

• A piece of evidence or information used in the detection of a crime or solving of a mystery

• A verbal formula giving an indication as to what is to be inserted in a particular space in a crossword or other puzzle.

Multiple Choice

Which context clue is defined as, the word’s meaning is explained in the sentence?

• Definition

• Antonym

• Example

• Synonym

Multiple Choice

Which context clue is defined as, other words are used in the sentence that have similar meanings?

• Word Part

• Example

• Definition

• Synonym

Multiple Choice

Which context clue is defined as, this is a clue in part of the unknown word?

• Inference

• Antonym

• Word Part

• Example

Multiple Choice

Which context clue is defined as, a word’s definition is not explained.  You need to look for clues before AND after the sentence?

• Word Part

• Inference

• Defintion

• Synonym

Multiple Choice

Which context clue is defined as, the word is clarified by giving the opposite meaning?  

• Inference

• Example

• Synonym

• Antonym

Multiple Choice

Since I feel like they are my best feature, I use black eye liner and shimmery light brown eye shadow to accentuate my blue eyes.

What does accentuate mean as it is used in this sentence?

• Emphasize

• Ignore

• Play down

• Understate

Multiple Choice

The football player was a voracious eater who could easily eat three large pizzas at dinner.

What does voracious mean as it is used in this sentence?

• To quench

• Being satisfied

• A full feeling

• Having a huge appetite

Multiple Choice

There was some controversy about the new school dress code. While most parents and teachers were in favor of the new code, many students were not. What does controversy mean?

• Surprise

• Disagreement

• Arrangment

• Sleepiness

Multiple Choice

As the author of the Harry Potter series, JK Rowling is a prominent writer in the field of children's literature. What does prominent mean?

• Knowledgeable

• Lucky

• Well-known

• Old

Multiple Choice

Mara was feeling apprehensive about the camping trip. She had never slept in a tent before. What if there were bears of mountain lions? What does apprehensive mean?

• Worried

• Angry

• Excited

Multiple Choice

David knew that the advanced studies program was rigorous. It would require a great deal of reading and homework. Still, he felt he was up to the challenge. What does rigorous mean?

• Boring

• Difficult

• Surprising

Multiple Choice

The shallow river was usually easy for hikers to wade across. However, the recent heavy rains had turned it into a rushing torrent, too treacherous to cross. What does treacherous mean?

• Dangerous

• Wet

• Dirty

Multiple Choice

Dan did not enjoy his job as a dishwasher. It was monotonous work, doing the same thing over and over. what does monotonous mean?

• Inspiring

• Disgusting

• Boring

Multiple Choice

In order to be eligible for the life guard program, participants had to take first aid training and be advanced swimmers. What does eligible mean?

• Qualified

• Rejected

• Observed

Multiple Choice

The best way to summarize a non-fiction story is to

• use information from the end of the story

• Use somebody, wanted, but, so, then

• use information from the beginning of the story

• use information from the Beginning, Middle, and End

Match

Match the following Context Clues to their Example

• The haberdashery was Lou’s favorite place. He loved shopping for nice suits.

• When Sarah was sick, her voice was almost inaudible. We couldn't hear what she was trying to say.

• Piscatorial creatures, such as flounder, salmon, and trout, live in the coldest parts of the ocean.

• It was a brutish afternoon, quite unlike the sunny ones the week prior. 

• He was cantankerous: angry and always looking for a fight.

INFERENCE

DEFINITION

EXAMPLE

ANTONYM

SYNONYM

• INFERENCE

• DEFINITION

• EXAMPLE

• ANTONYM

• SYNONYM

​All finished! Remember to check your score on Google Classroom and retake if needed! (And turn in your notes!)