Introduce Context Clues

​Encountering a new word or phrase

Option 1: Look the word up in a dictionary.

+ More accurate

- Takes longer​

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Option 2: Infer the meaning of the word by looking at the words or ideas around the word.​

+ Quicker

- May result in an error​​

Which method is better for determining the meaning of a word?

Types of Context Clues

1) Definition - A Phrase

​ "The situation is a conundrum, a difficult problem to solve."

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2) ​Synonym - One Word

"His animosity, or hatred, ​towards his sister divided the family."

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3) Antonym - Contrasting Idea

"​I don't have time for a long-winded explanation. Can you give a shorter explanation instead?"

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4) Word Parts: Look at the Prefix or Suffix

"She's not antisocial, just shy."​

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4) Logic - Look at the other ideas around the word

"​It was an idyllic day - sunny, warm, and perfect for a walk in the park."

Multiple Choice

What type of context clue can you use to determine the meaning of affable?

Juan is quite affable.

In fact, he reminds me of Kyle.

Do you remember how kind Kyle was?

• Definition / Synonym

• Logic

• Antonym / Contrasting Idea

Multiple Choice

What type of context clue can you use to determine the meaning of affable?

I miss Mr. Kim. He was so affable.

Our new neighbor is not like him at all.

Our new neighbor is so cranky and unapproachable.

• Definition / Synonym

• Logic

• Antonym / Contrasting Idea

Multiple Choice

No matter where you go, the Internet is following you.

Almost every portable device is made with an Internet connection.

Most new TVs and many other appliances come with Internet connections as well.

The Internet is truly ubiquitous.

"Ubiquitous" means:

• It is fuzzy and will bite you.

• It is everywhere.

• It costs too much money.

• It causes rashes.

Multiple Choice

Before women's suffrage, only men had the right to vote.

"Suffrage" means:

• Something that causes physical pain

• A skirt that doesn't cover the ankles

• Something that causes emotional pain

• The right to vote

Multiple Choice

Expecting that his license would be renewed, he was surprised to find that instead his license had been revoked.

"Revoked" means:

• Renewed

• Revised

• Canceled

• Changed

Multiple Choice

Some people believe that the new energy law will increase the energy supply and decrease costs for customers. Other people believe that the new energy bill will decrease the energy supply and increase costs for customers. It's a controversy that will not go away soon.

A controversy is something that people _______.

• Need to pay for

• Can get for free

• Strongly agree about it

• Strongly disagree about it

Multiple Choice

If you don't curtail your spending, you'll be broke in no time at all!

Which word is a synonym of "curtail"?

• Reduce

• Increase

• Maintain

  (keep the same)

Multiple Choice

Mr. Huge was very proud of his auto superstore. “We have such an extensive selection of cars,” he said, “so everyone should find a vehicle that he or she will love!” The word “extensive” means __________.

• A large amount

• Expensive

• Having no color

• Not enough

Multiple Choice

In 1975, Governor James promised to do something about the high taxes in our state. She didn’t present a tax cut bill to lawmakers until 1985. It took her a decade to keep her promise, but better late than never.

How long is a decade?

• 75 years

• 85 years

• 100 years

• 10 years

Multiple Choice

Marsha is really an introvert. When I took her to Jason’s party, she sat in a corner without speaking to anyone. All she did was eat most of the snacks. The only reason she hangs out with me is because I never try to force her to be sociable. She would never forgive me if I introduced her to anyone.

An introvert is someone who is ________.

• Friendly

• Very hungry

• Shy

• Not clean

Multiple Choice

No one suspected that Jerry was a spy. On the surface he behaved like any normal citizen. When his covert activity was discovered and announced to the world, we were all shocked.

"Covert" means

• Helpful

• Hidden

• Friendly

• Loud

Multiple Choice

The workers stood in front of the factory and wondered what to do next. The doors were locked and the windows were boarded up. They doubted that they would even collect their final pay checks now that the company was insolvent.

"Insolvent" means

• Making too much money

• Broke, or out of money

• Hiring more workers

• Changing the name

Multiple Choice

Kim was a very good substitute teacher. She liked discussing important current events issues with the kids. She had expected them to be indifferent to such grownup topics as taxes and social security. She was pleasantly surprised to discover that they were really interested in those issues and wanted to learn more about them.

"Indifferent" means

• Similar

• Caring

• Not caring

• Not similar

Multiple Choice

The feral cat would not let us pet him at all, unlike our cat who loves being petted.

"Feral" means:

• Friendly

• Unfriendly

• Domesticated

• Wild

​Context Clues

+ Quicker and easier than a dictionary

- May result in an error

​

When do you know you made an error?

• You looked it up in the dictionary.

• Someone stares at you and looks confused.

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* Something to think about: Which method should you prefer?​