Context Clues Workshop

What are the best ways to figure out the meaning of a word in a text if, like for the written Matura, you don't have access to the internet?

His emaciation, that is, his skeleton-like appearance, was frightening to see.

What does emaciation mean?

Fluoroscopy, examination with a fluoroscope, has become a common practice.

What does fluoroscopy mean?

The dudeen – a short-stemmed clay pipe – is found in Irish folk tales.

What is a dudeen, taken directly from the text?

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

What type of animal does "piscatorial" refer to?

Celestial bodies, including the sun, moon, and stars, have fascinated man through the centuries.

Where are "celestial bodies" located?

In the course of man’s evolution, certain organs have atrophied. The appendix, for example, has wasted away from disuse.

What does "atrophied" mean, taken directly from the text?

Flooded with spotlights – the focus of all attention – the new Miss America began her year-long reign. She was the cynosure of all eyes for the rest of the evening.

What does cynosure mean, taken directly from the text?

When the light brightens, the pupils of the eyes contract; however, when it grows darker, they dilate.

What is dilate the opposite of?

The children were as different as day and night. He was a lively conversationalist, but she was reserved and taciturn.
What is taciturn the opposite of?