Defining Unfamiliar Words with Context Clues

Tucker provides five tips for using context clues to define unfamiliar words. These include analyzing word parts, breaking down sentences, hunting for clues like definitions and synonyms, considering connotative meanings, and testing educated guesses. An example from 'The Giver' is used to demonstrate these strategies, emphasizing their importance for improving reading comprehension and preparing for tests like the SAT.

What does the prefix 'bi-' typically indicate about a word's meaning?

• Referring to a period of time

• Related to water

• Indicating a quantity of two

• Describing a type of life form

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4B

CCSS.L.3.4C

CCSS.RF.3.3A

CCSS.RF.4.3A

CCSS.RF.5.3A

What is the first step in using context clues to define an unfamiliar word?

• Looking for synonyms

• Analyzing the word's parts

• Finding the word in a dictionary

• Asking someone else

Tags

CCSS.L.6.4A

CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.L.7.5B

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

How can the structure of a sentence help in understanding an unfamiliar word?

• By including synonyms or antonyms

• By highlighting the word in bold

• By using the word in various forms

• By providing a definition elsewhere in the text

Tags

CCSS.L.6.4A

CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.L.7.5B

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

Why is it useful to break down a sentence when encountering an unfamiliar word?

• To find the word's definition directly stated

• To change the topic of the sentence

• To ignore the unfamiliar word

• To focus on the punctuation marks

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

Why might an author define a word directly in the text?

• To avoid using synonyms

• To make the text more complex

• To assist the reader in understanding

• To increase the text's length

Tags

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.L.9-10.6

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.W.7.2D

What role do synonyms play in understanding unfamiliar words?

• They provide the opposite meaning

• They decorate the text without adding meaning

• They are unrelated words that can be ignored

• They offer similar meanings that can give clues

Tags

CCSS.L.6.4A

CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.L.7.5B

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

What can antonyms in a sentence indicate about an unfamiliar word?

• A similar meaning

• A contrasting meaning

• No relation to the meaning

• The exact definition

Tags

CCSS.L.6.4A

CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.L.7.5B

CCSS.L.8.4A

CCSS.L.9-10.4A

How can connotations help in guessing the meaning of an unfamiliar word?

• By indicating the historical context

• By showing the word's emotional or cultural association

• By providing a scientific explanation

• By detailing the grammatical usage

Tags

CCSS.L.7.5C

CCSS.L.8.5C

CCSS.L.9-10.5B

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

What does 'attentive' likely mean based on its use in the example from 'The Giver'?

• Distracted

• Observant or paying close attention

• Uninterested

• Confused

Tags

CCSS.L.1.5D

CCSS.L.2.5B

CCSS.L.3.5C

CCSS.L.K.5D

In the example from 'The Giver', what clue suggests 'attentive' has a positive connotation?

• The father's shyness

• The ceremony's importance

• The sister's desire to ride a bike

• The family's pride

Tags

CCSS.L.7.5C

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.9-10.4