Types of Context Clues

Use context clues to determine the meaning of the underlined word.

My grandfather tells me many stories of how he had to toil in the fields when he was young. In fact, he had to quit school after sixth grade so he could earn money to help his family.

• do very hard, tiring work

• drive a tractor

• play outside

• run

What kind of context clue is given in this sentence? The team was elated because they just found out they placed in the semifinals.

• Definition

• Synonym (something similar)

• Antonym (something different)

• Explanation

• List of Examples

Which refers to hints within a sentence that can be used to understand an unfamiliar word?

• context clues

• definition

• context

• setting

What do you call a part of a discourse that surround a word or passage and throws light on its meaning?

• context

• clues

• examples

• synonyms

The phrase that is, and punctuation marks such as commas, dashes, and parentheses are used to introduce what type of clue?

• definition clue

• contrast clue

• inference clue

• example clue

What type of context clue uses examples to help readers determine the meaning of the unfamiliar word?

• definition clue

• synonym clue

• antonym clue

• example clue

In the sentence, "The children were as different as day and night. He was a lively conversationalist, but she was a taciturn." What type of context clue is used?

• defintion clue

• synonym clue

• example clue

• contrast clue

Which of the following clues compels the readers to make an educated guess about the meaning of the unfamiliar word in the sentence?

• definition clue

• example clue

• inference clue

• cause and effect clue

Determine the meaning of the underlined word based on context.

It is difficult to imagine a surfeit of talent in one individual, yet Leonard Bernstein simply does not have the time to make complete use of his talent as conductor, performer, writer, and lecturer.

• excess

• variety

• superiority

• lack

What type of context clue is used when a sentence provides a word's meaning directly after the word?

• Definition clue

• Synonym clue

• Antonym clue

• Example clue