Context Clues 4-28-21

Context Clues 4-28-21

Contexts Clues Are:

• Used to determine the meaning of an unknown word when we are reading

• "Hints" in the text that help us define the word

• Can be given in 4 different ways: giving examples, using the definition, comparing using synonyms, and contrasting using antonyms

Context Clue #1: Giving Examples

Sometimes a text will give you an example of the word that helps us determine its meaning.

Context Clue that Uses an Example, #1

I knew Mark’s ailurophobia was in full force because he began trembling, screamed, and ran out of the room when he saw my cat, Ludwig, slink out from under the bed.

Clues to help define ailurophobia:

• began trembling

• screamed

• ran out of the room

• when he saw my cat

Multiple Choice

From the clues, ailurophobia must mean

• love of cats

• love of alligators

• fear of cats

• fear of alligators

**Tip**

Look for signal words like such as, for instance, and for example. These words signal that a word’s meaning may be revealed through an example.

Multiple Choice

Let's Practice: The English teacher presented the students with several conundrums such as word games, brain teasers, and brain twisters to solve. Conundrums are:

• riddles or puzzles

• drums

• parts of the brain

• tests

Multiple Choice

After the game, the stadium floor was covered in rubbish such as many empty cups, popcorn kernels, dirty napkins and ticket stubs.

• food

• souvenirs

• valuables

• garbage

Multiple Choice

Our baseball team's pitcher has a few eccentric habits, for example, he has to touch his hat exactly thirteen times before the game starts, he keeps a lucky rock in his cleat, and he never wears socks.

• messy

• strange

• normal

• angry

Multiple Choice

Different animals have different adaptations that are important to them. For instance, webbed feet help ducks swim faster, striped fur helps tigers blend into their environment, and sharp teeth help lions tear and chew their prey.

• characteristics that help an animal survive

• eating habits

• hunting skills

• places they live

Context Clue #2 -- Definition

The definition of the unfamiliar word is given in the same sentence or in a sentence that is close by in the text.

Multiple Choice

Example #1 using the definition. The surfer's ability to get back on her surfboard after her shark attack was a result of her pertinacity, or unwillingness to give up.

• fear of sharks

• pain

• unwillingness to give up

• laziness

HINT

Look for clues such as a comma, dash, or the word "or." The definition will usually come next.

Multiple Choice

I think Mr. Banzer should make an amendment or change in the school district's policy and allow class pets.

• rule

• limit

• refuse

• change

Multiple Choice

Opossums, koalas, kangaroos and wallabies are just some examples of marsupials - mammals that have a pouch and carry their young.

• mammals that carry their young in a pouch

• animals from Australia

• animals that bounce

• animals that make good pets

Multiple Choice

The doctor told Matt to stay off his broken foot for 2 weeks if he wanted to recuperate, or recover, from his surgery and get back on the soccer field.

• win the lottery

• get better/recover from an injury

• stay the same

• become a couch potato

Context Clue #3 - Analogies with Synonyms

Analogies can help show the relationship between words by comparing them. A synonym is a word that has the same or a similar meaning to another word. Use the synonym in the sentence to help identify the unknown word.

Multiple Choice

Example #1 Using Similes:

After the heavy rains, the stream became murky; in fact, the water was so cloudy you couldn't see the bottom.

• clear

• cold

• cloudy

• frigid

Multiple Choice

I'm looking for a unique gift for my dad; he appreciates unusual things.

• unusual

• one

• colorful

• expensive

Multiple Choice

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

• awful

• stormy

• crowded

• perfect

Multiple Choice

Tommy was felt remorse for the awful things he said to his little brother. The guilt kept him up all night.

• anger

• guilt or regret

• sadness

• frustration

Context Clue #4: Contrasting using Antonyms

• An antonym is a word that has an opposite meaning.

• Find key words or phrases like 'although,' 'even though,' 'unlike' or 'but.'

• They signify that the opposite will happen, and will help to reveal the meaning of the unknown word.

Multiple Choice

Using Antonyms Example #1: The feral cat would not let us pet him, unlike our friendly house cat. ('Unlike' tells us finding the antonym -or opposite- is going to help. If animals don't live in houses, they live in the____).

• domesticated

• housebroken

• wild

• ferocious

Multiple Choice

The woman abhorred cleaning house, but she

loved a spotless home.

• hated

• enjoyed

• labored

• worked hard

Multiple Choice

Although motorboats were prohibited at the lake, sailboats were allowed.

• enjoyed

• forbidden

• produced

• accepted

Multiple Choice

Even though he ate a lot, the lanky dog was not fat.

• large

• aggressive

• skinny

• wild

Great Job!!!