Context Clues (Reading strategies)

​Context Clues

You are word detectives. ​

​What if I don't know what a word means?

We use context clues to figure out the meaning of the unknown word.

Multiple Choice

What is a context clue?

• Clues that readers use to find the meaning of unknown words.

• Clues that readers use to figure out the setting.

• Clues that readers use to find out the theme of the story.

• Clues that readers use to figure out the character's names.

​Inferencing

Sometimes the author does not give us the definition. We can use clues in the text to INFER the meaning of unknown words.

​

Think...What is happening in the sentence?

Multiple Choice

You don't need to worry about talking to Mrs. Charles. She is an affable principal.

• mean

• friendly

• smart

• scary

Multiple Choice

Based on the context clues in the sentence below, ornate means:

The large vase was covered from top to bottom in a hand carved and ornate design. It must have taken weeks, or even months to create!!

• simple

• beautiful

• relieved

• detailed

Open Ended

Jason was in a somber mood after he heard the bad news.

What is the meaning of SOMBER? How do you know?

Multiple Choice

I implore you to think again and vote for a different government. The one we currently have is ridiculous!

• should

• suggest

• beg

• meet

​Definitions

​

• Sometimes the author puts the definition IN the sentence or in the text around the sentence.

Open Ended

On Friday, we visited the arboretum, a garden dedicated to the exhibition of trees and plants.

What does 'arboretum' mean?

Open Ended

Diane was lethargic; she didn't have the energy to get out of bed.

What does 'lethargic' mean?

​Synonyms & Antonyms

​

​Synonyms are words that have the same or similar meaning.

​Example: Happy and joyful

Antonyms are words that mean the opposite

Example: Freezing and scorching

​Sometimes you can use synonyms and antonyms in the sentences around the unknown word to figure out what it means!

​

Multiple Choice

There are small yellow flowers growing in the field by the school. Please be careful not to trample the flowers as you walk across the field. Watch each step you take so the school can keep these pretty flowers safe.

What does the word trample mean in this paragraph?

• pick up

• step on

• jump over

• throw down

Poll

The sweltering weather made the baseball game very uncomfortable. We tried using paper fans, but it didn't help much.

• rainy

• stormy

• windy

• very hot

Multiple Choice

At the restaurant we were offered a variety of beverages, like milk and ice tea.

• bread

• silverware

• drinks

• milk

Multiple Choice

Animals live in diverse and varied communities. 

What is the meaning of the word diverse?

• the same

• very different

• weird

• normal

Multiple Choice

My father's favorite salutation is "Howdy, friend!"

• greeting

• question

• sentence

• answer

Open Ended

Write an antonym for the word cold: (not 'hot)

Open Ended

Write a synonym for the word large: (not 'big)