6 Types of Context Clues

Context Clues

There are six types of context clues.

We will go over each type and then determine the meaning of words based on those clues.

4.RL.4 Standard: Determine the meaning of words as they are used in a text.

TODAY'S LEARNING TARGET

I am learning to understand the different types of context clues.

I will...
- understand what each type of context clue is.
- recognize the keywords or key punctuation for each.

ELD LEARNING TARGET

I am learning to participate in discussions to understand the different types of context clues using the keywords and punctuation from the anchor chart.

I will...
- understand what each type of context clue is.
- recognize the keywords or key punctuation for each.

Definition Context Clues

The meaning of the word can be found in the text.

Multiple Choice

Mr. Fry is an affable principal. He is pleasantly easy to approach and always friendly.

What does affable mean based on our definition context clue?

• cranky and angry

• sad and scared

• pleasant and friendly

Appositive Context Clues

The words meaning is including and set apart by commas.

Open Ended

Mr. Fry is an affable, or friendly, principal. He remembers all the students' names and they all want to say hi to him each morning.

What appositive context clues can I use in this text to help me determine what affable means?

Which sentence is the meaning, which is set apart by commas, to help us understand affable?

Example Context Clues

An example of the word is included nearby.

Multiple Choice

Mr. Fry is an affable principal. He knows everybody's name. If you have a problem, talk to him.

What example context clue did the text give us, to help us know what affable means in the text?

• He knows everybody's name.

• If you have a problem, talk to him.

Synonym Context Clues

Same or similar word or meaning.

Multiple Choice

Mr. Fry is quite affable. In fact, he reminds me of Ms. Baker. Do you remember how kind she was?

Which word is a synonym for affable?

What word in the sentence means the same as affable?

• remember

• remind

• kind

Antonym Context Clues

Opposite word or meaning.

Multiple Select

I miss Mr. Fry.

Our new principal is cranky and unapproachable.

Mr. Fry was so affable.

What is the antonym context clue in this text that helps us determine what affable means? Choose all that apply.

Remember, antonym means opposite.

• kind

• cranky
• unapproachable
• helpful

Inference Context Clues

When we use inference context clues, there are no examples, no definitions, no synonyms, and no antonyms.

When inferencing we make an educated guess, choice, or decision from the evidence we are given.

Multiple Choice

You do not need to worry about talking to Mr. Fry. He is an affable principal.

What inference context clues can I use in this text to help me determine what affable means?

Which sentence helps us understand affable?

• You do not need to worry about talking to Mr. Fry.

• He is an affable principal.

• Mr. Fry

• principal

Guided Practice

Let's try 6 more different ones.

Any questions so far about what we are learning before we continue?

Multiple Choice

Martin Luther King, Jr. was an activist. Someone who works hard to make a change happen is called an activist.

Using your definition context clues, what is meaning of activist?

• someone who works hard to make a change happen

• someone who is a man

• someone who is an actor

Multiple Choice

The dog was enormous, or gigantic, and took up the whole couch in my living room.

Using your appositive context clues, what is meaning of enormous?

• something that is really small or tiny

• something that is weirdly shaped

• something that is really large or gigantic

Multiple Choice

I love all kinds of felines, including tigers, lions, and even my kitty, Fluffy.

Using your example context clues, what is meaning of feline?

• animals

• cat

• pets

Multiple Choice

The pudgy baby panda bear looked chubby and round.

Using your synonym context clues, what does pudgy mean?

Remember synonym means the same or similar.

• plump

• thin

• black and white

Multiple Choice

Unlike my parents, who love classical music, I detest it.

Using your antonym context clues, what does detest mean?

Remember, antonym means the opposite word or meaning

• love

• hate

• perform

Multiple Choice

Mike hit a rock as he was riding his bike to his grandma's house. When he arrived at her house, he was holding his elbow and sobbing.

Using your inference context clues, determine the meaning of sobbing?

• happy

• tired

• crying