Context Clues Skills

Context clues give us clues about...

• the main characters

• the meaning of an unknown word in a sentence or paragraph

• the climax of the story

• the main conflict in a story

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

Which of the following are types of context clues?

• antonyms or contrasts

• synonyms or definitions

• repeating a word a lot

• examples

Tags

CCSS.L.4.4A

CCSS.L.4.5C

CCSS.L.5.4A

CCSS.L.5.5C

CCSS.L.6.4A

Mark some key words for when we use examples to help us understand a word

• such as

• like

• and

• for example

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.5.6

Read the following sentence. Pick the context clue that we're using: The vase is delicate because it can break easily.

• Synonym

• Definition

• Example

• Antonym or contrast

Tags

CCSS.L.4.4A

CCSS.L.4.5C

CCSS.L.5.4A

CCSS.L.5.5C

CCSS.L.6.4A

My friend is sometimes hasty when he does his homework. He does it too quickly and is careless.

• Examples

• Antonyms

• Definition

• Comparison

Tags

CCSS.L.4.4A

CCSS.L.4.5C

CCSS.L.5.4A

CCSS.L.5.5C

CCSS.L.6.4A

My sister is compassionate but can sometimes she can be mean.

• Definition

• Example

• Synonym

• Antonym

Tags

CCSS.L.4.4A

CCSS.L.4.5C

CCSS.L.5.4A

CCSS.L.5.5C

CCSS.L.6.4A

Mark some key words for antonyms or contrasts:

• on the other hand

• or

• but

• sometimes

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.5.6

Read the following sentence. Pick the context clue that we're using: I was astonished and amazed when I won free tickets to the concert!

• Synonym

• Example

• Inference

• Antonym

Tags

CCSS.L.4.4A

CCSS.L.4.5C

CCSS.L.5.4A

CCSS.L.5.5C

CCSS.L.6.4A

Why are context clues so important?

• Because sometimes we might now know what a word means but the author can give us clues that can show us the definition of a word.

• Because it's easier than using a dictionary.

• Because an author that gives us context is a better writer.

• Because writers can use clues such as examples, synonyms, definitions, antonyms and comparisons to give us clues about what tricky words mean.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.4

CCSS.RI.5.4

CCSS.W.4.2D

CCSS.W.5.2D

CCSS.W.6.2D

Mark some key words for synonyms and definitions:

• commas followed by a synonym

• comparisons

• quick definition

• for example

Tags

CCSS.L.4.4A

CCSS.L.4.5C

CCSS.L.5.4A

CCSS.L.5.5C

CCSS.L.6.4A