AP1B-8
Education in the US: Guessing the Meaning
When you find a new vocabulary word while reading, don’t immediately go to the dictionary.
Instead, guess the meaning of the new word from context.
What is context?
the words that come just before and after a word or sentence and that help you understand its
meaning
Why is guessing the meaning from context important?
Discuss this with your neighbor for 2 minutes. List 3 ways this helps you as a language learner:
1. ___________________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________________
How do I guess the meaning from context?
Look for clues that you help understand its meaning. Look in the sentences before and after
the new word. Don’t worry if you cannot guess the exact meaning of the word. It is not always
necessary to know the exact meaning. If you understand the main idea, keep reading!
What should I look for?
Antonyms or Contrasts - These words or phrases show the opposite of the new word.
Clues: but, in contrast, however, instead of, unlike, yet
Example: Maria is quiet and shy, but her sister is quite garrulous.
Definitions or Examples - These words of phrases define, explain, or provide examples of the
new word.
Clues: is defined as, means, for example, for instance
(Often a definition or example is after a comma (,), dash (-), or in parentheses( ).)
Examples: When immigrants move to a new country, they must acclimate, or adapt to the
different culture.
Sedentary children often have health problem. For example, kids who mostly play video games
instead of sports are at risk for obesity.
TLC Project 2010 – Permission granted for classroom use only
AP1B-8
Synonyms or Restatements - These words or phrases have the same or similar meaning as the
new word.
Clues: in other words, that is, also known as, sometimes called, or, i.e. (stand for the Latin id
est, which means “that is”)
Example: She is completely ambidextrous. In other words, she can write equally well with her
left hand or her right hand.
General Knowledge or Logic – Use the overall meaning of the sentences to guess the meaning
of a new word using common sense or your life experience.
Example: David adapts quickly to new cultures because he pays close attention to the small
social cues that help him learn the correct behavior.
Practice: Read the sentences from Education in the US. Write a definition for the underlined
word. What kind of clue is given? (antonym, definition, synonym, general knowledge)
1. The last four years of secondary school are generally referred to as “high school.”
2. All states require students to attend school, but the ages of compulsory attendance vary
by state.
3. States set broad curriculum guidelines for what students should know and be able to
do.
4. [Other students] drop out…and decide to complete the…GED certificate program, which
is recognized in all states as the equivalent of a high school diploma.
TLC Project 2010 – Permission granted for classroom use only