Context Clues
DO NOW:
 Get your notebook and a copy of Midsummer
 Flip through the Midsummer book and write down 5
words you do not know the meaning of and the page
number and line number you found the word
 You will have 5 minutes to work
 This is INDIVIDUAL work
Now…swap notebooks with a neighbor
 You should now have your neighbor’s list
 WITHOUT using a dictionary, try to define as many
of the words as possible
 You will have 8 minutes to work
 This is INDIVIDUAL work
How do we figure out the meaning of a word we
DON’T know, without using a dictionary?
Context Clues
 When you don’t know the meaning of a word, you
can use context clues to determine the meaning.
 Context clues are words in the same sentence as the
word you don’t know. They may also be found in
other sentences before and after that word.
 All of these clues will help you understand how the
chosen word is used in the passage.
4 types of context clues
 Example: specific examples are used to define the term.
Celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon and stars, are governed by
predictable laws.
 Explanation: an explanation is given within the sentence
or in a sentence before or after the word.
The tornado annihilated the whole town to the point that nothing
was left standing.
 Synonym: a word with the same meaning is used in the
sentence.
His rancor, or hatred, of his brother has caused him to live his life as
a lonely person.
 Antonym: a word with the opposite meaning is used.
Although Mary was willing to play in the snow, Jack was reluctant
because he was so cold.
Context Clues – Guided Practice
1.
The girl who used to be very vociferous doesn't talk
much anymore.
Type of Clue: antonym
Meaning of underlined word: very talkative
2. Pedagogical institutions, including high schools,
kindergartens, and colleges, require community
support to function efficiently.
Type of Clue: example
Meaning of underlined word: educational
3. He was so parsimonious that he refused to give his
sons the few pennies they needed to buy pencils for
school. It hurt him to part with his money.
Type of clue: explanation
Meaning of underlined word: stingy, careful with
money
4. His pertinacity, or stubbornness, is the cause of
most of his trouble.
Type of clue: synonym
Meaning of underlined word: stubbornness
5. Rather than be involved in clandestine meetings,
they did everything quite openly.
Type of clue: antonym
Meaning of underlined word: secretive
Context Clues – Independent Practice
 Complete the context clues practice sheet (front and
back)
 Once you complete the quiz, bring it to me to get
checked
 If all is correct, you will receive the next worksheet
Exit Quiz
 On your half sheet of paper, answer the following questions:
1. What are two kinds of context clues that we discussed today?
2. I took the tome off the shelf and opened it to page 94. Then I began to read.
What does tome probably mean?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Food
Dream
Book
Coffee mug
3. Many ships have vanished during hurricanes. No survivors from the lost ships
have ever been found. What does vanished probably mean?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Arrived
Departed
Returned
Disappeared