MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH INSTRUCTION: Unit 1, Lesson 4
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Focus of the lesson: using context, sentence structure, and
connotations to determine meanings and to differentiate
among multiple meanings of words
Please click on each link to access explanations and examples.
1.
CONTEXT CLUES
Vocabulary in Context
Teachers often encourage students to figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word
by looking at how it is used in the context of a sentence or a paragraph. It is
important to remember, however, that the context does not always provide
sufficient information to enable the reader to define the unfamiliar word. Types of
contexts include the following**:
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Misdirective contexts, which mislead the reader.
Nondirective contexts, which provide no assistance to the reader.
General contexts, which provide only enough information for the reader to
categorize the unknown word.
Directive contexts, which lead the reader to the specific, correct meaning for
a new word.
**NOTE: The information and examples of types of context are excerpted from the
Words Alive PowerPoint presentation that can be accessed on the VDOE website:
Wordsalive Vocabulary Acquisition
EXAMPLE OF A MISDIRECTIVE CONTEXT:
“Mr. Barry, ...this is just a courtesy call to do you the courtesy of interrupting your
dinner so I can ask you a question. …I hang up. But of course this does not stop
them. …they call again. That’s how courteous they are.”
Dave Barry, Richmond Times-Dispatch
November 12, 2000
Mr. Barry is, of course, describing the behavior of telemarketers. His use
of the word courteous is sarcastic, not literal.
EXAMPLE OF A NONDIRECTIVE CONTEXT:
“ There is a doggedness about [Charles] Wright’s treatment of these things that
becomes, as the poems pile up, somehow both humble and heroic.”
Ron Smith, Richmond Times-Dispatch
November 12, 2000
There is no information to help the reader to determine the meaning of the
word doggedness.
MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH INSTRUCTION: Unit 1, Lesson 4
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EXAMPLE OF A GENERAL CONTEXT:
“ ’Meat is contraband,’ the customs agent said as he confiscated the ham.’ ”
Jonathan Yardley, Richmond Times-Dispatch
November 12, 2000
The fact that a customs agent is involved in the action provides a sense
that something is wrong, but there is not enough information to help the
reader to define the underlined words.
EXAMPLE OF A DIRECTIVE CONTEXT:
“On the other hand, the windblown deposits of mineral-rich dust and silt called
loess have benefited farmers in China, the American Midwest and other parts of the
world.”
World Geography : Prentice Hall, page 51.
The word loess is actually defined in the sentence (“windblown deposits of
mineral-rich dust and silt”).
ACTIVITY 1-4-1
PRACTICE WITH CONTEXT CLUES
Read each sentence below, and then—
 circle the word that is the best meaning for the word as it is used in
the sentence
 write down the closest meaning type of context clue
(contrast/antonym, restatement/synonym, example or general
knowledge) that helps you define the meaning of the key term
1. Joan loves to buy exotic foods: vegetables and herbs from China, spices from
India, olives from Greece, and cheeses from France.
expensive
tasteless
rare
from other places
TYPE OF CLUE:
2. Emotionally disturbed people may be troubled by morbid thoughts. For
instance, they may often think about suicide or murder.
disturbing
TYPE OF CLUE:
dealing with death
psychologically ill
scary
MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH INSTRUCTION: Unit 1, Lesson 4
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3. At first, the surgery seemed to be successful. But several hours later, the
patient’s condition began to deteriorate, and it continued to worsen over the next
few days.
stabalize
surprise everyone
change
decay or decline
TYPE OF CLUE:
4. In Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by three
spirits who change him into a generous man.
cheapskate
single and elderly
unhappy
wealthy
TYPE OF CLUE:
5. Raul is an indulgent father. For instance, he lets his daughter stay up as late as
she likes and he never insists that she does her homework.
Lazy but caring
stupid but kind
strict and mean
lenient and tolerant
TYPE OF CLUE:
6. Languages evolve over time, as you can see if you open a page of The
Canterbury Tales, written about six hundred years ago by the English poet Chaucer.
It is barely recognizable as English today.
develop
age
increase complexity
regress
TYPE OF CLUE:
7. The decision Veronica made to study instead of going out for pizza with her
friends was prudent. She got an A on the exam, while her friends all got D’s.
anti-social
careful and wise
selfish
calculating
TYPE OF CLUE:
8. Whenever something bad happens to Jane, she ways it’s the fault of destiny.
But I prefer to take charge of my own life rather than simply blaming fate.
bad luck
evil caused by someone
TYPE OF CLUE:
poor planning
preordained event
MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH INSTRUCTION: Unit 1, Lesson 4
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9. My father died when I was a baby, but Mom told me so many stories about him
that I feel I knew him well. For example, one anecdote was about how he cried
with joy when I was born.
medicine or cure
biographical account
example
joke
TYPE OF CLUE:
10. Ivan is a wonderful piano player. But Jerri is more versatile; she sings, acts,
paints and writes poetry, and also plays the piano.
skillful
vain
multi-talented
popular
TYPE OF CLUE:
11. This third grade was full of precocious children. One child had learned to read
at two and another could do algebra at age 6.
rebellious
active
mentally advanced
pretty
TYPE OF CLUE:
12. I expected truthfulness from a doctor; I was shocked by his mendacity.
meanness
dishonesty
talkativeness
sincerity
TYPE OF CLUE:
13. When my grandfather meets someone with that much knowledge in a field, he
finds that their erudition frightens him and he is inclined to withdraw.
rudeness
scholarliness
illiteracy
sophistication
TYPE OF CLUE:
14. When going to an office party you should show your best decorum; for
example, dress your best, drink and eat moderately, and be sure to thank the host
before you leave.
manners
TYPE OF CLUE:
decorations
party moves
rudeness
MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH INSTRUCTION: Unit 1, Lesson 4
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15. We thought that the mother would be very distraught at hearing of her
husband's accident; however, she took the news quite calmly.
tranquil
angry
disgusted
anxious
TYPE OF CLUE:
16. It is refreshing to see students so excited, so zealous in doing their homework.
zany
2.
dedicated
indifferent
jealous
DENOTATION AND CONNOTATION
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Denotation refers to the literal meaning of a word—the "dictionary
definition." For example, if you look up the word snake in a dictionary, you
will discover that one of its denotative meanings is "any of numerous scaly,
legless, sometimes venomous reptiles having a long, tapering, cylindrical
body and found in most tropical and temperate regions."
Connotation, on the other hand, refers to the associations that are
connected to a certain word or the emotional suggestions related to that
word. The connotative meanings of a word exist together with the
denotative meanings. The connotations for the word snake could include
something or someone associated with evil or danger. For example: “Only
the lowest kind of snake could do something so cruel!”
MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH INSTRUCTION: Unit 1, Lesson 4
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ACTIVITY 1-4-2
DENOTATION AND CONNOTATION
Loaded Words: Using Denotation and Connotation
DIRECTIONS: Read each list of words below. Each word has a
different connotation, but has the same general denotation. Decide
what the general denotation is for each group. Write your answer on
the line provided. Then, number the words in each group from most
positive connotation to most negative connotation.
Example:
3.
4.
1.
5.
2.
thin
bony
slim
anorexic
slender
____thin____ (general denotation)
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
imprison
relocate
incarcerate
intern
evacuate
detain
lock-up
confine
_________________ (general denotation)
___
___
___
___
___
___
uprising
riot
demonstration
unlawful gathering
protest
disturbance
_____________________ (general denotation)
___
___
___
___
___
guerilla
freedom fighter
mercenary
soldier
terrorist
___
___
___
___
___
prisoner
evacuee
internee
detainee
inmate
__________________ (general denotation)
____internment camps
____detention camps
____assembly centers
____concentration camps
____prison camps
____relocation centers
____temporary detention centers
_____________________ (general denotation) __________________ (general denotation)
MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH INSTRUCTION: Unit 1, Lesson 4
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MULTIPLE MEANINGS
In English vocabulary, many words have multiple meanings. The meaning intended
by the speaker or writer can be determined only from the context in which the
word is used.
FOR EXAMPLE: When its use in idioms such as “run-off” and “the runs” is included,
the word run has 179 entries at Dictionary.com. Here are just a few:
1.
to go quickly by moving the legs more rapidly than at a walk and in such a manner that for
an instant in each step all or both feet are off the ground.
2.
to move with haste; act quickly: Run upstairs and get the iodine.
3.
to depart quickly; take to flight; flee or escape: to run from danger.
4.
to have recourse for aid, support, comfort, etc.: He shouldn't run to his parents with every
little problem.
5.
to make a quick trip or informal visit for a short stay at a place: to run up to New York; I will
run over to see you after dinner.
6.
to go around, rove, or ramble without restraint (often fol. by about): to run about in the
park.
A list of some of the most common words with multiple meanings can be accessed
at the following link:
Words With Multiple Meanings
MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH INSTRUCTION: Unit 1, Lesson 4
ACTIVITY 1-4-3
ACTIVITY FOR WORDS WITH MULTIPLE MEANINGS
DIRECTIONS: each word listed below has at least three different
definitions. Write three sentences for each word—each one illustrating a
different definition of the word.
EXAMPLE: DOG
1.
2.
3.
dog = a domesticated canine
dog = a disgraceful man or youth
dog = to follow or trail in an especially persistent manner
1. Our dog is a pure-bred collie.
2. Bob is such a dog that he deserted his wife and family.
3. Rumors of financial impropriety continue to dog that politician.
dogged by.
YOUR WORDS:
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beat
hand
jam
part
light
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