Unfamiliar Words
Connections
While reading a book for school or
a document for work, how often
do you come across a word you
don’t understand? Do you continue
to read and hope you still get the
meaning? Do you try to understand
it? Do you give up and put the
book down?
Understanding words is fundamental to reading. You can’t
make sense of what you’re reading if you can’t make sense of
the words.
Looking up words in a dictionary isn’t always practical, and it isn’t always the best way to
really understand a word’s meaning. By using context clues and word parts, you can understand unfamiliar words while you’re reading.
Context clues are clues in nearby words and sentences that help you find a word’s meaning.
Context = What’s Nearby
Word parts are the root word, prefixes, and suffixes that make up a word.
• A root word forms the base or main part of a word.
• A prefix comes before the root and changes the meaning of the word.
• A suffix comes after the root and changes the meaning of the word.
Word Meaning = Prefix Meaning + Root Meaning + Suffix Meaning
51
Essential Reading Skills
Learn
It!
Using Context Clues
If you come across a word you don’t know, you can use context clues in nearby
words to find the meaning. Read around the word to see if the rest of the sentence and paragraph can help you.
Look for Examples
When you identify a word you don’t know, look for examples that show
what the word might mean, and use them to try to understand the word.
Signal words are words that give you clues about what’s nearby.
Examples
Signal words for examples: such as, for example, including
?
1 . Many early pioneers who headed west faced tribulations, such as
starvation, illness, and extreme weather.
What examples of tribulations are in this sentence?
This sentence includes examples of tribulations: starvation, illness, and extreme weather.
Based on the examples of tribulations in the sentence, you can guess that tribulations are
severe problems.
Look for Synonyms
A synonym, a word with a similar meaning to the unknown word, can also
be a context clue. You’ll often find a synonym of the unfamiliar word in
the same sentence or paragraph.
Synonyms
Signal words for synonyms: as, is, or, are
?
2 . Cell phones have become ubiquitous; you can see and hear
them everywhere.
Which word in the sentence is a synonym for ubiquitous?
Everywhere is a synonym for ubiquitous. The second half of the sentence explains what the
author means by ubiquitous.
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Unfamiliar Words
Look for Antonyms
An antonym is a word with a meaning that’s opposite of the unknown
word. Antonyms are often found in nearby text.
Antonyms
Signal words for antonyms: however, than, but, yet, on the other hand,
in contrast
?
3 . A memo that is brief and to the point is more likely to be read than
one that is verbose and rambling .
In this sentence, what are the antonyms for verbose and rambling?
The word than signals that a word of opposite meaning is coming. Brief and to the point are
antonyms of verbose and rambling. Verbose and rambling mean the opposite: long and not
keeping to the point.
Check Your Meaning Using Substitution
After you have an idea of what an unknown word might mean, check your idea. Substitute
your meaning for the unknown word in the sentence. Does it make sense? If it does, you’ve
got the right meaning.
?
4 . Many early pioneers who headed west faced tribulations, such as starvation, illness,
and extreme weather.
Replace the word tribulations with your definition. Does the meaning make sense?
Here is an example of a definition substituted for the word:
Many early pioneers who headed west faced severe problems, such as starvation,
illness, and extreme weather.
The definition makes sense, so it’s probably correct.
53
Essential Reading Skills
e
ic
Pract
It!
Use context clues to determine the meaning of the words in the passages.
Most surprising of all, germs can survive on an inanimate object and will
eventually be picked up by the next person who touches that object. Think
about how many objects we touch each day. We don’t even think about germs as
we touch tabletops, doorknobs, toilets, light switches, or money, to name a few.
1 . What does the word inanimate mean? Write your own definition.
2 . How did you reach that conclusion?
3 . Write your own sentence using the word inanimate.
After the altercation with his former best friend, he was asked to pay for the
damage the fight had caused and not to return to the location.
4 . What does the word altercation mean? Write your own definition.
5 . How did you reach that conclusion?
6 . Write your own sentence using the word altercation.
54
Unfamiliar Words
Read the passage. Show your understanding of the vocabulary in the passage by answering
the questions that follow.
Joe balked at the idea that he needed to tip the waitress 20 percent. She had given
him slow service in the restaurant all night, despite the fact that there were only
two other couples in the restaurant. Joe wanted to show his date that he had impeccable taste in restaurants, but he feared that he had disappointed her with the
food and service.
7 . Who do you know that has impeccable taste? How do they show it?
8 . Have you ever balked at something a politician, an actor, a family member, or a friend
said? What was it? Why did you react that way?
9 . Write a question that uses the word balked. Answer the question, showing your
understanding of the word.
10 . Write a question that uses the word impeccable. Answer the question, showing your
understanding of the word.
55
Essential Reading Skills
Learn
It!
Using Word Parts
By breaking up an unknown word into parts—roots, prefixes, and suffixes—it
can be easier to find the word’s meaning.
Break Apart the Word
If an unknown word has multiple syllables, chances are there are parts of the word that
might look familiar. Separate the word by prefix, root, and suffix. Have you heard any of the
word parts before?
?
1 . Break up the word justify into word parts. Can you recognize any of the parts on
their own?
Prefix
Root
Suffix
The word justify has no prefix. The root is just- and the suffix is -ify.
Determine the Meaning of Word Parts
Chances are you probably have heard the word just before,
either by itself or as part of other words. The ending -ify
is also a common suffix. Think about other words you
know with similar endings. They probably also have
similar meanings.
?
2 . Based on words you know, guess the meaning of
each of these word parts.
just-ify
The root just- can be found in words like justice and unjust,
which are about being fair and reasonable. “Fair and reasonable” might be a good definition of the root just-. The
suffix -ify is found at the end of words such as fortify (to
make secure) or clarify (to show or make clear) and means
“to make or show.”
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Unfamiliar Words
Determine the Meaning of the Word
If you put the meaning of the word parts together, you can get a good idea of what the
word means.
Word Meaning = Prefix Meaning + Root Meaning + Suffix Meaning
?
3 . Based on the root and suffix, what does the word justify mean?
If you combine the two word parts, justify means to make or show to be fair or reasonable.
You might guess it means to show that something’s reasonable.
Check Your Meaning Using Substitution
After you have an idea of what an unknown word might mean, it’s time to check your idea.
Substitute your meaning for the unknown word in the sentence to see if it makes sense. If it
does, you’ve got the correct meaning.
?
4 . She justified her overreaction by saying that she had not gotten enough sleep the
previous night.
Replace the word justified with your definition. Does the meaning make sense?
Reading for
Understanding
You might put in your definition like this:
She [showed to be reasonable] her overreaction by saying that
she had not gotten enough sleep the previous night.
The wording sounds a little strange, but the meaning makes sense if
you rearrange the words:
She showed that her overreaction was reasonable.
Anytime you think
you might know
what a word means,
you can insert a
similar word in its
place. Does the
similar word
make sense?
57
Essential Reading Skills
e
ic
Pract
It!
Answer the following questions.
1 . Divide the words below into their parts (prefixes, roots, and suffixes),
and think through the meaning of each word part. Combine the meanings of each part to guess the meaning of the word.
Word
Prefix
Root
Suffix
Word Parts
Ex: Amorphous
a-
-morph-
-ous
Definitions
Having the quality of no shape
None, without
Shape
Having a quality
Word Parts
Ambidextrous
Definitions
Word Parts
Transformation
Definitions
Word Parts
Nonconformity
Definitions
2 . The money he had left in his bank account would be insufficient to pay for fixing the
leak in his roof.
a . Analyze the word parts of the word insufficient.
b . Write a definition of the word insufficient.
3 . The police determined that the arsonist was a pyromaniac.
a . Analyze the word parts of the word pyromaniac.
b . Write a definition of the word pyromaniac.
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Unfamiliar Words
Check Your Skills
Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.
Researchers have found a connection between
heading, using the head to hit a soccer ball, and
changes in the brain. The more heading people do,
the more likely their thinking and memory will be
affected. Doctors discovered more structural abnormalities in the brains of people who frequently
used heading in soccer. Research also showed that
these people are more likely to perform poorly on
cognitive tests, especially tests involving memory.
Doctors are hesitant to say that heading caused
the changes, however. They acknowledge a connection but won’t confirm that heading is directly
the cause of brain changes. To know for certain,
doctors say they would need to perform a longitudinal study that observes people
over a period of decades.
Soccer is the world’s most popular sport, and heading is a common technique. In
official games, players head the ball between six and 12 times, and often more. In
this top level of play, the ball can move at velocities of 50 miles per hour or more.
Doctors say it is not surprising that this might result in changes to the brain.
1 . According to the text, what does heading mean?
a . To head out or leave
b . To use your head to hit a ball
c . To use your brain to think
d . Something that causes brain problems
2 . What does longitudinal mean in this passage?
a . Observing over long periods of time
b . To move straight up and down
c . To move from side to side
d . Observing different items sequentially
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Essential Reading Skills
3 . Which word or phrase most directly shows you the definition of longitudinal?
a . “for certain, they would need”
b . “head the ball between six and 12 times”
c . “observes people over a period of decades”
d . “especially tests involving memory”
4 . What does velocities mean in this passage?
a . Speeds
b . Travels
c . Organizations
d . Rules
5 . Which word or phrase most directly shows you the definition of velocities?
a . “top level of play”
b . “of 50 miles per hour or more”
c . “head the ball an average of six to 12 times”
d . “longitudinal study”
6 . Which word is a synonym for abnormalities?
a . Interesting facts
b . Irregularities
c . Regular changes
d . Diseased areas
7 . Which word is most closely related to the word abnormality?
a . Abs
b . Mality
c . Normal
d . It
Remember
the Concept
• Read around a word
for context clues.
• Break up a word to
analyze word parts.
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Answers and Explanations
Unfamiliar Words
page 51
Using Context Clues
Practice It!
pages 54–55
1. A non-living or unmoving object
2. There are several examples of inanimate objects in the passage such as doorknobs,
money, and tabletops. If you think about what they have in common, they are all nonliving things. In- is also a prefix that means not. Animate, as in animated movie, means
that something moves. Inanimate means non-moving and non-living.
3. She was startled when she ran into something, but she was relieved to find that it was
an inanimate object.
4. A fight or argument that often results in a disturbance
5. By using context clues in the sentence, you can tell that fight is a synonym for altercation.
6. She was fired from the store after she had an altercation with an impatient customer.
7. You might have a sister with impeccable taste in clothing who looks well put together
and gets compliments on everything she wears.
8. You might have balked at an advertisement promising that you would drop 10 pounds in
a week if you took a particular supplement. It doesn’t sound healthy or possible.
9. Have you ever balked at something your mom told you?
Yes! I balked when I was visiting her and she told me I had to be home by midnight. I’m
25 years old and don’t need to be treated like a child.
10. How do you know when someone has impeccable taste?
Everything they like or recommend is the best of the best.
Using Word Parts
Practice It!
page 58
1.
Word
Prefix
Root
Suffix
Word Parts
Ex: Amorphous
a-
-morph-
-ous
Definitions
Having the quality of no shape
None, without
Shape
Having a quality
Word Parts
Ambidextrous
ambi-
-dex-
-trous
Definitions
Able to use both hands equally
Both
Hands
Having a quality
i
Essential Reading Skills
Word Parts
Transformation
trans-
-form-
-ation
Definitions
Process of turning into
something else
Change
Appearance,
form
In a state or
process
Word Parts
Nonconformity
non-
-conform-
-ity
Definitions
Not following expected rules
or standards
Not; absence of
Following rules
or standards
Showing a state
or condition
2a. in-
Not
-suffi-
Enough
-cient
A quality or state
2b. Not enough
3a. pyro-Fire
-mania- Craze or desire
-ac
Person
3b. A person who has a craze for fire
Check Your Skills
1. b. To use your head to hit a ball
2. a. Observing over long periods of time
3. c. “observes people over a period of decades”
4. a. Speeds
5. b. “of 50 miles per hour or more”
6. b. Irregularities
7. c. Normal
ii
pages 59–60