Name _______________________
Teacher ____________________
Date ________________________
Period ______________________
English I
Fall 2011
Resources
Vocabulary Context Clues Methods
Vocabulary is very important. Research has shown that the number one way to INCREASE
YOUR STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES IN ANY SUBJECT AREA IS TO INCREASE YOUR
VOCABULARY. There are many methods available that will help you before the test, but
these are some methods you can utilize the day of the test to help you with any vocabulary
issue or question.
There are many ways to determine the definition of a word using clues given in its context
or usage in a sentence or passage, or at least find information to determine enough about
the word to answer a multitude of vocabulary usage questions. The 6 methods are:
example, definition/restatement, synonym/comparison, antonym/contrast, inference, and
word parts (prefixes, suffixes, root words).
1. Definition/Restatement: Sometimes a writer will actually define the word in the
sentence. These are obviously the easiest to use.
Example Sentence: Metal can be made more flexible by annealing, which is a process
of heating followed by slow cooling.
Key Words: which is, or, also known as, that is, in other words, also called
2. Example: Some writers may give examples that illustrate a word’s meaning. By
examining these examples you can most likely get an idea of the meaning of the word.
Example Sentence: Many American Indian Languages, such as Chippewa and
Tillamook, are extremely complex.
Key Words: The university had several excellent entymologists on its staff. These
included Dr. Tower, a specialist on flying insects, and Dr. Mistri, an expert on the
effects of pesticides on insects.
3. Synonym/Comparison: A writer may provide clues to the meaning of a word by
drawing a comparison using similar more familiar words. BY identifying the similarities,
readers can learn the meaning of the new word.
Example Sentence: The dirigible, like a huge silver balloon, floated above the
stadium with an advertising banner streaming out behind it.
Key Words: like, in the same way, resembling, similarly, identical, as, similar to,
likewise, also, related
4. Antonym/Contrast: Writers sometimes provide clues to unfamiliar words by
contrasting them with ones that are familiar. By determining what the new word does NOT
mean you can get an idea of what it does mean.
Example Sentence: Zinc, is a naturally-occurring element. Einsteinium, on the other
hand, is not.
Key Words: but, however, on the other hand, dissimilar, although, on the contrary,
unlike, different
5. Inference: Some clues to word meanings are even harder to find. These require the
reader to look “between the lines”. These are inferences. There are 3 types of inferences in
these instances.
A. Inference from main idea or supporting details
B. Inference from cause and effect
C. Inference from implied comparison or contrast
Example Passage: You have only to turn on your radio to see how eclectic America’s
musical tastes are. At any time of day you are sure to find jazz, rock, show tunes, and
county songs. A twist of the dial may bring you “easy listening” music, a string
quartet, a symphony, or an opera. Turn the dial again, and you may find electronic
music.
6. Word Parts: Many words are made up of one or many word parts. You can increase your
knowledge of new words by analyzing any word parts. There are 4 types of word parts.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Prefix
Suffix
Base word
Root word
Example: unquestionable
Prefix: un
Base Word: question
Suffix: able
*Word Suffixes are especially useful as they can help you to determine what part of
speech the word is. Many times when answering vocabulary questions you can
make an educated guess about the correct answer, if you can determine the part of
speech given or needed, EVEN IF YOU CANNOT DEFINE THE WORD. Use the chart
provided to help you commit some of the common suffixes and their correlating part
of speech to memory.