Objective:
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings.

VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
Do you know the meaning of the word vital ?
Look at the sentence and see if the context —the words surrounding the unfamiliar word—helps you figure out the meaning of the word.
All animals share the same vital needs, such as food, water, and shelter.
What does vital mean?
A.
unimportant B.
necessary C.
surprising

VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
Food, water, and shelter are necessary needs.
The context helps you figure out that
“necessary.” vital means
All animals share the same vital needs, such as food, water, and shelter.
What does vital mean?
A.
unimportant B. necessary C.
surprising
Using context clues to understand the meaning of unfamiliar words will save you time when reading.

VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
There are four common types of context clues:
1 Examples
2 Synonyms
3 Antonyms
4 General Sense of the Sentence or Passage

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES
Examples
Look at the cartoon and see if the examples help you understand the meaning of the word alternative .
Frank and Ernest
Alternative means
A.
expensive B.
useless
Cartoon © by Thaves. All rights reserved.
C.
other

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES
Examples
Look at the cartoon and see if the examples help you understand the meaning of the word alternative .
Frank and Ernest
Alternative means
A.
expensive B.
useless C. other
The examples of alternative energy sources—wind power and solar power—help you understand that alternative means “other.”
Cartoon © by Thaves. All rights reserved.

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES
Examples
Examples are often introduced with signal words and phrases like
,
, and
.
,
Example
Throughout history, humans have built a wide variety of dwellings , including simple mud huts, stone
castles, and marble mansions.

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES
Synonyms
Look at the cartoon below about a pollster speaking to a citizen. Can you figure out the meaning of the word apathy ?
Apathy means
A.
hatred
B.
lack of interest or care
C.
kindness

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES
Synonyms
Look at the cartoon below about a pollster speaking to a citizen. Can you figure out the meaning of the word apathy ?
Apathy means
A.
hatred
B. lack of interest or care
C.
kindness
The synonym for apathy —expressed in the words of the citizen who says “I don’t care”—helps you understand that apathy means “a lack of interest or care.”

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES
Synonyms
Context clues are often found in the form of synonyms : one or more words that mean the same or almost the same as the unknown word.
Example
My best friend squandered all his money; his drinking and gambling wasted his earnings.

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES
Antonyms
Look at the cartoon below about the fighting couple who are visiting a marriage counselor. Can you figure out the meaning of the word compatible ?
Compatible means
A.
disappointing
B.
busy
C.
in agreement
Cartoon © Kevin Smith from www.CartoonStock.com.

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES
Antonyms
Look at the cartoon below about the fighting couple who are visiting a marriage counselor. Can you figure out the meaning of the word compatible ?
Compatible means
A.
disappointing
B.
busy
C. in agreement
The antonym “ combat ible” helps you figure out that compatible means “in agreement.”
Cartoon © Kevin Smith from www.CartoonStock.com.

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES
Antonyms
Antonyms are also useful as context clues.
Antonyms are words or phrases that mean the opposite of a word.
Example
Some teachers are too lenient . I’d rather have strict teachers who take class seriously.

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES
General Sense of the Sentence or Passage
Look at the cartoon below about the cavemen covering over drawings in their cave. Notice the caption, “First Graffiti Eradication
Program.” Can you figure out the meaning of the word eradication ?
That’s Life
Eradication means
A.
elimination
B.
expansion
C.
teaching
Cartoon © Mike Twohy. All rights reserved. www.cartoonist.com.

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES
General Sense of the Sentence or Passage
Look at the cartoon below about the cavemen covering over drawings in their cave. Notice the caption, “First Graffiti Eradication
Program.” Can you figure out the meaning of the word eradication ?
That’s Life
Eradication means
A. elimination
B.
expansion
C.
teaching
The image of drawings being painted over, which would remove them from sight, suggests that eradication means “elimination.”
Cartoon © Mike Twohy. All rights reserved. www.cartoonist.com.

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES
General Sense of the Sentence or Passage
Often, the context of a new word contains no examples, synonyms, or antonyms.
In such cases, you must become a detective and try to make a guess based on any clues provided .
Example
The newlyweds agreed to be very frugal in their shopping because the wanted to save enough money to buy a home.

VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
An Important Point about Textbook Definitions
• Textbook authors often provide definitions of important terms and give examples of the term.
• They usually set off their definitions in
boldface type. italic or
Example: The changing work force has changed lifestyles and needs. No wonder many workers have found flextime a desirable choice. Instead of working the standard nine-to-five day, five days a week, they choose their own hours. . . .