On the
Search
for
Context
Clues
By Deb
Hanson ©2013
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Deb-Hanson
On the
Search
for
Context
Clues
Has this ever happened to you?
• Sammy is reading.
• He comes to a word he doesn’t recognize…
What
should
he do?
He should look for context clues!
There are
5 main
types of
context
clues!
#1
Definition or Explanation
Clues
TOP SECRET
Sometimes the
author defines the
word for the reader
soon after it is used
in a sentence.
#1
Definition or Explanation
Clues
EXAMPLE:
A cacophony of noises surrounded the
group of people. Cacophony is a mixture
of harsh sounds.
#2
Synonym or Restatement
Clues
Sometimes the
author uses a
synonym, or restates
the word in a
simpler way.
TOP SECRET
#2
Synonym or Restatement
Clues
EXAMPLE:
As the cacophony came through the
phone line, he pulled it away from his
ear to lessen some of the harsh sounds.
#3
Antonym or
Contrast
Clues
TOP SECRET
Sometimes the
author presents the
opposite meaning
somewhere nearby
so that two words
can be contrasted.
#3
Antonym or
Contrast
CluesEXAMPLE:
After spending the
day at the peaceful
spa, the woman was
shocked by the
cacophony that hit
her when she opened
the door to the
daycare center.
#4
Inference
Clues
Sometimes the word is not
clarified in the same
sentence. The reader must
look for clues and make
connections to their own
experiences or what they
already know about a topic.
TOP SECRET
#4
Inference thatI know
sometimes
if there is a lot of noise
Clues at night,
I can’t sleep. I bet
EXAMPLE:
The cacophony of
war was challenging
for the soldiers to
handle. There were
many nights when it
was difficult for
them to sleep.
there is a lot of noise from
guns during war. I think
cacophony must be
a horrible type of
noise.
#5
Example
Clues
TOP SECRET
Sometimes the
author includes
examples to explain
the meaning of a
word.
#5
Example
Clues
EXAMPLE:
A cacophony of owl
hoots, chirping
crickets, and
howling wolves
surrounded us. I
couldn’t wait to
return home to my
own bed.
Let’s search for
word meanings
using
Context Clues!
Amy has altophobia. You will never find her
at the top of a mountain!
What do YOU think altophobia means?
How did you use context clues to help you
determine the meaning?
Note: Different people may use different clues!
Hmm…
altophobia
Answer
Altophobia is the fear of
heights!
It is somewhat surprising that Kristi has
mottephobia. After all, she loves butterflies!
What does mottephobia
mean?
How do you know?
Hmm…
mottephobia
Answer
Mottephobia is the fear of
moths!
Jaime has amaxophobia. He has a fear of
riding in cars.
What does amaxophobia
mean?
How do you know?
Hmm…
amaxophobia
Answer
Amaxophobia is the fear of
riding in cars.
My sister will not go to the circus. She has
coulrophobia. When she sees a person with
white make-up, a big red nose, crazy hair, and
gigantic feet, she is frightened beyond belief!
What does coulrophobia
mean?
How do you
Hmm…
coulrophobia
know?
Answer
Coulrophobia is the fear of
clowns.
Brandon is totally different than his brother,
Alex. Alex loves anything spooky like ghosts,
witches, and zombies, but Brandon has
Samhainophobia. He won’t even go trick-ortreating!
What does Samhainophobia
mean?
How do you
Hmm…
know?
Samhainophobia
Answer
Samhainophobia is the fear
of Halloween.
Melissa has melissophobia. It started when
she was a kindergartener, and she was stung
ten times when she was walking home from
school.
What does melissophobia
mean?
How do you
Hmm…
melissophobia
know?
Answer
Melissophobia is the fear of
bees.
Before the game yesterday, Luke was active
and excited. Today, however, he seems rather
melancholy.
1. Which of the following words means about
the same as melancholy?
a. happy
b. gloomy
c. surprised
d. shy
Which type of context
clue
That movie looks intriguing to me.
I want to see it!
2. Which of the following words means
about
the same as intriguing?
a. interesting
b. ugly
c. boring
d. funny
Which type of context clue did you use?
I am very indecisive when it comes to shopping
for clothes. My mother hates it when I keep
returning to the dressing room to try on the
same clothes over and over.
3. Which of the following phrases
means about the same as
indecisive?
a. not wanting to waste money
b. not caring what decision is made
c. quick to make a decision
d. unable to make a decision
Which type of context clue did you use?
In my opinion, Bailey’s actions are
detestable. In fact, I think she is a bully!
4. Which of the following words means
about
the same as detestable?
a. funny
b. serious
c. horrible
d. helpful
Which type of context clue did you use?
Cole is an inquisitive student. He asks
many questions.
5. Which of the following words means
about
the same as inquisitive?
a. lazy
b. smart
c. perfect
d. questioning
Which type of context
clue did you use?
When my parents asked my brother where he
wanted to eat on his birthday, he nonchalantly
shrugged his shoulders.
6. Which of the following words means
about the same as nonchalantly?
a. sadly
b. unconcerned
c. hungrily
d. playfully
Which type of context
clue
The movie director decided to capture the
serene mood by filming the scene at sunset
beside a still lake.
7. Which of the following words
means about the same as
serene?
a. calm
b. fast
c. loud
d. comical
Which type of context clue did you use?
Cora is an earnest student. She tries her best,
turns in her homework, studies for tests, and
never gives up.
8. Which of the following words means
about the same as earnest?
a. angry
b. silly
c. serious
d. helpless
Which type of context
clue
It was the first day of summer vacation, and the
kids felt liberated! No more homework, no
more tests, and no more alarm clocks for two
long months!
9. Which of the following words means
about the same as liberated?
a. free
b. active
c. shameless
d. depressed
Which type of context
clue did you use?
We are hoping to fly to my grandparents’ house for
Christmas, but the weather forecast shows abominable
weather on the day of our flight. I sure home we don’t
get stuck spending Christmas in an airport!
10. Which of the following words means
about the same as abominable?
a. white
b. surprising
c. unpleasant
d. perfect
Which type of context
clue did you use?
He is a rather tenacious individual. He
can be quite stubborn at times.
11. Which of the following words means
about the same as
tenacious?
a. friendly
b. unsure
c. weak
d. stubborn
Which type of context clue did you use?
Those two girls couldn’t be more different!
Erica always sees the good in everything, while
Samantha tends to be pessimistic.
12. Which of the following phrases
means about the same as
pessimistic?
a. a positive outlook on life
b. a negative outlook on life
c. shy and timid
d. friendly and outgoing
Which type of context clue did you use?
That odor is repugnant!
Is there a skunk around here?
13. Which of the following words means
about the same as repugnant?
a. lovely
b. surprising
c. disgusting
d. favorable
Which type of context clue did you use?
That cartoon character is a rather
menacing villain.
14. Which of the following words means
about the same as menacing?
a. practical
b. impatient
c. strong
d. evil
Which type of context clue did you use?
Credits
By Deb Hanson ©2013
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Deb-Hanson
Detective Clip Art by A Sketchy Guy
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Other Clip Art by Graphics Factory
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Font by Jen Jones-Hello Literacy
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