Lesson #9
Using Context
Clues
What do you do when you
come across an unfamiliar
word? First, look at the
context of the word – the
other words in the sentence.
The context gives clues to
the meaning of the word.
Sometimes a context clue
might be a synonym or an
antonym of an unfamiliar
word.
A synonym is a word that has
the same or almost the same
meaning as another word.
Example:
The ocean looked calm.
The beach was calm.
I felt calm.
placid = peaceful = relaxed
The ocean looked placid.
The beach was peaceful.
I felt relaxed.
Antonyms are words with
opposite meanings.
Example:
The current was strong, but near the shore it was weak.
You can often form the antonym of an adjective by using
the prefix un, in, or im.
even/uneven
expensive/inexpensive
possible/impossible
I built this model; it is an exact
replica of that ship.
The Northwest Passage is frigid,
even when it is warm here.
The context clue model is a
synonym of the unfamiliar word
replica. Warm is an antonym of
the word frigid.
Guided Practice: Use context clues to tell the
meaning of each underlined word.
Example: The tranquil ocean calmed the crew; calm
1. The explorers who followed Columbus were
disgruntled. How disappointed they were that
this land was not Asia.
2. They remained optimistic, though, certain that
they would find Asia soon.
3. The lure of Asia’s riches attracted them.
4. These explorers were resolute, not halfhearted.
5. They diligently searched lakes and rivers; they
steadily explored water routes.
6. This short route would curtail the long voyage.
7. Where was this elusive route? That was the
mystery.
8. The search for the route energized the crew;
the sailors were active much of the time.
9. Explorers hazarded fortunes to take this great
risk.
10. Despite the adverse conditions, exploration
continued.
11. Cartographers could now map the New
World.
12. The ice did not deter later explorers; they
continued their voyages.
13. Today various vessels – submarines, tankers,
and cutters – use the Northwest Passage.
14. The dream materialized in 1906; a ship
actually sailed through the passage that year.