context-clues

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES

MEANING Context clues are hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that a reader can use to understand the meanings of new or unfamiliar words.

9 Types of Context Clues

1. DEFINITION / DESCRIPTION CLUE The new term may be formally defined, or sufficient explanation may be given within the sentence or in the following sentence. Clues to definition include “that is,” commas, dashes, and parenthese Examples Fluoroscopy, examination with a fluoroscope, has become a common practice. The commas before and after “examination with a fluoroscope” point out the definition of “fluoroscopy.”

2. EXAMPLE CLUES Sometimes when a reader finds a new word, an example might be found nearby that helps to explain its meaning. Words like including, such as, and for example, point out example clues. Examples Piscatorial creatures, such as flounder, salmon, and trout, live in the coldest parts of the ocean. “Piscatorial” obviously refers to fish.

3. SYNONYM RESTATEMENT CLUE The reader may discover the meaning of an unknown word because it repeats an idea expressed in familiar words nearby. Synonyms are words with the same meaning Examples The mountain pass was a tortuous road, winding and twisting like a snake around the trees of the mountainside. “Tortuous” means “winding and twisting.”

4. CONTRAST / ANTONYM CLUE Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. An opposite meaning context clue contrasts the meaning of an unfamiliar word with the meaning of a familiar term. Words like “although,” “however,” and “but” may signal contrast clues. Examples The children were as different as day and night. He was a lively conversationalist, but she was reserved and taciturn. “Taciturn” means the opposite of a “lively conversationalist.”

5. MOOD / TONE CLUE The author sets a mood, and the meaning of the unknown word must harmonize with the mood. Examples The lugubrious wails of the gypsies matched the dreary whistling of the wind in the all-but-deserted cemetery. “Lugubrious,” which means “sorrowful,” fits into the mood set by the words “wails,” “dreary,” and “deserted cemetery.”

7. ANALYSIS OR STRUCTURE CLUE The parts used to construct a word can be direct clues to meaning. Knowledge of prefixes, roots, and suffixes can aid a reader in using this type of context clue. Learning one word part can add dozens of words to a reader’s vocabulary. The power of word parts lies in the ability to combine the roots and affixes with the context in which a word is used to discover the author’s meaning. Examples The story is incredible. The root cred means “to believe,’ and the prefix in means “not.” Therefore, if a story is incredible, it is unbelievable.

8. INFERENCE CLUE Sufficient clues might be available for the careful reader to make an educated guess at the meaning. Example She told her friend, “I’m through with blind dates forever. What a dull evening! I was bored every minute. The conversation was absolutely vapid.” “Vapid” means “uninteresting.”

9. CAUSE AND EFFECT CLUE The author explains the reason for or the result of the word. Words like “because,” “since, ”“therefore,” “thus,” “so,” etc. may signal context clues. Example She wanted to impress all her dinner guests with the food she served, so she carefully studied the necessary culinary arts. “ Culinary” means “food preparation.”

EXERCISE

1. PART1 2. Choose the correct meaning of the underlined word, and identify the type of context clue used: example, contrast, definition, or logic 3. 1. Our baseball team's pitcher has a few eccentric habits, such as throwing exactly thirteen warm-up pitches and never wearing socks. 4. A) normal 5. B) strange 6. C) messy

2. After the heavy rains, the stream became murky; in fact, the water was so cloudy you couldn't see the bottom. A) cloudy B) bottomless C) clear 3. The debris on the stadium floor included numerous paper cups, ticket stubs, and cigarette butts. A) products B) papers C) trash

4. The coach takes every opportunity to censure his players, yet he ignores every opportunity to praise them. A) approve of B) criticize C) Choose 5. The newlyweds agreed to be very frugal in their shopping because they wanted to save enough money to buy a house. A) economical B) wasteful C) interested

6. The lithe girl was successful in the basketball tryouts, unfortunately, the chubby girl was unsuccessful. A .Sick B .Lean C . Tall 7. The principal encouraged the students to economize their weekly allowances rather than wasting it on junk food. A .Spend B . Invest C . Save

8.The lamb was very feeble whereas the lion was very strong. A .Weak B .Small C .Tall 9.Nelson Mandela finally received his freedom after spending several years in captivity. A .Martinique B .Prison C .hospital

10. The detective ruled that Kaycee's death was unintentional. A .Misundersood B .Deliberate C .Accidental 11.The veterans fought for their country just be faded away in time? A .Died B .Forgotten C .Martyred

12. They tortured him both physically and mentally but still couldn't break him apart. He was an ironman. A .Courageous B .Metal-body C .Strong

PART2 What type of context clue? 1. Mr. Fry is quite AFFABLE. In fact, he reminds me of Ms. Baker. Do you remember how kind she was? A . The Definition or an Example is given B .Synonym - a word that has a similar meaning C .Antonym - a word that has an opposite meaning D .Inference - you have to put clues together 2. You don't need to worry about talking to Mr. Fry. He is an AFFABLE principal. A .The Definition or an Example is given B .Synonym - a word that has a similar meaning C .Antonym - a word that has an opposite meaning D .Inference - you have to put clues together

3. I miss Mr. Fry. Our new principal is cranky and hard to talk to. Mr. Fry was so AFFABLE. A .The Definition or an Example is given B .Synonym - a word that has a similar meaning C .Antonym - a word that has an opposite meaning D .Inference - you have to put clues together 4. Mr. Fry is an AFFABLE principal. He is pleasantly easy to talk to and always friendly. A .The Definition or an Example is given B .Synonym - a word that has a similar meaning C .Antonym - a word that has an opposite meaning D .Inference - you have to put clues together

5. Sometimes studying for math tests feels FUTILE, or useless, because my scores don't seem to get better. A .The Definition or an Example is given B .Synonym - a word that has a similar meaning C .Antonym - a word that has an opposite meaning D .Inference - you have to put clues together 6. I got in trouble for not telling the truth last night and Mom REVOKED all my privileges. For example, I can't hang out with my friends until next week! A .The Definition or an Example is given B .Synonym - a word that has a similar meaning C .Antonym - a word that has an opposite meaning D .Inference - you have to put clues together

7. Unlike my BOISTEROUS older brother, I always wake up exhausted in the morning. A .The Definition or an Example is given B .Synonym - a word that has a similar meaning C .Antonym - a word that has an opposite meaning D .Inference - you have to put clues together 8. The parents were afraid Charlie's bumps were CONTAGIOUS, they didn't want their children to catch them. A .The Definition or an Example is given B .Synonym - a word that has a similar meaning C .Antonym - a word that has an opposite meaning d. Inference - you have to put clues together

Part1 ANSWER 1.B 2.A Part2 3.C 1.B 4.B 2.D 5.A 3.C 6.B 4.A 7.C 5.B 8.A 6.A 9.B 7.C 10.C 8.A 11.B 12.C

Thanks you.

CREATE BY Chanikarn Kumkreng Student Code 614102036 Nareerat Thuathong Student Code 614102040 English Major year2 Group 2