Context Clues

Understanding Context Clues

Keys to becoming a better reader

Essential Questions

• What is context?

• How can I use context to learn new words?

What does context mean?

Context is the set of ideas that surround a word or situation

Look at the picture. What words or phrases might fit the context?

tropicalwarmstormyhotpalm trees

These words fit the context. They go along with the idea of the picture.

A word like “icy” would not fit the context. Why not?

Using context clues

We can use a word’s context to help us understand text.

The waves crashed along the _____.What is the missing word? How do you know?

Using context clues

We can use a word’s context to help us understand text.

The waves crashed along the beach.How did the context help you to figure out the missing word?

Using context clues

A black snake ___________ out from the underbrush.

This one’s a little harder! Several words could fit the context.

slithered, poked, crawled…

Using context clues

But all of these words have something in common. They show movement.

Using context clues

A word like “leaf” would not fit the context. Why not?

Context clues and reading

Sometimes, context clues can help us to understand new words.

A purple coneflower bloomed in the meadow.

What is a purple coneflower? Why do you think so?

How did the context help you to figure out the word?

Using context clues

We can take what we know to help us understand new words in text.

The purple coneflowers bloomed profusely in the garden, their purple blooms clustered together.

Using context clues

What might profusely mean? Look at the context clues!

The purple coneflowers bloomed profusely in the garden, their purple blooms clustered together.

Using context clues

The purple coneflowers bloomed profusely in the garden, their purple blooms clustered together.Profusely tells about how the flowers are blooming

Using context clues

The purple coneflowers bloomed profusely in the garden, their purple blooms clustered together.Profusely shows that the flowers are blooming in great number.

Using context clues

The purple coneflowers bloomed profusely in the garden, their purple blooms clustered together.We used the context to figure out the meaning.

Think about it!

What have you learned about context so far?

Using context clues

When we try to figure out words from their context, we have to use our prior knowledge. We can make inferences about what the word might mean.

Try using context clues

The waves destroyed the elaborate sand castle, turning it into a simple sand mound.

What might the word elaborate mean?

Try to visualize the sentence. It seems to say that the castle once was elaborate, but now is not.

Elaborate probably means the opposite of simple—fancy or complex.

How did the context help you to understand the word?

How did you use what you know to figure out the meaning of elaborate?

Understanding context

Sometimes, one sentence isn’t enough. A reader might need to look at the next sentence to figure out the target word.

Like a giraffe, an okapi has a prehensile tongue.

Hmm…this sentence really doesn’t include enough to explain what prehensile means.

Like a giraffe, an okapi has a prehensile tongue. This tongue helps it to grasp the branches and leaves that it eats.

How does the second sentence give us more information about the context?

Like a giraffe, an okapi has a prehensile tongue. This tongue helps it to grasp the branches and leaves that it eats.

A prehensile tongue must be a tongue that can grasp. The context can help us to figure that out.

When you read

When you are reading on your own, remember that you might sometimes have to read on for a sentence or two to figure out the meaning of a word.

Context clues on tests

On tests, you might be asked to choose a word that can replace another word in a sentence.

If you don’t know the words, don’t panic—use context clues to help you out!

Which word?

Which word can replace the underlined word in the sentence below?

Carl was perplexed by the maze’s many twists and turns.

A. sorryB. relievedC. concernedD. confused

Which word?

Think about the context. Which word goes along with how you might feel in a maze?

Which word?

Think about the context. Which word goes along with how you might feel in a maze?

Which word?

Try substituting confused in the sentence. Does it make sense?

Which word?

You have used the context to figure out a word that you didn’t know!

Which word?

The park at sunset was a tranquil place, disturbed only by the sounds of the chirping birds. A. peaceful

B. wetC. noisyD. silent

Hint: Try substituting each word into the sentence. Does it make sense? Does it sound right?

Which word?

The park at sunset was a tranquil place, disturbed only by the sounds of the chirping birds. A. peaceful

B. wetC. noisyD. silent

Why do the other words not fit the context of the sentence?

Which word?

The miniscule toads hopped all around our feet, making walking difficult. We were afraid we would accidentally step on one!

A. exoticB. enormousC. dangerousD. tiny

Be sure to read both sentences. Try to visualize what is going on.

Which word?

Try substituting each word into the sentence. Does it still make sense?

Which word?

Does the picture match your mental image? Why or why not?

What have you learned?

What does the word context mean?

How can context clues help you to learn new words?

Context Clues

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