Context CluesContext Clues(Context means to figure out meaning by looking (Context means to figure out meaning by looking

for words around it.)for words around it.)

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Checklist to help you find Checklist to help you find them.them.

ExpectationExpectation

• 1. Let the rest of the sentence or 1. Let the rest of the sentence or paragraph tell you what kind of word to paragraph tell you what kind of word to expect.expect.

• A. Is the mood scary or loving or calm or sad?A. Is the mood scary or loving or calm or sad?• B. What is the main idea of the sentence?B. What is the main idea of the sentence?• EX: When Tom was a baby, he was easily EX: When Tom was a baby, he was easily

frightened by loud noises. Many times, Mom frightened by loud noises. Many times, Mom assuagedassuaged Tom’s fears by singing him a Tom’s fears by singing him a lullaby.lullaby.

• Assuaged means______________Assuaged means______________

ExampleExample

2. Look for examples that tell about 2. Look for examples that tell about the meaning of the word. Clue the meaning of the word. Clue words are: Include, for example, words are: Include, for example, another type.another type.

* Look for semicolons and a comma.* Look for semicolons and a comma.• Look for lists or patterns of Look for lists or patterns of

things that are in common.things that are in common.• EX: EX: AmphibiansAmphibians include frogs, toads, newts, and include frogs, toads, newts, and

salamanders.salamanders.

Analogies/ComparisonsAnalogies/Comparisons

• Look for comparisons to something the Look for comparisons to something the author thinks you might already know.author thinks you might already know.

• Look for a commas.Look for a commas.• Look for similes and metaphors and other Look for similes and metaphors and other

figurative language.figurative language.• EX: You should see what it’s like at dinner EX: You should see what it’s like at dinner

at my house. at my house. It’s a real circusIt’s a real circus. My twin . My twin brothers throw food, the dog is barking, brothers throw food, the dog is barking, then the baby starts crying.then the baby starts crying.

Synonyms & RestatementSynonyms & Restatement

• Look in the selection for other Look in the selection for other words with similar meaning or words with similar meaning or sometimes the author will write sometimes the author will write a sentence or phrase to illustrate a sentence or phrase to illustrate it.it.

• Look for clue words and punctuation Look for clue words and punctuation like commas.like commas.

AntonymsAntonyms

• Look for clues to the word’s opposite Look for clues to the word’s opposite meaning. meaning.

• Clue words: despite, however, but, unlike, Clue words: despite, however, but, unlike, although, while, on the other hand.although, while, on the other hand.

• EX: Despite Erica’s serious tone, I found EX: Despite Erica’s serious tone, I found her story about trolls playing frisbee on her story about trolls playing frisbee on her lawn to be quite hilarious.her lawn to be quite hilarious.

• Circle the word in the sentence that means Circle the word in the sentence that means the opposite of hilariousthe opposite of hilarious

• Hilarious means funnyHilarious means funny

Additional helpAdditional help

1.1. Plug in each answer choice in place of the Plug in each answer choice in place of the unknown word.unknown word.

• EX: The knights were indignant. What could EX: The knights were indignant. What could this mere child know about slaying dragons and this mere child know about slaying dragons and saving kingdoms? How dare this unworthy saving kingdoms? How dare this unworthy youngster challenge the best of them to a joust!youngster challenge the best of them to a joust!

Plug in each answer choicePlug in each answer choice• What does the word indignant mean in What does the word indignant mean in

this selection?this selection?• joyousjoyous• saddenedsaddened• insultedinsulted• frightenedfrightened

More helpMore help

2.2. Don’t be fooled by homographs (multiple-meaning Don’t be fooled by homographs (multiple-meaning words).words).

• Homographs are words that can have different meanings Homographs are words that can have different meanings in different situations.in different situations.

• EX: Swoosh! The ball dropped straight through the hoop EX: Swoosh! The ball dropped straight through the hoop – no backboard, no rim, nothing but net.– no backboard, no rim, nothing but net.

In the example above hoop means In the example above hoop means • A. a plastic toy that a person rotates around the hipsA. a plastic toy that a person rotates around the hips• B. a metal band used to hold together the boards in a B. a metal band used to hold together the boards in a

barrelbarrel• C. a metal ring through which a ball is thrown to score C. a metal ring through which a ball is thrown to score

points in a basketball gamepoints in a basketball game• D. one of two rings used to hold a piece of fabric in D. one of two rings used to hold a piece of fabric in

place, as in embroideryplace, as in embroidery

Action!Action!

• Look at the action of the characters and Look at the action of the characters and the development of the plot to help you. the development of the plot to help you. – What are the characters thinking, saying or What are the characters thinking, saying or

doing?doing?

– What is the plot of the story?What is the plot of the story?

– Jordan was so Jordan was so vieanviean. He had never heard of of . He had never heard of of the #1 cartoon Sponge Bob. So, we watched it the #1 cartoon Sponge Bob. So, we watched it all day on Saturday. all day on Saturday.

FINALLY!FINALLY!

• Context Clues are NOT just words…Context Clues are NOT just words…

• Punctuation, author’s tone & the topic Punctuation, author’s tone & the topic and the mood of the story can all help and the mood of the story can all help you figure out the meaning of the you figure out the meaning of the unknown word. unknown word.

• Put the pieces of the puzzle together to Put the pieces of the puzzle together to find the meaing of the find the meaing of the kunnwnokunnwno word. word.