Reading Skill

Determining the Meaning of an Unfamiliar Word through Context

Learning outcomes
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By the end of the lesson: Students will be able to match context clues with unfamiliar words to aid in comprehension. Students will be able to write sentences containing context clues to meanings of unfamiliar words. Students will be able to write sentences containing context clues to meanings of real words. Students will be able to locate and use context clues to aid comprehension and vocabulary development.

Context Clues
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Context clues consist of words in a sentence or paragraph that enable readers to reason out the meaning of unfamiliar words.

Context is whatever surrounds something else and words appear in the context of a sentence.

Ask yourself, What would this word have to mean in order to make sense in this sentence?

There are 5 ways to determine the unfamiliar words

Five Types of Context Clues

5 Definition or synonym clues Clue from another sentence

Contrast clues

General sense of the sentence

Example clues

REMEMBER! Each type of clue has certain signals.

1) Definition or Synonym Clue

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The author defines the word or gives a synonym.

a definition following a comma, colon, or dash, or enclosed in parentheses, brackets or dashes

phrases such as the term, is defined as, means, is known as, etc.

Signals
a term or definition in special print

synonyms introduced by or, in other words, that is, is also known as, by this we mean, etc.

Example

Deceptive advertising is defined as any ad

that contains a misrepresentation, omission, or other practice that can mislead a significant number of reasonable consumers to their detriment.

[The definition follows the phrase is defined as]

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A last resort for individuals or businesses that cannot

fulfill their financial obligations is bankruptcy, or legal insolvency.

Legal insolvency indicates that it is equivalent in meaning to bankruptcy. [Be sure you know what the synonyms mean!]

2) Contrast Clues
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The author includes a word or phrase that is the opposite of the word whose meaning you are trying to figure out. The meaning will be the opposite of the opposite. The words such as..

But

However

On the other hand

Nevertheless

Yet

In contrast

Some . . .others

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Examples of opposite words

Men and women
Democrats and republicans

Ancient and modern

Full and empty Light and heavy

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Example

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A few advertisers are unscrupulous, but most are

honest.

Unscrupulous advertisers are contrasted with honest advertisers, so you can reason out that unscrupulous is the opposite of honest. [Therefore, unscrupulous means dishonest or not following ethical principles.]

3) Example Clues
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Consist of one or more examples that are used to illustrate the meaning of the unfamiliar word. The example is not the definition, but it is a clue to it. Signals: Examples are typically introduced by the word:

For example

To illustrate

For instance

Such as

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Example

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Many Americans include too many servings of

potatoes, rice, pasta, bread, and other carbohydrates in their diet.

Potatoes, rice, pasta, and bread are given as examples of carbohydrates. What they have in common is that they are all starches. Therefore, carbohydrates refers to starchy foods. [Although this is not the technical, scientific definition of carbohydrates, it is enough to allow you to comprehend the general meaning and keep reading.]

4) General Sense of the Sentence

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Call on your prior knowledge to help you figure out the meaning of the unknown word. Signals:
None, so remember to ask yourself, What would this word have to mean in order to make sense in this sentence?

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Example

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The equestrian center received a donation of 25

horses, as well as saddles and other new equipment for the riding team.

[From the general sense of the sentencethe references to horses, saddles, and the riding teamyou can deduce that equestrian pertains to horseback riding and horseback riders.]

5) Clues from Another Sentence

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There may be helpful clues or information in a sentence that precedes or follows the one that contains the unfamiliar word.

Signals:
None, so be sure to ask yourself, What would this word have to mean in order to make sense in this sentence?

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Example

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That comedian has a ribald sense of humor. Two

television networks have canceled his show because viewers complained about his lewd language and vulgar jokes.

[From the second sentence, you can conclude that ribald means vulgar, coarse, or off-color. The clue is that many viewers complained about his lewd language and his vulgar jokes.]

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Practice
Instruction: 1. Identity the type of context clues 2. Give reasons to the answers

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1) The time between the computers request for data from secondary storage and the completion of the data transfer is known as access time.

a. the time it takes a computer to request data

b. the time it takes the computer to request data from secondary storage c. the time between the computers request for data from secondary storage and the completion of the data transfer d. the time it takes the computer to complete data transfer

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2) Introverts prefer solitary activities, whereas extroverts prefer activities involving other people. a. requiring a high level of skill b. pertaining to computers c. involving other people d. done alone; without anyone else

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3) Examples of common allergens include pollen, ragweed, dog and cat dander, and dust. a. pollen, ragweed, dog and cat dander, and dust b. substances commonly found around the house c. substances that cause allergic reactions d. allergic reactions

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4) Mean-spirited people enjoy spreading malicious gossip. The rumors they spread damage the victims reputation unfairly and cause undeserved pain and embarrassment.

a. harmful
b. interesting c. cheerful d. uplifting

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5) The cast of the television series is currently enjoying a three month hiatus, but they will start work again in the fall. a. break b. strike c. call
d. probation

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Exercise