Find words using context

key notes :

What are Context Clues?

Imagine you’re reading a book, and you come across a word you’ve never seen before. Context clues are like hints hidden within the sentences around the word. They give you clues about its meaning. They’re like breadcrumbs leading you to the answer!

Types of Context Clues

There are different kinds of context clues. Let’s explore a few:

Definition or Explanation: The sentence directly tells you what the word means. Example: The archaeologist studied the artifacts, which are old objects made by human	Example: In this sentence, “which are old objects made by humans” explains what “artifacts” means.
Synonym or Restatement: The sentence uses another word that means the same thing. Example: The puppy was docile, or gentle, and loved to cuddle.	Example: Here, “or gentle” gives you a synonym for “docile.”
Antonym or Contrast: The sentence uses a word that means the opposite. Example: Unlike her gregarious brother, who loved parties, Sarah preferred quiet evenings at home.	Example: Knowing that Sarah prefers quiet evenings, you can guess that “gregarious” means someone who likes being with people and being social.
Inference: You have to use the surrounding sentences to guess the meaning. Example: The jungle was verdant; the trees were lush and green, and colorful birds flew everywhere.	Example: The sentence describes a green and lively place, so you can infer that “verdant” means green or full of plants

How to Use Context Clues

1. Read the whole sentence (and the sentences around it!). Don’t just focus on the unknown word.
2. Look for clue words. Words like or, which, unlike, but, and because often signal context clues.
3. Think about what makes sense. What meaning fits best in the sentence?
4. If you’re still unsure, look it up! Using context clues first helps you understand the definition better.

Summary

In this document, we learned about the importance of class notes and how context clues can help unlock the meanings of new words. By understanding different types of context clues like definition, synonym, antonym, and inference, you can become a word detective and improve your understanding of what you read and hear. Happy learning!