1. Context Clues
• TYEPS
• With detail description

2. Unit:1

3. How can we figure out the
meaning of a word we don’t
know?

4. Two ways to figure out
the meaning of
unknown word:
• 1. Context
• 2. Context clues

5. Context

6. First, the context is where or
how the word is being used.

7. Context: The sentence or
paragraph where the word is
located.

8. The context is the way the
word is being used in a certain
situation.

9. What are context clues?
Note: Copy in your notes all
items with a beside them.

10. When we don’t
know the meaning
of a word . . .

11. We look at its context, which
means we look at the other
words in the
sentence/paragraph.

12. By looking at the other words
in the sentence/paragraph . . .

13. We can discover
context clues.

14. Using context clues helps us
determine the meaning of words
we don’t know.

15. These context
clues help us
figure out the
meaning of the
unfamiliar word.

16. 3 Main Types of
Context Clues

17. Direct Definitions

18. Direct Definitions
• If the context clue is one of the following:
is, are, was, were, or, such as, or means,
the definition will be found After the word
and the context clue.
• If the context clue is: are known as, is
known as, is called, or are called, the
definition will be in Front of the word you
need to know the meaning of.

19. 1. Precipitation is water that
falls to the earth as rain or
snow.
2. Water that falls to the earth
as rain or snow is called
precipitation.
3. Flurries are a light snow
which falls for a short time.

20. 4. A light snow which falls for a short time
is known as flurries.
5. Accumulate means to pile up.
6. In a blizzard, snow accumulates, or piles
up.

21. “that is,” commas, dashes, and
parentheses
a. His emaciation, that is, his skeleton-
like appearance, was frightening to see.
“Skeleton-like appearance” is the definition
of “emaciation.”
b. Fluoroscopy, examination with a
fluoroscope, has become a common
practice.

22. The commas before and after
“examination with a fluoroscope”
point out the definition of
“fluoroscopy.”
c. The dudeen – a short-stemmed
clay pipe – is found in Irish folk tales.
The dashes setting off “a short-
stemmed clay pipe” point out the
definition of “dudeen.”

23. Direct Definitions
•Often signaled
by the word or
Example: Chaps, or protective
leg coverings, are often worn by
cowboys.

24. Direct Definitions
•The definition of the
unfamiliar word is directly
provided in the context.
The definition is set off by
commas and the word or
Example: Chaps, or protective leg coverings, are
often worn by cowboys.

25. Direct Definitions
•You try it!
What is the direct
definition context
clue below?
Example: She chose to create an avatar,
or cartoon image of herself, to use on
her Facebook profile.

26. Direct Definitions
•What is the context
clue in this
sentence?
Example: She chose to create an avatar,
or cartoon image of herself, to use on
her Facebook profile.

27. Direct Definitions
•The direct definition
context clue helps us
determine the meaning of
the unfamiliar word avatar.
Example: She chose to create an avatar,
or cartoon image of herself, to use on
her Facebook profile.

28. Contrast Clues

29. Contrast Clues
• Often signaled by the words whereas,
unlike, or as opposed to.
• “Unlike Jamaal’s room, which was
immaculate, Jeffrey’s room was very
messy.”
• “Whereas Melissa is quite lithe, her sister
is clumsy and awkward.”

30. Contrast Clues
•Sometimes there are
two things that contrast
in a sentence.
Example: My last apartment was really
small, but my new one is quite spacious.

31. Contrast Clues
•Small is a familiar
word, but spacious
may be unfamiliar
Example: My last apartment was really
small, but my new one is quite spacious.

32. Contrast Clues
•In this case, we have
the conjunction but
signaling a contrast
Example: My last apartment was really
small, but my new one is quite spacious.

33. Contrast Clues
•This shows us that
the words are more
than likely opposites
(contrasting each
other)
Example: My last apartment was really
small, but my new one is quite spacious.

34. Contrast Clues
•To solve this problem, we
look at the familiar word
small and determine that
spacious must mean the
opposite of small
Example: My last apartment was really
small, but my new one is quite spacious.

35. Contrast Clues
•What does
spacious mean?
Example: My last apartment was really
small, but my new one is quite spacious.

36. Contrast Clues
•The context clues help us
to determine that spacious
must mean big
The contrasting phrases
help us figure this out
Example: My last apartment was really
small, but my new one is quite spacious.

37. Contrast Clues
•You try it!
Determine the meaning of
the unfamiliar word
dreaded
Example: At first I dreaded our move,
but after I saw my new school, I got
excited!

38. Contrast Clues
•Based on the use of the
word but in the context of
this sentence, we can
determine that dreaded is
the opposite of excited
Example: At first I dreaded our move,
but after I saw my new school, I got
excited!

39. Contrast Clues
•The context clues reveal that
dreaded means to fear
We can see that part of the
sentence is positive (excited),
so in this case, we can
determine the other part of the
sentence is negative
(dreaded)
Example: At first I dreaded our move,
but after I saw my new school, I got
excited!

40. Contrast Clues
•Other words/phrases that
signal contrast are:
Although
However
On the contrary
On the other hand
Dissimilar
In contrast to

41. Cause-and-Effect
Sentences

42. Cause-and-Effect Sentences
•By looking at the two
situations in the sentence,
we are able to determine
the meaning of an
unfamiliar word.
Example: Because we lingered too long
at the restaurant, we missed the
beginning of the movie.

43. Cause-and-Effect Sentences
•lingered is the unfamiliar word
The word Because shows us
that there is a relationship
between words here
Example: Because we lingered too long at
the restaurant, we missed the beginning of
the movie.

44. Cause-and-Effect Sentences
•The context clues tell us
that lingering too long at the
restaurant caused them to
miss their movie
Example: Because we lingered too long
at the restaurant, we missed the
beginning of the movie.

45. Cause-and-Effect Sentences
•Based on this information,
what does lingered mean?
Example: Because we lingered too long
at the restaurant, we missed the
beginning of the movie.

46. Cause-and-Effect Sentences
Cause: lingered too long at
the restaurant
Effect: missed the movie
Definition: to stay in one
place longer than expected
Example: Because we lingered too long
at the restaurant, we missed the
beginning of the movie.

47. Cause-and-Effect Sentences
•You try it!
Determine the meaning of
the word consequence
Example: Because she chose to not do
her homework, Stacey received a
consequence from her teacher.

48. Cause-and-Effect Revision
• The author explains the reason for or the
result of the word. Words like “because,”
“since,” “therefore,” “thus,” “so,” etc. may
signal context clues.
• 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.”

49. Cause-and-Effect Sentences
Cause: chose to not do her
homework
Effect: received a consequence
Definition: the result of another
action (in this context, a
punishment)
Example: Because she chose to not do
her homework, Stacey received a
consequence from her teacher.

50. Overall Review
Context clues help us determine the
meaning of unfamiliar words
The 3 main types of context clues are
direct definition, contrast clues, and cause-
and-effect sentences
Source: http://www.georgiastandards.org

51. You Try It!
• Copy the sentences on the next slide
• Circle the context clues in each sentence
• Label each either direct definition, contrast
clue, or cause-and-effect sentence
• Write an inferred meaning for each word

52. Copy the sentence, circle the context clue, and
label it one of the following: direct definition,
contrast clue, or cause-and-effect sentence. Then,
write the inferred meaning of the word.
The detective Scrutinized examined
closely, the evidence in the case.

53. Direct Definition
The detective scrutinized, or examined closely,
the evidence in the case.
Since it’s a direct definition example, the
meaning is given to us as being “examined
closely.”
Let’s try another one . . .

54. Copy the sentence, circle the context clue, and
label it one of the following: direct definition,
contrast clue, or cause-and-effect sentence. Then,
write the inferred meaning of the word.
Although the irate basketball player tried
to argue, the referee remained calm.

55. Contrast Clue
Although the irate basketball player tried to
argue, the referee remained calm.
Since contrast is being shown here, we know that
irate must mean the opposite of calm. The
inferred meaning of irate is upset or out of
control.
Let’s try another one . . .

56. Copy the sentence, circle the context clue, and
label it one of the following: direct definition,
contrast clue, or cause-and-effect sentence. Then,
write the inferred meaning of the word.
I have always been very satisfied with my long distance
phone service; however, my friend has had a horr
endo us experience with hers.

57. Contrast Clue
I have always been very satisfied with my long
distance phone service; however, my friend has
had a horrendous experience with hers.
The word however signals contrast here. Since one
person had a positive experience (satisfied), then a
horrendous experience must be a bad or terrible
experience.
let’s try another one . . .

58. Copy the sentence, circle the context clue,
and label it one of the following: direct
definition, contrast clue, or cause-and-effect
sentence. Then, write the inferred meaning
of the word.
The detective’s 2 years of experience
contributed to his Sagacity, or
wisdom, in how to solve crimes.

59. Direct Definition
The detective’s 20 years of experience
contributed to his sagacity, or wisdom, in
how to solve crimes.
Sagacity means “wisdom” based on the direct
definition context clue provided. This is signaled
by the word “or.”
Let’s try another one . . .

60. Copy the sentence, circle the context clue, and
label it one of the following: direct definition,
contrast clue, or cause-and-effect sentence. Then,
write the inferred meaning of the word.
Because of her inability to decipher the word problem,
the young girl was embarrassed when her teacher
asked for her answer.

61. Cause-and-Effect Sentence
Because of her inability to decipher the word
problem, the young girl was embarrassed when
her teacher asked for her answer.
Cause: inability to decipher the word problem
Effect: embarrassed when her teacher asked for
her answer
Meaning: We can infer that decipher must mean
“figure out” based on the cause-and-effect
scenario

62. Independent Practice
• Jubilant means showing great joy or
satisfaction.
• Write three sentences using the word
jubilant as the unfamiliar word. Use your
notes as a guide.
• Make sure you use a different type of
context clue for each sentence to
demonstrate your understanding: direct
definition, contrast clue, cause-and-effect
clue

63. Unit:2
And

64. 3 Main Types of
Context Clues

65. Example clues

66. E xample Clues
The context of a word will
sometimes give examples that will
give you a pretty clear idea of
meaning. These are usually marked
by the words: Fox example, for
instance and Such as and Including.

67. a. Piscatorial creatures, such as
flounder, salmon, and trout, live in
the coldest parts of the ocean.
“Piscatorial” obviously refers to fish.
b. Celestial bodies, including the sun,
moon, and stars, have fascinated
man through the centuries.
“Celestial” objects are those in the
sky or heavens.

68. c. In the course of man’s evolution, certain
organs have atrophied. The appendix, for
example, has wasted away from disuse.
“Atrophied” means “wasted away.”
Note:
Sometime these words are not located in the
sentence or paragraph, instead other
supportive words worked as an example
clues.

69. Today was a day of turmoil at work
the phones were constantly ringing,
people were running back and forth,
and several offices were being
painted.
Changes in such abilities as learning,
reasoning, thinking, and language
are aspects of cognitive development.

70. • Children who move to a foreign
country adapt much more easily
than their parents, soon picking
up the language and customs of
their new home.

71. Synonym Clues

72. A context clue is often available in
the form of a synonym: a word
that means the same or almost
the same as the unknown word.
A synonym may appear anywhere
in a passage to provide the same
meaning as the unknown word.

73. a. Flooded with spotlights – the focus of all
attention – the new Miss America began her
year-long reign. She was the cynosure of all
eyes for the rest of the evening.
“Cynosure” means “the focus of all attention.”
b. The mountain pass was a tortuous road,
winding and twisting like a snake around the
trees of the mountainside.

74. c. Fresh garlic may not enhance the
breath, but it certainly does improve
spaghetti sauce.
Enhance means “improve.”
d. As soon as I made a flippant remark to
my boss, I regretted sounding so
disrespectful.
• Flippant means “disrespectful.”

75. Antonym Clues

76. An antonym—a word that means the
opposite of another word—is also a
useful context clue. Antonyms are often
signaled by words and phrases such as
Although, however, except, but, yet, on
the other hand, and in contrast.
He tried to smile because the mood of
the party was not somber, but happy.

77. When the light brightens, the pupils of the
eyes contract; however, when it grows
darker, they dilate.
“Dilate” means the opposite o f “ contract
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. ”

78. “It’s a special hearing aid. It lowers
Criticism and amplifies compliments.”

79. Sometimes the way a sentence is
put together will tell you what
you are looking for the opposite
of a word or idea that is found in
one half of the sentence.
If you can’t find anything to
praise in the class, at least don’t
denounce it.

80. Other Clues
General
Sense Clues

81. • Sometimes it takes a bit more detective
work to puzzle out the meaning of an
unfamiliar word. In such cases, you must
draw conclusions based on the
information given with the word. Askin g
yourself questions about the passage
may help you make a fairly accurate
guess about the meaning of the
unfamiliar word.

82. “I’d like a prescription that will alleviate
my aches and pains and also make me
younger and thinner.”

83. • To figure out the meaning of
alleviate, try asking this question:
What would the patient want the
prescription to do to his aches
and pains? Answer: The patient’s
words to his doctor strongly
suggest that alleviate means
“lessen.”

84. A former employee, irate over having
been fired, broke into the plant and
deliberately wrecked several machines.
(What would be the employee’s state
of mind?)
Answer: Having been fired, broke into
the plant and deliberately wrecked
several machines.
irate means “very angry

85. The car wash we organized to raise
funds was a fiasco—it rained all
day.
(How successful would a car wash be
on a rainy day?)
• Answer: It rained all day…..
Fiasco is a “complete disaster

86. Prepared by
• Rizwan Maqsood
• Master in English Literature & Applied
Linguistics(2012)
• National University of Modern Languages,
Islamabad, Pakistan