This document provides information on using context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words. It discusses four main types of context clues: definition clues, example clues, contrast clues, and logic of the passage clues. For each type of clue, it provides examples from text to demonstrate how readers can infer the definition of an unknown word based on context. It also includes practice problems for readers to try using context clues on their own.

1. Using Context Clues

2. I don’t know that word!
What do you do when
you come upon a word
you don’t know?

3. SOME ANSWERS
Skip the word
Quit reading
Come back to it if I have to
Look it up in the dictionary
Ask someone

4. Fill in the blanks.
Rate refers to the _________ at which
you speak. If you speak too
_____________, your listeners will
not have time to understand your
message. If you speak to
___________, your listeners’ minds
will wander.

5. Rate refers to the speed at which you
speak. If you speak too fast, your
listeners will not have time to
understand your message. If you speak
to slow, your listeners’ minds will
wander.

6. Context Clues
Context clues can help
you to figure out the
meanings of
unfamiliar words.

7. Phobias, such as fear of
heights, water, or
confined spaces, are
difficult to eliminate.

8. From the sentence, you can
tell that phobia means “fear of
specific objects or situations.

9. The couple finally secured a
table at the popular,
crowded restaurant.

10. You can figure out that
secured means “got or
took ownership of” the
table.

11. Four types of Context Clues
Definition
Example
Contrast
Logic of Passage

12. Definition Clues
Many times a writer defines a word
immediately following its use.
The writer may directly define a word by
giving a brief definition or a synonym (a
word that has the same meaning).
Some words and phrases as means, is, refers
to, and can be defined as are often used.

13. Example of Definition Clue
Corona refers to the outermost
part of the sun’s atmosphere.
A soliloquy is a speech made by a
character in a play that reveals his
or her thoughts to the audience.

14. Other clues
Writers may use punctuation to signal a
definition clue is coming.
Punctuation separates the meaning clue from
the rest of the sentence.
Commas
Parentheses
Dashes

15. Commas
Five-line rhyming poems, or limericks,
are among the simplest forms of
poetry.
Equity, general principles of fairness
and justice, is used in law when existing
laws do not apply or are inadequate.

16. Parentheses
Lithium (an alkali metal) is so soft it can be
cut with a knife.
A leading cause of heart disease is a diet with
too much cholesterol (a fatty substance
made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

17. Dashes
Our country’s gross national product—the
total market value of its national output of
goods and services—is increasing steadily.
Ancient Egyptians wrote in hieroglyphics—
pictures used to represent words.

18. Practice
1. The judge’s candor—his sharp, open frankness—shocked
the jury.
2. A chemical bond is a strong attractive force that holds
two or more atoms together.
3. Hearing, technically known as audition, begins when a
sound wave reaches the outer ear.
4. A species is a group of animals or plants that share similar
characteristics and are able to interbreed.
5. Many diseases have latent periods, periods of time
between the infection and the first appearance of a
symptom.

19. Example Clues
Writers often include examples
that help to explain or clarify a
word.
Toxic materials, such as arsenic, asbestos,
pesticides, and lead, can cause bodily damage.

20. This sentence gives four examples
of toxic materials. From the
examples given, which are all
poisonous substances, you could
conclude that toxic means
“poisonous”.

21. Forest floors are frequently covered with
fungi—molds, mushrooms, and mildews.
Fungi, then are types of molds,
mushrooms, and mildews.

22. Legumes, such as peas and beans,
produce pods.
Legumes, then, are vegetable plants
that produce pods.

23. Many pharmaceuticals, including
morphine and penicillin, are not readily
available in some countries.
From the examples of morphine and
penicillin, you know that
pharmaceuticals are drugs.

24. Practice
1. The child was reticent in every respect; she
would not speak, refused to answer questions,
and avoided looking at anyone.
2. Involuntary reflexes, like breathing and
beating of the heart, are easily measured.
3. The student had a difficult time distinguishing
between homonyms—words such as see and
sea, wore and war, and deer and dear.

25. Contrast Clues
It is sometimes possible to
determine the meaning of an
unknown word from a word or
phrase in the context that has an
OPPOSITE meaning.

26. One of the dinner guests succumbed
to the temptation to have a second
piece of cake, but the others resisted.
You know that one guest succumbed
while the others resisted. The word
BUT suggests this. So you can INFER
that succumb is the OPPOSITE of resist.

27. Most of the graduates were
elated, though a few felt sad and
depressed.
The opposite of “sad and depressed” is
joyful, so you can INFER (guess) that
elated means joyful.
The key word here is though.

28. The old man acted morosely,
whereas his grandson was very
lively.
The opposite of “lively” is quietly and
sullenly, so you can INFER that morosely
means not lively.
The key word here is whereas.

29. The gentleman was quite portly,
but his wife was thin.
The opposite of “thin” is heavy or fat,
so you can INFER that portly means
not thin or fat.
The key word here is but.

30. Practice (key words are in italics)
1. Some city dwellers are affluent; others live in or near
poverty.
2. I am certain that the hotel will hold our reservation;
however, if you are dubious, call to make sure.
3. Although most experts concurred with the research
findings, several strongly disagreed.
4. The speaker denounced certain legal changes while
praising other reforms.
5. When the couple moved into their new home they
revamped the kitchen and bathroom but did not change
the rest of the rooms.

31. Logic of the Passage Clues
Many times you can figure out
the meaning of an unknown
word by using logic and
reasoning skills

32. Bob is quite versatile; he is a
good student, a top athlete, an
excellent car mechanic, and a
gourmet cook.
You can see that Bob is successful at many
different types of activities, and you could
reason that versatile mans “capable of
doing many things competently.”

33. When the customer tried to pay with
Mexican pesos, the clerk explained
that the store accepted only U.S.
dollars.
Logic tells you that customers pay
with money; pesos, then, are a type
of Mexican currency.

34. We had to leave the car and walk
up because the incline was too
steep to drive.
Something that is too steep must
be slanted or have a slope; incline
means a slope.

35. Since Reginald was nervous, he
brought his rabbit’s foot talisman
with him to the exam.
A rabbit’s foot is often thought to
be a good luck charm; talisman
means a good luck charm.

36. Practice
1. The foreign students quickly assimilated many aspects of
American culture.
2. The legal aid clinic was subsidized by city and county
funds.
3. The teenager was intimidated by the presence of a police
officer walking the beat and decided not to spray paint the
school wall.
4. If the plan did not work, the colonel had a contingency
plan ready.