This document discusses using context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words. It provides four types of context clues: definition, example, contrast, and logic of passage. Definition clues directly define the word. Example clues use examples to explain the word's meaning. Contrast clues use opposite words to infer the unfamiliar word's meaning. Logic of passage clues use reasoning based on the context to deduce the meaning. The document provides examples of each type of context clue and two practice assignments for students.

1. Using Context
Clues
Karen Silvestri, Instructional Specialist
The Learning Center at Robeson Community
College

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. •Definition
•Example
•Contrast
•Logic of Passage
Four types of Context Clues

10. • 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.
Definition Clues

11. • 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.
Example of Definition Clue

12. 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
Other clues

13. 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.
Commas

14. 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.)
Parentheses

15. 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.
Dashes

16. 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.
Example Clues

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

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

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

20. 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.

21. 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.
Examples

22. • 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.
Contrast Clues

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.
Practice (key words are in italics) write what you think
each word means on a piece of paper. Then, look up the word in the
dictionary to check if you guessed correctly. Write out the definition of the
each word. Turn in your assignment in class.

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

29. 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.”

30. 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.

31. 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.

32. 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.

33. 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.
Practice – write what you think each word means on a piece of paper.
Then, look up the word in the dictionary to check if you guessed correctly. Write out the
definition of the each word. Turn in your assignment in class.

34. • Turn in the two practice assignments included in this
video to your instructor during class.
Assignments