Using Context Clues

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Using Context Clues

• By Donna D. Weaver
• Hazelwood Central High School

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Types of Signals

• Writers often help readers with new or unfamiliar
  words by giving clues through the use of
• punctuation marks
• special signal words
• or
• whole sentences which form a context that can
  define words.

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Punctuation Marks

• Commas, dashes, and parentheses are sometimes
  followed by a synonym (a word that has the same
  meaning), a short definition, an example, or a
  restatement of the word to help the reader.

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Commas, Dashes, and Parentheses

• Examples
• Neve, glacial snow, is common in Antarctica.
• Advertisers often take a poll---interview
  people---about a new product.
• The maestro (conductor) of the St. Louis
  Orchestra entered the concert hall.

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Signal Words

• These words signal a definition, example, or
  synonym or, such as, for example, especially,
  like, that is, and in other words.

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Signal Words
Examples In New Orleans, people drink a strong
coffee served in demitasse or half size
cups. Pearls are found in mollusks like oysters.
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Context of the Text
Sometimes the reader must play detective, putting
together clues from the surrounding sentences and
making an intelligent guess as to the
definition of a word.
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Context of the Text
Example The children were so fatigued from
their all day hike that they could hardly eat
their dinner. They dragged their bodies to the
dinner table and almost fell asleep in their
plates!
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Practice Using Context Clues

• Copy the following sentences in your journal.
  Write a definition or synonym for each underlined
  word. Circle the clues in the text that helped
  you guess the meaning of the word.

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1. The sick man drank the elixir (medication)
and almost instantly became better! 2. The wolf
hid in the grotto in the side of the hill. None
of the hunters saw it as they walked passed the
entrance. 3. The small boy leaned over the
railing of the viaduct looking at the water
rushing below. 4. Mom drained the spaghetti in
the colander or strainer before adding the sauce.
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5. Some crustaceans, such as shrimp and
lobsters, can be eaten. 6. The judges
verdict---decision--was anxiously awaited by
everyone in the courtroom. 7. The new annex to
the school housed a swimming pool and an immense
gym. 8. The orator walked onto the stage, placed
his notes on the podium, and adjusted the
microphone as he looked at the audience.
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9. The boys meandered along the riverbank all
afternoon, enjoying the first day of summer
vacation. 10. Sam did such a laudable job of
fixing his fathers car that his uncle hired him
as a full time mechanic at his garage this summer!
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Answers
1. Medicine or medication clues are the
parentheses ( ) around the synonym. 2. Cave
clues are the words side of the hill and entrance
3. Bridge clues are the words railing, rushing
water, and below. 4. Strainer clue is the word
or before a synonym.
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Answers continued
5. Sea creature with a hard exoskeleton Clues
are the words such as followed by examples. 6.
Decision or judgement clues are the dashes
before and after the synonym. 7. An addition to
a building clues are the words new, and
housed. 8. Speaker clues are the words stage,
podium, microphone, and audience.
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Answers continued
9. Wander aimlessly clues are the words along,
all afternoon, enjoy. 10. Admirable clues are
hired, full time mechanic, and fixing.