When you read, you often come to words you don’t know. One way a reader figures out the meaning of a

new word is by looking for…CONTEXT CLUESCONTEXT CLUES!

Context is the Context is the settingsetting in which in which the word appears. The context the word appears. The context

for a word can be…for a word can be…

How can I figure out unknown words?

What is the passage mostly about?

What part of speech is the

word?

What other words in the

sentencegive you

clues?

I am going to sprinkle sprinkle flowers on the stage.

a. boilb. pinkc. poundd. scatter

What is What is the the

sentence sentence about?about?

What part of What part of speech is the speech is the

word?word?

What other words What other words in the sentence in the sentence

are clues?are clues?

scattescatterr

The crowd began

applaudingapplauding to show they liked her

performance.

a. drawingb. callingc. clappingd. actress

What is What is the the

sentence sentence about?about?

What part of What part of speech is the speech is the

word?word?

What other words What other words in the sentence in the sentence

are clues?are clues?

clappiclappingng

The department store was advertisingadvertising the newest clothes for fall.

a. showingb. playingc. sendingd. sale

What is What is the the

sentence sentence about?about?

What part of What part of speech is the speech is the

word?word?

What other words What other words in the sentence in the sentence

are clues?are clues?

showishowingng

The building will

collapsecollapse if repairs aren’t made soon!

a. passb. stairsc. falld. plow

What is What is the the

sentence sentence about?about?

What part of What part of speech is the speech is the

word?word?

What other words What other words in the sentence in the sentence

are clues?are clues?

fallfall

After lunch the class was

drowsydrowsy and had trouble paying attention.

a. Sleepyb. latec. medicald. hungry

What is What is the the

sentence sentence about?about?

What part of What part of speech is the speech is the

word?word?

What other words What other words in the sentence in the sentence

are clues?are clues?

sleepysleepy

Let’s take a look at specific types of context

clues.

An example is given.

The company needs to increase its’ revenuesrevenues. For example, it hopes

to get more money.

The word is explained.

Thomas found it hard to gaugegauge, or try to determine, the speed of the

ball.

There are synonyms.

The fragilefragile vase shattered because it was delicate and frail.

There are antonyms.

When the teacher shouted in class many idleidle students then

became busy.