1
It is fun to watch squirrels GATHER nuts and store them.
What does gather mean?
To collect
The cat LURKED behind the plants. What does lurk mean?
a) tired
b) scared
c) to move in a sneaky way
c) to move in a sneaky way
Name 3 types of context clues
Definitions
Inferencing
Examples
Synonyms/Antonyms
It was an IDYLLIC day - sunny, warm, and perfect for a walk in the park.
What does idyllic mean? What type of clue is this?
Perfect
Synonym
He knew his future was PRECARIOUS and likely to fall apart.
What does precarious mean?
In October, it's fun to CARVE faces on our pumpkins.
What does carve mean?
To cut or slice
They were ROOTING for their team. What does rooting mean?
a) to dislike
b) to cheer on
c) to be distracted
b) to cheer on
What are other ways to find the meaning of an unknown word, other than context clues.
Dictionary
She hums CONTINUOUSLY, or all the time, and it annoys me.
What does continuously mean? What type of clue is this?
All the time
Synonym
Our SWELTERING summer days were quickly replaced by the cold flashes of fall.
What does sweltering mean? What clues did you use?
Hot
replaced by the cold flashes.
Mariah is so COZY in her bed, she doesn't want to get up.
What does cozy mean?
Comfortable
Her son must have done something bad, because she looks very CROSS. What does cross mean?
a) happy
b) bored
c) angry
c) angry
What is a synonym?
A word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word
Diane was LETHARGIC; she didn't have the energy to get out of bed.
What does lethargic mean? What type of clue is this?
Didn't have energy.
Definition
The dates are listed in CHRONOLOGICAL order; they start at the beginning and end with the last event.
What does chronological mean?
a) erased b) in order c) messy
b) in order
The homecoming queen wore a very FASHIONABLE gown to the school dance.
What does fashionable mean?
Popular
People CONGREGATE at festivals. What does congregate mean?
a) to come together in large groups
b) ignore each other
c) shake hands
a) to come together in large groups.
What is a context clue?
Context clues are hints that an author gives to help define a difficult or unusual word
The FERAL cat would not let us pet him, unlike our friendly cat.
What does feral mean? What type of clue is this?
Mean
Antonym
This situation is a conundrum, a puzzle that’s difficult to solve.
What does conundrum mean? What clue did you use?
a puzzle that's difficult to solve.
The hungry hawk soars through the air hunting PREY.
What does prey mean?
An animal that is hunted for food.
His SOMBER expression made us feel like something was wrong. What does somber mean?
a) happy
b) serious
c) asleep
b) serious
What is an antonym?
A word opposite in meaning to another
She heard the cry of the BANSHEE, a spirit that alludes to the death of a family member.
What does banshee mean?
A spirit that alludes to the death of a family member.
Nutritious foods, such as fruits and vegetables, help our bodies grow.
Using the example clue, the word nutritious in this sentence means:
a) yucky b) boring c) healthy
c) healthy