Types of Context Clues Strategies
What is a context clue?
Context clues use information from the sentence to help you understand the meaning of unknown words.
Wolves like to stay in their pack. They do not like to leave the group.
What does the work pack mean?
A. A bag
B. A box
C. A group
D. A store
C. a group
Mr. Fry is an affable principal. He is easy to approach and always friendly.
What does affable mean?
A. rude
B. easy to approach and friendly
C. easy to approach
D. friendly
B. easy to approach and friendly
The sanitation department collects refuse, such as old furniture, empty boxes, and anything else that can’t be recycled.
Choose the correct definition of the word refuse.
a. second hand goods b. garbage c. leftovers
b. garbage
Many people say I am very different from my twin sister. She is reticent, while I am very friendly and outgoing.
Choose the correct definition of the word reticent.
a. rude b. shy c. nervous
c. nervous
What kind of context clue is this?
find another word in the sentence with the same or opposite meaning
synonym and antonym
The movie star's large and beautiful home was palatial.
What does the word palatial.
a. ugly b. tiny c. like a palace
C. Like a palace
Mr. Johnson owned a haberdashery where he sold men’s suits, shirts, and ties.
Choose the correct definition of the word haberdashery.
a. hat store b. department store c. men's clothing store
C. men's clothing store
The pudgy baby panda bear looked chubby and round.
Choose the correct definition of the word pudgy.
a. plump b. thin c. black and white
a. plump
Timothy cleaned his room so thoroughly that not a single particle of dust remained. Nothing was out of place, nor was there even the smallest bit of dirt or grime on any surface.
Choose the correct definition of the word particle.
a. small amount b. package c. leftover
a. small amount
What kind of context clue is this?
looking to see if the word is defined in the sentence or surrounding sentences
definition
Unlike my parents, who love classical music, I detest it.
Choose the correct definition of the word detest.
a. love b. hate c. perform
B. Hate
Regular exercise is beneficial to your body, but too much exercise is not good for you.
Choose the correct definition of the word beneficial.
a. helpful b. harmful c. pleasant
A. helpful
The abandoned house was infested with vermin, including rats, fleas, and cockroaches.
Choose the correct definition of the word vermin.
a. pests b. animals c. insects
a. pests
Mary sneered at the ugly sweater. “Wow,” she said. “That is just hideous."
Choose the correct definition of hideous.
a. expensive b. cheap c. unattractive
What kind of context clue is this?
define what part of the word means
word part
The sanitation department collects refuse, such as old furniture, empty boxes, and anything else that can’t be recycled.
Which type of context clue hints at the word’s meaning?
a. example b. explanation c. synonym d. antonym
a. example
Many people say I am very different from my twin sister. She is reticent, while I am very friendly and outgoing.
Which type of context clue hints at the word’s meaning?
a. example b. explanation c. synonym d. antonym
The pudgy baby panda bear looked chubby and round.
Which type of context clue hints at the word’s meaning?
a. example b. explanation c. synonym d. antonym
c. synonym
Timothy cleaned his room so thoroughly that not a single particle of dust remained. Nothing was out of place, nor was there even the smallest bit of dirt or grime on any surface.
Which type of context clue hints at the word’s meaning?
a. example b. explanation c. synonym d. antonym
a. example
What kind of context clue is this?
find examples of the word in the sentence
examples
Unlike my parents, who love classical music, I detest it.
Which type of context clue hints at the word's meaning?
a. example b. explanation c. synonym d. antonym
d. antonym
Regular exercise is beneficial to your body, but too much exercise is not good for you.
Which type of context clue hints at the word's meaning?
a. example b. explanation c. synonym d. antonym
d. antonym
The abandoned house was infested with vermin, including rats, fleas, and cockroaches.
Which type of context clue hints at the word's meaning?
a. example b. explanation c. synonym d. antonym
a. example
Mary sneered at the ugly sweater. “Wow,” she said. “That is just hideous.”
Which type of context clue hints at the word’s meaning?
a. example b. explanation c. synonym d. antonym
c. synonym