Context Clues
"The glass was fragile and broke easily when it fell."
Question: What does fragile mean?
Easily broken
Clue: "broke easily"
"The brain thinks the situation is stressful..."
Question: What does stressful mean?
Stressful: causing worry, pressure, or nervous feeling.
Evidence: the brain thinks its dangerous / makes the body react.
Which word is closest to fragile?
A. strong
B. delicate
C. heavy
B. delicate
"The glass was so __ that it broke when it fell."
A. strong
B. fragile
C. heavy
fragile
Explain the meaning of context clues
Context clues are hints in the text that help figure out word meaning.
"The timid puppy hid behind the couch when guests arrived."
Question: What does timid mean?
Shy or easily scared
Clue: "hid behind the couch"
"These reactions are part of the body's natural response to fear."
Question: What does response mean?
Response: a reaction or how someone/something reacts.
Evidence: "reaction to fear" is directly stated
Which word is closest to cautious?
A. careful
B. loud
C. fast
A. careful
"She walked __ across the icy sidewalk so she wouldn't slip."
A. quickly
B. cautiously
C. loudly
cautiously
Explain the meaning of synonym
Synonym is a word with a similar meaning.
"His directions were vague, so we still didn't know where to go."
Question: What does vague mean?
Unclear or not specific
Clue: "still didn't know where to go"
"Many performers learn to manage their fear..."
Question: What does manage mean?
Manage: control or handle
Evidence: they practice and take deep breaths to deal with fear.
Which word is closest to vague?
A. clear
B. confusing
C. bright
B. confusing
"The directions were so __ that no one understood where to go."
A. clear
B. vague
C. helpful
vague
Explain the meaning of antonym
Antonym is a word with the opposite meaning.
"The house was abandoned, with broken windows and no one inside."
Question: What does abandoned mean?
Left behind / empty
Clue: "no one inside," "broken windows"
"Over time, people become more confident..."
Question: What does confident mean?
Confident: sure of yourself; not nervous
Evidence: they improve after practicing and facing fears.
Which word is closest to confident?
A. unsure
B. proud
C. certain
C. certain
"He felt __ before going on stage and speaking in front of everyone."
A. excited
B. uneasy
C. calm
uneasy
Explain the meaning of evidence
Evidence is the details from the text that supports an answer.
"She felt uneasy walking alone in the dark hallway."
Question: What does uneasy mean?
Nervous or uncomfortable
Clue: "walking alone in the dark hallway"
"The body begins to react in certain ways..."
Question: What does react mean?
React: what the body does in response to something.
Evidence: heart beating faster, sweating, shaking
Which word is closest to anticipate?
A. forget
B. expect
C. avoid
B. expect
"She waited with __ to hear if she made the team."
A. boredom
B. anticipation
C. anger
anticipation
Explain the meaning of analyze