Vocabulary
Word Parts
Context Clues
100

This strategy involves writing down new words and their definitions to help remember them.

What is keeping a vocabulary journal?

100

The part of a word that gives it its primary meaning is called this.

root

100

This type of clue uses synonyms or explanations in the sentence to help you figure out the meaning of an unknown word.

What are definition or restatement clues?

200

A method where you use digital or physical cards with the word on one side and the definition on the other.

What is using flashcards?

200

This is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning, like "pre-" or "un-."

prefix

200

The opposite of a word is provided in the sentence to help determine the meaning of a new word.

  1. What are antonym clues?

300

This strategy involves grouping words into related categories, such as animals, colors, or emotions, to help learn them more easily.

What is categorization or word grouping?

300

This is a group of letters added to the end of a word to alter its meaning or form, like "-ful" or "-less."

suffix

300

This type of context clue provides examples in a sentence to help clarify the meaning of a word. For example, “Celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, and stars…”

What are example clues?  

400

When you say the word aloud and spell it multiple times to help reinforce memory, what strategy are you using?


  • What is verbal repetition?


400

This word part, meaning "write" or "written," can be found in words like "autograph" or "telegraph."

the root is graph

400

This clue type relies on the reader’s understanding of the general meaning of the sentence or paragraph to guess the meaning of a word.

What are inference clues?

500

This advanced strategy involves using new vocabulary in writing, such as essays or short stories, to fully integrate the words into your active vocabulary.

What is applying words in context or writing practice?

500

The word part "bio" means life. Give an example of a word with this root and explain its meaning.


What is "biology," meaning the study of life?

500

This specific clue structure provides the definition of the unknown word within a comma, dash, or parentheses. For example: “Erosion – the process by which the earth’s surface is worn away – is a key factor in geology.”

What are appositive clues?