Inferred Context Clues

Objectives
Student will be able to:
  • use context clues to infer the meaning of an unfamiliar word.

Introduction
Sometimes when you read, you come across words you do not know. How can you find out what these words mean? One strategy is to use context clues. These are the words that come before and after an unknown word. They also might be found in other sentences within a paragraph.

Many times, you will need to use the context clues to infer the meaning of a word you do not know. This means that you use the context clues and your prior knowledge to determine the word's meaning. A writer will use different strategies to aid the reader.

Examples
Let's look at some examples.
 
Read the following sentence.
 
My answer corresponds exactly with the answer in the textbook. 
 
How can you use context clues and your prior experience to infer the meaning of the word corresponds?

The words My answer, exactly, and the answer in the textbook are clues to the meaning of the word correspond.

Based on your prior knowledge, you know that if your answer to a question is exactly like the answer in the textbook, it is correct. The two answers match.

So, you can infer from the context clues and your prior knowledge that the word correspond in this sentence means "match."

Let's look at another example.
 
Read the following sentence. 

Joseph took a solitary walk early this morning. He enjoyed being along in the peaceful woods behind his home.

How can you use context clues and your prior experience to infer the meaning of the word solitary?


The words enjoyed being alone are a clue to the meaning of the word solitary.  

You know that Joseph is taking a peaceful walk by himself.

So, you can infer from this that the word solitary must mean "by oneself."

Try Together
Read the following passage. Then circle the letter for the definition for each underlined word as it is used in the passage.

1.
The word develop means  
a.   to stop completely
b.   to finish something 
c.   to cause to progress 
d. to grow or unfold slowly
 
d.   to grow or unfold slowly
 

2.
The word envelops means
a.   something used for covering
b.   to hide from sight
c.   to cover completely
d. something used for mailing
 
c.   to cover completely
 

Use context clues in the pasage to complete each sentence.
3.
The word illumination means .
 
light
 

4.
The word exasperated means .
 
Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include: 
  • irritated
  • annoyed
  • frustrated
 

Please evaluate the student's answers:

Excellent

Good

Okay
 

Exhibit Preview Close
   An electrical storm begins to develop outside your window. Thunder booms, and lightning flashes. Suddenly, the house lights blink off. Darkness envelops your room. Without illumination, you can't see your homework or anything else. Even the television screen is blank. You feel quite exasperated because you are in the middle of an important assignment that is due the next day.