Context Clues: Mixed Practice
Objectives
Student will be able to:
explain the meaning of unfamiliar words by using synonyms, definitions, and examples.
interpret the meaning of unfamiliar words by using inferred context clues.
Introduction
All readers come across new, unfamiliar words as they read. How can you find the meaning of these new words? You can look them up in a dictionary or glossary, or you can use
context clues
to discover meanings.
Some context clues are
stated
in the text. These include synonyms, definitions, and example clues.
A
synonym
clue is a word nearby with a similar meaning.
A
definition
is a phrase or sentence that explains the new word.
An
example
clue provides an example of the new word. These words may help you identify example clues when you see them:
like
,
such as
,
including
, and
for example
.
Sometimes you can guess, or
infer,
the meaning of a new word by using your knowledge about the topic. You infer the meaning of the word based on other clues and your experience.
Exercises
Click on "The New Ruler" to read a fairy tale. As you read, pay attention to the boldfaced words. Use the context of the words to figure out their meanings.
For each of the following words, circle the answer choice that has a similar meaning.
1.
Reigned means __________.
a.
lived
b.
ruled
c.
assigned
d.
worked
b. ruled
1
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
2.
Monarch means __________.
a.
butterfly
b.
palace
c.
ruler
d.
worker
c. ruler
2
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
3.
Retire means __________.
a.
stop working
b.
start working
c.
build
d.
accept
a. stop working
3
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
4.
Contemplated means __________.
a.
thought carefully
b.
slept well
c.
laughed over
d.
decided
a. thought carefully
4
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
5.
Conclusion means __________.
a.
question
b.
completion
c.
ability
d.
decision
b. completion
5
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
6.
Murmured means __________.
a.
called loudly
b.
stomped about
c.
talked quietly
d.
surrendered
c. talked quietly
6
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
7.
Capable means __________.
a.
able
b.
strong
c.
patriotic
d.
handsome
a. able
7
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
8.
Eager means __________.
a.
humble
b.
scared
c.
unable
d.
excited
d. excited
8
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
9.
Perilous means __________.
a.
safe
b.
dangerous
c.
hungry
d.
greedy
b. dangerous
9
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
10.
Answer the following question in a complete sentence.
What context clues helped you identify the meaning of the word
perilous
?
Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include:
• The phrase ". . . as fighting a lion" helped me determine that
perilous
means "dangerous."
The word "dangerous" in the next sentence helped me figure out the meaning of the word
perilous
.
10
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
Exhibit Preview
Close
Once upon a time, in a faraway land, Queen Larique
reigned
. She had ruled over the land as its
monarch
for thirty years. Queen Larique was ready to
retire
. She wanted to stop working at her job. The question was: who would become the next ruler of the land?
Queen Larique
contemplated
this question, thinking carefully for seven days and nights. Finally, she reached a
conclusion
. Queen Larique decided that whoever could complete a difficult task would rule in her place. The task would be
perilous
, like fighting a lion. As people
murmured
in soft voices about the dangerous nature of the task, fewer and fewer people wanted to try to win the throne.
At last, one man named Orsa stepped forward. "I love my country, and I am a very
capable
person," he said. "While other people may be unfit for danger, I am more than able to face Queen Larique's task."
When the queen saw Orsa's
eager
face and heard his enthusiastic words, she put her crown on a cushion. She smiled and said "My good subject, Orsa, your courage is great. I feel sure that you will succeed in this task. I believe you will soon be King Orsa!"