Grade: Grade 10 Subject: English Language Arts Unit: Advanced Vocabulary Lesson: 3 of 6 SAT: Craft+Structure ACT: Reading

Context Clues in Text Practice

Learn

Context clues are hints within a text that help readers deduce the meaning of unfamiliar words. Mastering this skill is essential for SAT and ACT reading comprehension, where you must determine word meanings without a dictionary.

Types of Context Clues

  • Definition/Restatement: The author directly defines the word or restates it in simpler terms. Look for signal words like "is," "means," "refers to," or dashes and parentheses.
  • Synonym: A word with similar meaning appears nearby. Signal words include "like," "similar to," "also known as."
  • Antonym/Contrast: A word with opposite meaning provides a clue. Look for "but," "however," "unlike," "whereas," "on the other hand."
  • Example: Specific examples illustrate the word's meaning. Signal words: "for example," "such as," "including," "for instance."
  • Inference: You must combine multiple clues and use logic to determine meaning based on the overall context.

Strategy for Finding Context Clues

  1. Read the entire sentence containing the unknown word
  2. Look at the sentences before and after for additional context
  3. Identify any signal words that indicate the type of clue
  4. Substitute your predicted meaning to verify it makes sense
  5. Check if the word has a positive, negative, or neutral connotation

Examples

Example 1: Definition Clue

"The archeologist discovered a sarcophagus--a stone coffin used in ancient Egypt--buried beneath the temple floor."

Analysis: The definition is provided directly after the dashes. A sarcophagus is a stone coffin used in ancient Egypt.

Example 2: Contrast Clue

"Unlike her gregarious sister who thrived at parties, Maria preferred quiet evenings alone with a book."

Analysis: The contrast word "unlike" signals that gregarious is opposite to Maria's preference for solitude. Gregarious means sociable or fond of company.

Example 3: Example Clue

"The laboratory contained various pieces of apparatus, such as beakers, test tubes, Bunsen burners, and microscopes."

Analysis: The examples following "such as" are all laboratory equipment. Apparatus means equipment or tools for a particular purpose.

Example 4: Inference Clue

"After the scandal broke, the politician's once-stellar reputation was tarnished. Voters who had admired him now viewed him with suspicion and distrust."

Analysis: We must infer from the shift from admiration to suspicion that tarnished means damaged or diminished in quality.

Practice

Read each passage and use context clues to determine the meaning of the bolded word. Identify the type of context clue used.

1. "The pernicious effects of the chemical were evident: plants withered, animals became ill, and the once-clear stream turned murky."

What does "pernicious" mean? What type of clue helped you?

2. "While most critics found the film to be banal, offering nothing new or interesting, a few praised its familiar, comforting themes."

What does "banal" mean? What type of clue helped you?

3. "Her alacrity--eager willingness and enthusiasm--impressed the hiring committee during the interview."

What does "alacrity" mean? What type of clue helped you?

4. "The treaty was designed to ameliorate tensions between the two nations, reducing the likelihood of armed conflict."

What does "ameliorate" mean? What type of clue helped you?

5. "The professor's lucid explanation made the complex theory accessible to even the newest students in the class."

What does "lucid" mean? What type of clue helped you?

6. "Unlike the taciturn farmer who rarely spoke more than necessary, his wife engaged visitors with lengthy, animated conversations."

What does "taciturn" mean? What type of clue helped you?

7. "The ephemeral nature of cherry blossoms, which bloom for only a week or two before falling, makes them all the more precious in Japanese culture."

What does "ephemeral" mean? What type of clue helped you?

8. "The defendant's attorney presented several pieces of exculpatory evidence, including witness testimony and surveillance footage, that proved his client could not have committed the crime."

What does "exculpatory" mean? What type of clue helped you?

9. "The obsequious assistant agreed with everything the boss said, laughed at all his jokes, and never offered an original opinion."

What does "obsequious" mean? What type of clue helped you?

10. "The scientist's hypothesis--her educated guess about the experiment's outcome--would need to be tested through rigorous experimentation."

What does "hypothesis" mean? What type of clue helped you?

Check Your Understanding

1. What are the five main types of context clues discussed in this lesson?

2. Which signal words indicate a contrast clue?

3. Why is it important to read sentences before and after an unknown word?

4. How can understanding word connotation help you determine meaning from context?

Next Steps

  • Practice identifying context clues in your daily reading
  • Keep a vocabulary journal with new words and their context clues
  • Move on to the next lesson to apply vocabulary in your writing
  • Return to this lesson's practice problems periodically for review