READING (24-10)

Context clues
1> Definition: the meaning is explained in the sentence
Signal words: is, are, is called, means…
Example: Brick made of clay is called adobe.
Mr Fry is an affable principal. He is pleasantly easy to approach
and always friendly.
2> Synonym: a word with a similar meaning as the unknown
Signal words: as, like, same, similarly, too…
Example: Mr Fry is quite affable. In fact, he reminds me of Ms Baker. Do
you remember how kind she was?
3> Antonym: a word that means the opposite of the unknown word.
Signal words: but, however, unlike, although…
Example: I miss Mr. Fry. Our new principal is cranky and unapproachable.
Mr Fry was so affable.
4> Example: several examples in the list
Signal words: such as, for instance, including, like
Example: People grew so many crops such as corn, bean, squash
5> Inference: General clues which imply the idea of the word
Example: You don’t need to worry about talking to Mr Fry. He is an
affable principal.
Bài tập: Choose the correct meaning of the underlined word
1. Our baseball team's pitcher has a few eccentric habits, such as throwing
exactly thirteen warm-up pitches and never wearing socks.
A) normal
B) strange
C) messy
2. After the heavy rains, the stream became murky; in fact, the water was so
cloudy you couldn't see the bottom.
A) cloudy
B) bottomless
C) clear
3. The newlyweds agreed to be very frugal in their shopping because they
wanted to save enough money to buy a house.
A) economical
B) wasteful
C) interested
4. Although Alex usually looks unkempt, he had a very neat appearance at
his job interview.
A) orderly
B) handsome
C) messy
5. The teacher anticipated the first day of school with much longing.
A) looked forward to
B) dreaded
 C) regretted
6. The girl’s hypothesis was that someone was watching her, but she
couldn’t prove it yet.
A) theory
B) conclusion
C) mystery
7. Her mother said: “I forbid you to go to the store – it is raining outside”
A) hope
B) not allow
C) punish
8. The glass plate shattered when it hit the floor and broke into a thousand
pieces.
A) break into pieces
B) bounced
C) made a loud noise
9. The movie star’s large and beautiful home was palatial.
A. ugly B. tiny C. for dogs D. like a palace
10. At the restaurant we were offered a variety of beverages, like milk and
ice tea.
A. bread B. silverware C. drinks D. menus
11. Slavery was abolished in the U.S. after the Civil War.
A. outlawed B. exchanged C. running D. common
12. Pedestrians should look both ways before crossing the street.
A. crosswalks B. walkers C. stoplights D. Parrots
13. When I fell off the trampoline, I fractured my arm and wore a cast.
A. rested B. broke C. avoided D. looked at
14. The class decided to exhibit the science project during Parents’ Night.
A. lose B. eat C. trade D. Show
15. Typewriters became obsolete with the development of personal
computers.
A. popular B. out-dated C. careful D. round
16. His mother gets anxious if he stays outside after dark.
A. nervous B. silly C. happy D. sleepy
17. After the rainstorm, the rainbow lit up the sky with vivid colors.
A. dark B. funny C. bright D. normal