Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM
Region VII
Division Cebu City
North District

LS1 Communication Skills ( )

Name of Learner: ____________________________ Date: _________________
CLC: ______________________________________ Level: ________________
____________________________________________________________________

Lesson: Context Clues

Learning Competency:
 Use context clues (synonym) and antonym) to find/arrive at meanings of
unfamiliar words.
LS1CS/EN-R-PSD-AE/JHS-36/ALS K to 12 CG 2019 pp. 29

Reading comprehension involves using the other words in a sentence to understand

an unknown word. An author often includes hints or clues to help the reader expand
vocabulary and grasp the meaning of the passage. Essentially, context clues are bits of
information in a text that, when combined with prior knowledge, can help the reader
determine the meaning of an unknown word. . They can increase the child's vocabulary,
reading comprehension, and make children better readers.

In this lesson you will learn to about context clues allows students to use words or
groups of words to determine the meaning of an unknown word in any passage. You will
develop your skills in reading in using context clues to comprehend advance what you read.

Let’s think about this

Direction: Look at the pictures below and write down the corresponding
synonyms or antonyms of the following pictures. Choose your answer inside
the box.
Female Cold Accept
Leave Sad Clean

hot dirty

1. __________ 2. __________

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 received
3. __________ 4. __________

happy
male

5. __________ 6. __________

Pre-Test
Direction: Circle the letter of the word that most closely matches the meaning of the
underlined word.

1. The generous people fed the emaciated lost dog.

A. fierce B. calm C. thin D. tame

2. She invariably leaves her homework at home and must turn it in late.
A. purposefully B. hated C. happily D. always

3. The car collector bought the vintage Ford Mustang.

A. rose colored B. broken down C. real D. classic

4. The little boy became drowsy as the day turned into night.
A. desperate B. active C. tired D. sleepy

5. He was amazed at the beauty he saw above him.

A. pleased B. disappointed C. shock D. astonished

6. Little sparrow began to feel as powerful as the giant bird.

A. large B. strong C. beautiful D. weak

7. The people watched with awe as the eagle flew above them.
A. anger B. terror C. wonder D. fear

8. The boy was very confused after he bumped his head.

A. mixed up B. relaxed C. excited D. stress

9. The castle looked enormous in the background.

A. very big B. far C. near D. tiny

10. When the boy became chief, he ruled with wisdom.

A. many riches B. no help C. understanding D. ignorance

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 Let’s see what you already know
Direction: Read the words in the box below. Write context clue words where it belongs.
Choose your answer inside the box.

1. We had to wait in a long __________________ at the movies.

2. I had to _________________ my name on the paper.

3. The student had to ___________________ aloud to the class.

4. My dad tried to ___________________ a mouse.

5. The ______________________ was an excellent cook.

6. I had to ___________________ my hand before speaking in class.

7. I love to eat _______________________.

8. The _______________________ broke down.

9. We tried to ______________________ as city champions.

Let’s learn
Context clues are hints
found within a sentence,
paragraph, or passage that
a reader can use to
understand the meanings of
new or unfamiliar words.
Context Clues are words
in the sentence that help
you figure out the meaning
of a difficult word that you
do not know.

This are hints that an

author gives to help define
a difficult or unusual word within a book. The clue may appear within the same sentence as the
word to which it refers or it may follow in the next sentence. Because most of our vocabulary is
gained through reading, it is important that we are able to recognize and take advantage of context
clues.

What does a context clue look like?

There are at five kinds of context clues that are quite common:

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 1. Synonym (or repeat context clue): An author will use more than one word that means the
same thing. Words with similar meanings are used within the same sentence, or around the
unfamiliar word.

Examples:

1. Judy Santos Agoncillo is a very pretty Filipino Actress.

She is lovely while wearing the Filipinia dress.

2. Dr. Jose Rizal is a very clever person. He

wrote many famous books that marks a great
history in our county that’s why he is an
intelligent person.

2. Antonym (or contr

ast context clue):
The text may
include a word or
words that have the
opposite meaning, which can reveal the meaning of an unknown term. Words with similar meanings
are used within the opposite sentence, or around the unfamiliar word. Uses words like: whereas,
unlike, as opposed to, however, in contrast to, but, on the other hand.

Examples:
1. Manila Bay is a very dirty Philippine
harbor before
but it was rehabilitated, and Manila Bay
now is clean with a very magnificent white
sand which attract many people to visit the
place.

2. We are happy today because Russian Country develop a vaccine for the COVID 19 pandemic,
but we are also sad many people died due to this pandemic.

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3. Explanation (or a definition context clue): An unknown word is explained within the sentence or
in the sentence immediately after. The unfamiliar word is directly defined in the sentence in which
it appears. Definitions are usually set off by commas or dashes. Includes the words: as, or, that is,
and in other words.
Examples:

1. Global warming -is the unusually rapid increase

in Earth's average surface temperature over the past
century primarily due to the greenhouse gases
released by people burning
fossil fuels.

2. COVID-19 - is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus.

'CO' stands for corona, 'VI' for virus, and 'D' for disease. Formerly, this
disease was referred to as '2019 novel coronavirus' or '2019-nCoV.'

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4. Example (or an example context clue): The text provides one or more examples used to define
the term. Words or phrase that use as an examples to illustrate the subject in the sentence.

Example:
1. To protect our selves from the Corona Virus we need to follow the following safety
protocol such as wearing face mask, maintain social distancing, wash your hands, and stay at
home.

2. We are not experiencing global warming due to

different human unreasonable activities. We need to do
the following examples so that we can avoid global
warming like planting a tree, recycle non-
biodegradable materials, stop burning plastics, take
care of plants and animals etc.,

5. Inference- words are not directly stated in the text, but definitions of unfamiliar words can be
assumed by what you know + what you read. A words definition is not explained, and you need to
look for clues before or after a sentence.

Examples:
1. The typhoon Yolanda is a catastrophic typhoon
because it damages many properties and loses
thousands of Filipino lives.

catastrophic- causing sudden great damage or

suffering.

2. The coconut tree is versatile because it has many uses

such as fruit, handicrafts, brooms, basket, furniture, and
health benefits.

versatile- having many uses or applications versatile

building material.

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 Context clues are the words and sentences that surround a word and help explain the word's
meaning.

Importance of Context Clues

 are hugely important because their comprehension and effective usage leads to academic
success. They can increase the child's vocabulary, reading comprehension, and make
children better readers.
 good readers use context clues to help them understand the meaning of an unfamiliar and
challenging word.
 a reader might use the meaning of other words in a sentence or a picture on the page to
help them learn the meaning of the unknown word.
 word context clues are an effective way to build your vocabulary.
 using context clues helps you with test-taking and can make reading more enjoyable.
 it also can help you read difficult text without using the dictionary, increasing the rate at
which you read.

engage
Activity 1
Direction: Read each question CAREFULLY and bubble in the correct answer on your scantron.
The word you are defining may be in bold, underlined or both.
1.No matter where you go, the Internet is following you. Almost every portable device is being
made with an Internet connection. Most new TVs and many other appliances come with Internet
connections as well. The Internet is truly ubiquitous.
If something is ubiquitous, __________.
a. it is fuzzy and will bite you b. it is everywhere
c. it costs too much money d. it causes rashes
2. Speaking rudely to the judges was rash behavior. You really hurt your chances of winning!
In the above context, what does “rash” mean?
a. an itchy skin condition
b. funny
c. trying to hide or disguise a piece of cheese
d. with little thought or consideration

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3. Some people are always bashing the president just like others bashed the one before him.
Wouldn't you think that everyone could find something to praise him for, at least once in a while?
What does “bashing” mean in the above selection?
a. hitting hard with a heavy tool
b. going to too many expensive parties
c. speaking or writing harshly about
d. voting for a different candidate
4. Wherever he goes, the esteemed Dr. Sanchez is applauded for his life saving research.
What does “esteemed” mean?
a. held over boiling water b. very old
c. unable to chew gum d. greatly admired
5. I believe that if you lower taxes so that people can keep more of the money they earn, it will be
an incentive for them to work harder. What is the meaning of “incentive”? __________.
a. a reason to do something b. a small amount of money
c. a tax d. a good job
6. Most of America's Founding Fathers did not believe in women's suffrage. Only men could vote
in the United states until 1920. What is “suffrage” ?
a. something that causes physical pain b. an early flag
c. skirts that did not cover ankles d. the right to vote

engage
Activity 2
Direction: Read the sentence and choose the meaning of the underlined word.

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 POST-TEST
. Let’s see what have you learned:
A. Direction: Read each question CAREFULLY and encircle the correct answer.
The word you are defining may be in bold, underlined or both.

1. The Saints and Strangers argued about how they would live in the New World. After much
discussion, they came together and signed the Mayflower Compact. The Compact was _____.
a. a container for makeup b. a small item
c. a machine used for mashing corn d. an agreement

2. When the Pilgrims landed in what is now Massachusetts, they were fearful that the Native
Americans would attack them. However, the people that they encountered, the Wampanoag
Indians, were a peaceful and generous tribe. To encounter, is to _______.
a. meet b. note how many c. fight d. exchange text messages

3. As the summer sun sent scattered rays through the maple and oak leaves overhead, the young
deer stood frozen, making it almost impossible for the hikers to see her.
In the above passage, the word “frozen” means _______.
a. very cold b. visible c. not moving d. not melted

4. Christmas is a time when Dad reverts to his childhood. I really think he looks forward to
Santa’s visit more than any other member of the family. Mom says that he’ll always be a child
during this season. What does “reverts” mean in the above passage?
a. stands up straight b. peeks at presents
c. drinks too much egg nog d. goes back to being what he was

5. Fortunately, the explosion diverted the asteroid from a course that would have sent it hurdling
into our planet. To divert is to _______.
a. change the direction of b. look for really high waves
c. jump into a dry river d. look through a telescope

B. Direction: 1-2 Write the antonym for each underlined word and write it in a sentence.

Ex. My sister is a shy person. My sister is a very confident person.

1. Eric wrote false for every question on the test.

_________________________________________________________________

2. Laura always disobeyed her mother.

_______________________________________________________________

3-5 Write the synonyms for each underlined word in the sentence.

3. As we walked to school, the cool wind blew.

______________________________________________________________

4. She was chatting with her girlfriend in the back of the class.
_______________________________________________________________

5. The actress Ms. Angel Locsin if very beautiful.

________________________________________________________________

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 LS1 Communication Skills ( )
Name of Learner: ____________________________ Date: _________________
CLC: ______________________________________ Level: ________________

Learner’s Reflection:
 What is context clues?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

 What are the five kinds of context clues and give examples?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

 Why is context clues very important part in reading?

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

References:
https://www.mdc.edu/kendall/collegeprep/documents2/context%20cluesrev8192.pdf
https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-context-clues.html
https://www.dictionary.com/e/context-clues/
https://www.easyteacherworksheets.com/langarts/context.html
Context Clues Worksheet With Anwers (grammarbank.com)

Prepared by:
JOHANNA E. FUENTES
ALS Teacher- North District

Note: “Don’t read in dim lit conditions. Read in a perfectly lit room.
________________ _______________
ALS Learner Signature ALS Teacher Signature

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