Using Context Clues

Context Clues – words, phrases

and sentences that surround an
unfamiliar word that can help you
recognize the meaning of an
unknown because the text gives
you information about it.
Common Types of Context Clues
1. Synonyms - used when the text has
words or phrases that are similar in
meaning to the unknown word.
- “like”, “as”
a. Humpty Dumpty took great pleasure in
obfuscating the poem’s meaning for Alice.
His explanation about the poem were
confusing and complicated.
b. Alice envisaged the
Jabberwock in her mind. She
imagined its sharp claws
and jaws, and then
shivered.
2. Antonyms - word that reveals the
opposite meaning in relation to the
unknown word.
- “although”, “but”, “despite”,
“instead”, “in contrast”, “unlike”, “however”,
“even though”, “on the contrast”,
“conversely”
 a. The Jabberwock was relentlessly
pursued by the boy, unlike the others who
gave up easily when they heard how
terrifying the creature was.

b. The hero in the poem did not give in to

trepidation; rather, he bravely slayed the
Jabberwock with his sword
3. Examples - specific details in a text that
are used to clarify the meaning of a word.
a. There are many eccentric creatures in
the forest, such as mome raths and
borogoves.
4. Explanation and Definitions
-explanations may be given as clues to
describe an unknown term (“because”, “that
is” follow a word)
-definitions may follow an unfamiliar word
(“means”, “is defined as”, “refers to” are
used)
a. Hearing someone “outgrabe” –
which means he is whistling,
bellowing, and sneezing all at once
– can be a funny sight.
b. Humpty Dumpty told Alice that
“brillig” means the same as four
o’clock in the afternoon, because
that is when people started broiling
things for dinner
5. Situations – in which a word is used can
also be helpful in determining the meaning
of that word.
a. The boy wondered if he should have
brought some back up, in case he could
not take on the Jabberwock by himself.
b. The hero is lucky that the murder of the
Jabberwock does not merit a case in
court.
Identify the types of context clues used
for each of the following sentences.

1.I saw a man vaping his e-cigarette. He was

inhaling and exhaling the vapor from the
device.
2.Contactless payment technologies, unlike
traditional modes of payment, make use of
smart cards to connect wirelessly to e-readers
for more efficient payment.
3. Signing an online petition, sharing a
status message, or liking a post are
increasingly regarded as actions falling
under slacktivism, a digital form of
activism with little involvement.
4. Some parents are anti-vax – that is, anti
vaccinations – because they believe these
chemicals may trigger autism in students.
5. Some people like making duck faces, or
pressing their lips together in the shape of a
ducks bill, when they take selfies.
6. Watch this video to discover the meaning
of life! “This beggar’s response will restore
your faith in humanity!” and “See how one
woman made a million pesos from her
living room” are types of headlines called
clickbaits.
7. Advances in neuromorphic
technology have excited many
scientists. These systems that
mimic the human nervous system
show much promise in the field of
medicine.