INFERRING

THE MEANING
OF UNFAMILIAR WORDS
Write the letter of the paragraph that
persuades. Tell why?
A. Water causes some of the changes
in the earth’s surface. When it rains,
raindrops strike the surface of the
earth. The force of the raindrops
loosens the soil particles. As the water
flows over the ground, it carries along
the soil particles.
B. After the Dona Paz-Vector diasater, the
worst sea tragedy in many years, bus
firms and airlines have been under much
pressure. Some employees of these
transport companies have demanded as
much as P300 from passengers desperate
for a booking. The amount is nearly half
the cost of a ticket. It really appears as
though we are hopelessly corrupt people,
doesn’t it?
C. Animals need clean air, clean land and clean
water to live. This is as true of people as it is
of the tamaraw, the monkey eating eagle, and
other animals in nature. Animals can do
nothing about their changing environment. But
people can. We can stop the use of harmful
animal spray. We can find ways to end
pollution. Perhaps in saving wildlife, we will
help save ourselves.
D. How to make pork curry: heat oil
and sauté pork with garlic, onion, pork
broth cube and curry. Add eggplant
and red pepper. Pour evaporated milk
and season chili sauce.
 A B
happy - joyful happy - sad
pretty - pretty - ugly
beautiful big -
big - small
large hot -
hot - cold
warm start -
 Words in Column A have the same
meanings. They are called synonyms.

Words in Column B have opposite or

different meanings. They are called
antonyms.
 Have you imagined not drinking water or any other
liquid within the next eight hours? This is what you
basically do while you sleep. Your body becomes slowly
dehydrated or water-deprived because it needs fluid for
the body organs to function or do their job while you are
sleeping. If you drink a large glass of water upon waking
up, it would fire up your energy for 90 minutes. Water
helps your body flush out toxins or poisonous
substances, especially through your kidneys. Since your
brain tissue is 75% water, it needs to be hydrated enough
to operate well. You can feel exhausted or tired if you
lack water. So would you now start drinking a big glass
of water first thing in the morning? The choice is yours.
Dehydrated - water-deprived

•Toxins - poisonous substances

•Hydrated – (antonym of dehydrated) with

enough water/fluid

•Exhausted - tired
•
Lesson:
Water is very important for a
healthy body.
THINK-PAIR-SHARE: Look for that Clue!
Remember that context clues are very important in
inferring the meaning of a word. Context clues can be a
definition, example, synonym or antonym, or the general
sense of the sentence.
For each sentence below, use the context to help
you determine the meaning of the underlined word.
1. Mr. Reyes is already having difficulty to see objects
clearly so he went to an ophthalmologist for a check-up.
A. a doctor who treats eye problems
B. a doctor who treats heart problems
2. Taking a bath everyday and brushing your
teeth regularly are examples of good hygiene.
A. ways to be successful
B. ways to maintain a clean body
3. We need to strengthen our biceps so we
can have stronger arms that can carry heavier
objects.
A. the large flexor muscle of the upper arm
B. the large flexor muscle of the face
4.The dentist gave me vitamins for stronger gums
because she said I have gingivitis.
A. a disease in which teeth become soft
and broken
B. a disease in which gums become red
and swollen
5. Our teacher told us to eat foods rich in calcium
so we can have strong bones.
A. a substance that is found in most plants
important to develop strong bones.
6.Marco does several exercises like push-ups and
curl-ups to strengthen his abdominal muscles.
A. muscles in the upper arms
B. muscles in the abdomen
7. Some of the habits that will improve our mental
health are to stay away from stress, sleep
adequately, read books, and meditate to relax the
mind.
A. condition of the mind
B. condition of the whole body
8. Our Science teacher told us that
cardiac muscles help in pumping blood
from the heart throughout the body.
A. muscle in the stomach
B. muscles surrounding the heart
 In our everyday life, we sometimes
encounter unfamiliar words when
reading or speaking with other people.
What may happen if we are able to
infer the meaning of an unfamiliar
word correctly? What if we did not?
 How can we infer the meaning of an unfamiliar
word?

 We can infer the meaning of an unfamiliar

word by looking for context clues or by
analyzing the general sense of the sentence.
Context clues can be a definition, example,
synonym or antonym.
Match the meaning of the underlined words in column A with the
corresponding meaning in column B. Write the letter of the correct
answer.
A B
1. Eating too much fatty foods may clog our blood A. Doctor who treats
vessels which leads to poor blood heart diseases
circulation. B. Small tube that
2. Dr. Santos is a good cardiologist. He cures
carries blood throughout
patients with heart diseases.
the body
3. Martha is suffering from myopia or near-
sightedness. She can hardly see things that are
C. Skin
far away. D. A condition of being
4. We should not stay too long under the sun to near-sighted
prevent damage to our integument or covering of E. Ability to do
the body. something difficult for a
5. Toni jogs 5 kilometers everyday To develop his long time
endurance.