Use Context Clues for Meaning
- 1Print it first. Read it once together and talk it through.
- 2Exercises on paper, then correct together with the answer key.
- 3Next day: a 10-minute review here on screen saves progress.
What you will learn
- 1Identify context clues in a sentence to work out the meaning of an unknown word
- 2Use surrounding words and phrases to choose the best word to fill a gap
- 3Explain how context clues help readers understand unfamiliar vocabulary
Mini Lesson
When you meet a word you do not know, you do not need to stop reading. Look at the other words in the sentence — they are your context clues. Context clues are hints that help you figure out what an unfamiliar word means.
Types of Context Clues
- Definition clue — the sentence explains the word directly. "A herbivore, an animal that eats only plants, was grazing in the field."
- Example clue — the sentence gives examples. "Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and limes, are high in vitamin C."
- Contrast clue — the sentence shows the opposite. "Unlike her timid sister, Maya was bold and spoke in front of the whole group."
- Inference clue — you use what you know to make a reasonable guess. "After the long hike, the children were famished and ate every last bite."
Steps to Use Context Clues
- Read the whole sentence (or the sentences before and after).
- Find any words or phrases that give hints about the unknown word.
- Decide which meaning makes the sentence make sense.
- Replace the unknown word with your guess and reread to check.
Words to know
Context clue
A hint in the surrounding words that helps you figure out an unknown word
e.g. I used a context clue to learn that "famished" means very hungry.
Definition clue
A clue where the sentence directly explains the word
e.g. A herbivore, an animal that eats only plants, was grazing.
Example clue
A clue that gives examples of the word
e.g. Citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, are tasty.
Contrast clue
A clue that shows the opposite of the word
e.g. Unlike her timid sister, Maya was bold.
Inference
A reasonable guess based on what you know
e.g. I used inference to guess what "drowsy" meant.
Unfamiliar
Not known to you; new to you
e.g. "Famished" was an unfamiliar word.
Look beyond the sentence — the paragraph around an unknown word often holds the best clues.
Guided Practice
Read the story. Use context clues to work out what peculiar, vivid, and elated mean.
The Lost Parrot
Tap Open to start →
Cover
Exercises
Read each sentence. Use the context clues to type a word that fits in the blank.
Pick the best answer.
1. What is a context clue?
2. "A carnivore, an animal that eats only meat, prowled the forest." What type of context clue is used here?
3. "Unlike her energetic brother, Lily was lethargic and spent the day on the sofa." What does lethargic mean?
4. Which is the best first step when you meet an unknown word?
5. "Citrus fruits, such as lemons, limes, and oranges, are rich in vitamin C." What type of context clue is used here?
6. How do you check whether your guess for an unknown word is correct?
7. "After the enormous meal, the guests were satiated and did not want dessert." What does satiated mean?
8. Which sentence uses a contrast clue?
9. Why are context clues useful for readers?
10. "The explorer was dauntless; even in the face of danger, she showed no fear." What does dauntless mean?
Parent Checklist
For the parent: after correcting together, check off what your child has really understood