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CONTEXT CLUES
The Key to Vocabulary
What are Context Clues?

They are signal words
 Words,

phrase, or sentences around an unfamiliar word
Used to give insight into what an unknown word
might mean
5 Types
Restatement Clues


Words or phrases that define an unfamiliar word or
restate its meaning in different terms
Example:
 The
dried rose was as fragile as a butterfly’s wings. In
other words, its delicate petals can be damaged easily.
 What
does fragile mean?
 What clues give it away?
Example Clues



Examples sometimes give us clues to what words
mean.
If an unfamiliar word means a certain type of thing,
action, or characteristic, examples of the type can
be excellent clues to the word’s meaning.
Example:
 When
our neighbors travel, they always look for
comfortable accommodations, such as a beach cottage,
hotel suite, or mountain cabin.
 What
does the word mean?
 What clues give it away?
Contrast/Antonym Clues


Look for words or phrases that are the opposite of
a word’s meaning.
Example:
 Knowledge
is a remedy for many environmental
problems, but knowledge without action cannot cure the
ills.
 What
does the word mean?
 What clues give it away?
Keyword Clues


Look for words or phrases that modify or are
related to the unfamiliar word.
Example:
 The
two characters in my story believe it is their destiny
to be enemies. Their elders have taught them that this
is meant to be.
 What
does the word mean?
 What clues give it away?
Definition/Explanation Clues


A sentence may actually define or explain an
unfamiliar word.
Example:
 Alan
will help the woman once she escapes and
becomes a fugitive from her troubled country.
 What
does the word mean?
 What clues give it away?
Run and Flowers Vocabulary
From the stories: “Raymond’s Run” and “Mrs.
Flowers”
1. Aura

Context: The cottages are built of wonderful honeytoned stone, and the whole village exudes an aura
of charm and relaxed timelessness.
 What
does it mean
 What gives it away?

Definition: a distinctive quality
2. Encourage

Context: Squeaky can’t believe that schools
encourage things like the Hansel and Gretel
pageant when there are better things students can
do.
 What
does it mean?
 What gives it away?

Definition: to inspire with confidence
3. Glockenspiels

Context: The band members play glockenspiels,
drums, and flutes.
 What
does it mean?
 What gives it away?

Definition: a musical instrument composed of a
set of graduated steel bars mounted in a frame
and struck with hammers, used especially in bands.
4. Grateful

Context: Squeaky thinks people just aren’t grateful,
or thankful, to each other.
 What
does it mean?
 What gives it away?

Definition: thankful
5. Infuse

Context: When Mrs. Flowers read aloud, she could
infuse the words with great meaning.
 What
does it mean?
 What gives it away?

Definition: fill
6. Illiteracy

Context: Mrs. Flowers said we should be
understanding of illiteracy because many slaves
were not taught how to read or write.
 What
does it mean?
 What gives it away?

Definition: inability to read or write
7. Intolerant

Context: Mrs. Flowers was intolerant of rudeness
and ignorance; she simply ignored those kinds of
people.
 What
does it mean?
 What gives it away?

Definition: unwilling to accept something
8. Liable

Context: Raymond is liable to fits of fantasy being
that he is always in a world of his own.
 What
does it mean?
 What gives it away?

Definition: susceptible
9. Organdy

Context: Squeaky won’t wear an organdy dress for
May Pole dancing because the fabric is too puffy.
 What
does it mean?
 What gives it away?

Definition: a fine, thin cotton fabric usually having a
durable crisp finish, white, dyed, or printed: used
for blouses, dresses, curtains, trimmings, etc.
10. Prodigy

Context: Cynthia Procter acts as if she’s a prodigy
or genius.
 What
does it mean?
 What gives it away?

Definition: genius
11. Psyching

Context: Raphael Perez wins races by psyching the
runners, or shaking their confidence.
 What
does it mean?
 What gives it away?

Definition: shaking someone’s confidence
12. Sidekick

Context: Mary Louise is a sidekick of Gretchen
because the two are always together.
 What
does it mean?
 What gives it away?

Definition: partner
13. Standstill

Context: Raymond brings his imaginary mule team
to a standstill, or halt.
 What
does it mean?
 What gives it away?

Definition: halt or stop
14. Static

Context: Static interferes with the voice on the
loudspeaker making it hard to hear.
 What
does it mean?
 What gives it away?

Definition: noise that interferes
15. Subject

Context: Some people are subject, or likely, to
make fun of Raymond.
 What
does it mean?
 What gives it away?

Definition: likely
16. Taut

Context: Though she was thin, Mrs. Flowers skin was
not taut because she had wrinkles everywhere.
 What
does it mean?
 What gives it away?

Definition: tightly stretched
17. Uptight

Context: When they walk down the street,
Squeaky’s antics make her mother uptight and
uncomfortable.
 What
does it mean?
 What gives it away?

Definition: tense or angry