Transcript Context Clues A most important skill to master!

Context Clues
A most important
skill to master!
The 6 types of Clues
PAGERS= Mnemonics (Memory)
Device
P=punctuation
A=antonym
G=general sense
E=example and definition
R=roots, prefixes and
suffixes
S=synonym
Context= the words
surrounding the
unknown (unfamiliar)
word or phrase in the
reading selection.
Use the Context to
help explain
the meaning of the
word!
The runner didn’t like
the frigid weather as
he was not wearing a
coat, scarf or gloves!
Frigid?
The words surrounding an
unknown word or phrase will
give you clues to the
meaning of the unknown
word or phrase.
Use those clues!
The police searched his house
and found an arsenal of
weapons including two rifles, a
handgun, grenades and plastic
explosives.
Arsenal?
The stench of the
dead fish was so
bad we had to hold
our noses!
Stench?
The king had reigned over his
kingdom for twenty five years.
Reigned?
The proprietor
of the wagon
told us he had
bought the
business a
year ago.
Proprietor?
Roland was so miserly that he
refused to give his sons spending
money. Also, to save electricity,
he insisted they study by the light
of one lamp. Miserly?
Cheap,
Thrifty,
Frugal,
Stingy!
Eluded?
The thief had eluded
the police by hiding in
the grave yard. They
could not find him!
There are 6 types of
Context Clues:
Punctuation
Antonyms
General Sense of the Passage
Example and Definition
Roots, prefixes and suffixes
Synonyms
Nuptials (weddings) vary
from culture to culture.
Nuptials ??
Punctuation
Parenthesis: The lair, ( habitat), of
the wolf was underground.
Comma, or________, He was
bloviating, or lecturing,
That is, ____ She was ready, that
is, prepared for the test.
Dashes – She was superflous –
unnecessary to him.
Punctuation
Watch for authors to use
punctuation to give you
the meaning of the word!
Jack was a mediocre, or average,
student in all of his subjects. He
never did more than what was
required. Mediocre?
Notice the , or , pattern?
Mario was apprehensive, or
fearful, of the upcoming test.
Apprehensive?
(, or ,)
It is hard to believe that my
millionaire cousin was once
indigent, that is, so poor he
lived on the streets.
Indigent?
, that
is, poor
Clues:
, or ,
, that is ,
parenthesis
dashes
I had to delete a lot of information
from my report on zoos because it
was longer than my teacher
wanted it to be.
Delete?
Get rid of…..
Remove…...
Erase…..
2. Antonyms
An Antonym is a word
that means the opposite of
another word.
Antonyms
Antonyms are often
signaled by words such as
however, but, yet, on the
other hand, and
in contrast.
Religions in
America are
not static;
Antonym
Static?
but
changing,
especially in
this period of
shifting
values.
Changing
Antonym
In formal
communication,
be sure to avoid
obscure language.
Clear language
prevents
misinterpretation.
Obscure?
Clear!
While
houses and
antiques
often
increase in
value, most
things such
as cars and
TV’s
depreciate.
Increase
in Value?
Depreciate
3. Example and
definition
Examples help
suggest the
meaning of an
unknown word
or definition.
Example
The adverse effects of this
drug, including dizziness,
nausea, and headaches, have
caused it to be withdrawn
from the market.
Adverse?
Harmful or Bad
Crustaceans Examples
, such as
Crustaceans?
shrimp and
Crusty
lobsters,
shelled
are often
seafood.
eaten in the
east.
In biology, we
discussed
such
anomalies as
creatures with
two heads, or
webbed toes.
Examples
Anomalies?
Two heads,
Webbed toes
strange, or
unusual
things.
Examples
Since my grandfather
retired, he has developed
several new avocations.
For instance, he now
enjoys gardening and longdistance bike riding.
Examples
A=outside of
Voc=calling
Avocation=Hobbies done
outside of your calling or
work.
Examples=bike riding
and gardening are hobbies.
General Sense of the Passage
Common sense tells you the
meaning of the unknown
word or phrase.
You figure it out!
General Sense of the Passage
Michael didn’t want to tell
Shankika the entire plot of
the movie, so he just gave
her the gist of the story.
Gist?
Main idea
General Sense
Keep your muddy boots
off the sofa or you will
sully it.
Sully?
Make dirty or to
soil the sofa.
While Irma’s house is
decorated plainly, her
clothing is very flamboyant!
Flamboyant?
General Sense
Despite complaints from
parents, educators, and
government officials,
violence and sex on
television goes on
unabated.
Unabated?
Not stopping
Unable to be
stopped
Not changing
Today was a day of turmoil at work-the
phones were constantly ringing, people
were running back and forth, and several
offices were being painted.
Turmoil?
Synonym =
A synonym is a word
that means the same or
almost the same as the
unknown word.
All four individuals in the
quartet wore red jackets!
Synonym?
The doctor
assuaged the
patient with
medicine to
soothe the pain
and she rested
quietly.
Synonym
Assuage?
Soothe!
Speaking in
front of a class
disconcerts
Juan. Even
answering
questions
embarrasses
him.
Synonym
Disconcerts?
Embarrasses!
The earthquake
was a calamity!
It created huge
difficulties and
distress for the
victims!
Synonym
Calamity?
Huge
distress!
Synonyms can
be swapped for
the word they
explain.
Managers should be careful not
to have opponents work together;
adversaries often do not
cooperate well.
Managers should be careful not
to have adversaries work
together; opponents often do
not cooperate well.
What if there are no context
clues?
Keep reading!
Guess at the meaning!
Use a dictionary!
Questions?
Let’s
practice!
–
For men only:
–
There are
several gambits used to
meet women, such as
“What sign are you?” or
“How do you like this
place?” and “You
remind me of
someone.” Gambits?
Gambits?
Conversation
starters….. Pick up
lines…..
For women:
While his physique is not
important, his income is!
I do not care if his body is
well muscled as long as he
brings home a good check
each week.
Physique?
Well built body,
muscled body,
Physical
appearance
Many people have a fear of
the number 13, or
triskaidekaphobia. How did
the trepidation come about
over this number?
Triskaidekaphobia?
Trepidation?
Pinnace?
The Sailors unloaded the
pinnace from its hinges and
lowered it into the water.
They were afraid to go into
the ocean in the pinnace but
the captain forced them into
it.
They climbed down into the
pinnace and started to row
away from the ship. They
knew the whale out there
waiting for them would swallow
the small boat and themselves
in one gulp.
Pinnace?
Small boat