When you read, you often come to

words you don’t know. One way a reader

figures out the meaning of a new word
is by looking for…
CONTEXT CLUES!
Context is the setting in which the
word appears. The context for a
word can be…
 How can I figure out
unknown words?

What is the What part of What other

passage speech is the words in the
mostly word? sentence
about? give you
clues?
 What part of
speech is the I am going to
word?
sprinkle
What is What other words flowers on the
stage.
the in the sentence
sentence are clues?
about?

a. boil
b. pink
c. pound
d. scatter
scatter
 What part of
speech is the The crowd began
word?
applauding to
show they liked
What other words
What is
the in the sentence her performance.
sentence are clues?
about?
a. drawing
b. calling
c. clapping
clapping
d. actress
 What part of
speech is the The department
word?
store was
What is What other words advertising the
newest clothes
the in the sentence
sentence are clues?
about?
for fall.

a. showing
showing
b. playing
c. sending
d. sale
 What part of
speech is the The building will
word?
collapse if
What is What other words repairs aren’t
made soon!
the in the sentence
sentence are clues?
about?

a. pass
b. stairs
c. fall
fall
d. plow
 What part of
speech is the After lunch the
word?
class was drowsy
What is What other words and had trouble
paying attention.
the in the sentence
sentence are clues?
about?

a. sleepy
Sleepy
b. late
c. medical
d. hungry
 Let’s take a look at
specific types of context
clues.
 An example is given.

The company needs to increase its’

revenues.
revenues For example, it hopes to get
more money.
The word is explained.

Thomas found it hard to gauge,

gauge or try
to determine, the speed of the ball.
There are synonyms.
The fragile vase shattered because it
was delicate and frail.
There are antonyms.

When the teacher shouted in class

many idle students then became
busy.