Context Clues

•determine the types of context clues,

•use context clues to discover the
meaning of unfamiliar terms

• EN9V-Ig(h&i)-12.3: Note types of context clue

(restatement, definition, synonyms, antonyms)
used for a given word or expression. (Vocabulary
Development)
Read the sentence and identify the meaning
of the underlined word.

“Anthropology refers to the study of

various aspects of human within past and
present societies.”
- are hints and additional information the
writers purposely or not purposely
provided in the text
- can be explicit or implicit words or
phrases in the text that give you an idea
what the difficult vocabulary or word
mean
- can be on the same sentence or
somewhere else in the text
- There are different types of context
clues that can help you in understanding
different vocabularies, words, terms or
concepts.
A. Definition/Explanation Clues
- One way to know the meaning of an
unfamiliar word is to look for its
explanation in the sentence and it is
sometimes explained immediately after
its use.
- Signal words: which is, which means,
refers to, or known as
Example:
“Haberdashery, which is a store that
sells men’s clothing, is becoming
more common today.”
B. Restatement/Synonym Clues
- Another way to know the meaning of an
unknown word or phrase is said in a
simple way or by providing words with
similar meaning.
Signal words: or, that is, or in other
words
Example:
"Lou was sent to the haberdashery
to find a new suit. He needed to wear
one for his uncle’s wedding."
“Lou was looking for a new suit so he
went to the haberdashery or a place
where clothes for men are sold.
C. Contrast/Antonym Clues
- Some unknown words or phrases are
clarified by presenting the opposite
meaning somewhere close to its use.
- Signal words: but, however, on the
other hand, while, unlike, on the
contrary, or while
Example:
“Lou wanted to go to the haberdashery,
but Ann wanted to shop at the boutique.”
D. Inference/General Context Clues
- There are words or phrases in a sentence
that not immediately clarified within the
same sentence. Sometimes, the meaning
are inferred or implied and you have to
look for clues within, before and/or after
the sentence which the word is used.
Example:
“The haberdashery is Lou’s favorite
place. He loves shopping fine suits and
men’s accessories. The people who
works there are also kind to him.”
E. Punctuation
- Readers can also use clues of punctuation
and type style to infer meaning such as:
oquotation marks (showing the word has a
special meaning)
▪Example: Tom’s father was a
haberdasher, “owner of a clothing store
for men".
odashes
▪Example: In the story, Tom’s father was a
haberdasher – or men’s shop keeper.
oparentheses or brackets (enclosing
definition)
▪Example: Tom’s father was a haberdasher
(men’s shop keeper) in the story.
o italics (showing the word will be defined)
▪Example: Tom's father was a haberdasher,
or men’s shop keeper, in the story.
TASK 21: Context Clues
“Practice makes consistency.”
Underline the context clue used in each
sentence and identify its type to know
the meaning of the unfamiliar word.
Example:
Kyle uses a terbutaline which is an inhaler
in the management of asthma symptoms.
Answer:
Kyle uses a terbutaline which is an inhaler
in the management of asthma symptoms.
Type of Context Clue:
Definition/Explanation
 TASK 21: Context Clues

1.The barangay captain serves as the

arbitrator, a neutral person chosen to
settle a dispute.
Type of Context Clue:
DEFINITION/EXPLANATION
 TASK 21: Context Clues

2. Your backpack is cumbersome unlike

the easy-to-carry bag that your sister
always use.
Type of Context Clue:
CONTRAST/ANTONYM
 TASK 21: Context Clues

3. Jingmei’s mother wants her to

become a piano virtuoso, or a person
who is highly skilled in playing piano.
Type of Context Clue: __________
 TASK 21: Context Clues

4. He invested on things that are

ephemeral or lasting for a short time
only.
Type of Context Clue:
RESTATEMENT/SYNONYM
 TASK 21: Context Clues

5. Theo got befuddled when the locals

gave him two different directions to get
to his hotel.
Type of Context Clue:
INFERENCE/GENERAL CONTEXT