📖 ReadingGrade 4Lesson 6
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Use Context Clues Effectively
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Learning Objectives
- 1Use context clues to work out the meaning of an unfamiliar word in a passage
- 2Identify the type of context clue used in a sentence
- 3Apply a four-step strategy for decoding unknown words while reading
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Mini Lesson
Skilled readers use context clues to work out the meaning of unfamiliar words without stopping to look them up. At Grade 4, you should be able to identify the type of clue AND explain how it helped you.
Four Types of Context Clues
- Definition clue — the text explains the word directly. "A nocturnal animal, one that is active at night, hunted in the darkness."
- Synonym clue — a nearby word with a similar meaning. "The child was melancholy, or sad, for most of the rainy day."
- Antonym (contrast) clue — an opposite is given. "Unlike the turbulent river, the lake was perfectly calm."
- Inference clue — you use the overall meaning to make a reasonable guess. "The hikers were parched after eight hours without water."
The Four-Step Strategy
- Stop at the unknown word and read the sentence in full.
- Look for a definition, synonym, antonym, or inference clue.
- Use the clue to form a meaning guess.
- Reread the sentence with your guess to check it fits.
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At Grade 4, be specific: don't just say "I used context." Name the type of clue — "I used a contrast clue because the sentence used 'unlike'."
Vocabulary
context clue
Information in nearby words or sentences that helps explain an unknown word.e.g. "Tom was famished, so he ate two sandwiches" — "ate two sandwiches" hints "famished" means very hungry.
definition clue
A clue where the meaning is given right in the sentence.e.g. "Photosynthesis, the way plants make food, happens in leaves."
synonym clue
A clue that uses a word with a similar meaning.e.g. "He was furious, very angry, when he saw the mess."
antonym clue
A clue that uses a word with the opposite meaning.e.g. "Unlike his cheerful sister, Jay was glum."
example clue
A clue that gives examples of the unknown word.e.g. "Citrus fruits, such as lemons and oranges, are sour."
infer
To work out a meaning using clues and reasoning.e.g. From the cold breeze you can infer the window is open.
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