Lesson 4 Objectives:

1. Given a short (paragraph) text, define the unknown word (Bolded) using the context clues found in the passage with 80% accuracy.

2. Given a list of sentences with commonly unknown words, identify (underline) the context clue and match the context clue to the correct type of context clue (given in a list) with 80% accuracy.

3. Given two sentences, the original with the unknown word and another sentence with a replacement word, identify (sort) the sentences where the replacement word is correct and incorrect with 80% accuracy.

Making Inferences About Word Meaning:

The last step of using context clues to understand the meaning of words is to make an inference. Making an inference about word meaning follows a formula:

context clues + background knowledge= a conclusion (definition or synonym for the unknown word)

Practice making general inferences: while watching the movie below, answer the questions asked using context clues (what you see) and your background knowledge to figure out what is going on in the movie.

How do you use the same skills to find the meaning of words?

1. Look for context clues (words around the words--remember to think about the type of context clue so you make the right conclusion). I often underline my context clues.

2. Think about the situation and look for signal words (remember to think about your background knowledge).

3. Think about what the context clues and your background knowledge tell you, and make a conclusion finding a synonym.

4. Replace the unknown word with the inferred synonym from step 3 to check to see if it makes sense

Example: look at this example from before:

definition example.jpg

In this example we see the context clue is an actual definition of the word, the background knowledge needed is that when an author says something like refers to it means they are going to explain or define the word. I can come to a conclusion that a synonym is the outermost part of the sun's atmosphere.

Let's try another one (this one is easier).

In this example, the context clues are rain, snow, sleet and hail. My background knowledge is two things: 1. rain, snow, sleet, and hail are examples of moisture falling and 2. including is a signal word that tells me examples are going to be listed. I come to the conclusion that falling moisture is a synonym to the word precipitation.

LETS TRY IT OUT!

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