Focus on Vocabulary: Use Context Clues
When you read, you may come across words you don’t know. In many cases, the meaning of an unknown word will become obvious if you use context clues to figure it out. Common types of context clues include definition, restatement, and examples. Signal words can help you find the clues.
| Type of Clue | How It Works | Signal Words | Example Sentences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition or Restatement | The context tells the definition of the word or restates the meaning using other words. | called, which is, or, in other words | The rocket that lifts the shuttle toward space is called a booster rocket. The circumference of, or distance around, Earth is about 25,000 miles. |
| Examples | The unknown word may be listed as an example of something familiar. Or, you may find familiar examples of the unknown word. | for example, like, such as, including | Why are rocks interesting? Gases such as hydrogen are plentiful in the universe. Oxygen and iron are examples of chemical elements found in the universe. |
How the Strategy Works
Use context clues to help make the meaning of new words obvious.
1. Use the topic of your reading to narrow down possible meanings for the unfamiliar word.
2. Reread the sentence where the word appears. Look for signal words that point to a definition, a restatement, or an example.
3. Use the sentences around the word to help figure out its meaning.
Use the strategy to figure out the meaning of moderate.
Strategy in Action
“ This paragraph describes the weather as ‘neither too hot nor too cold.’ It restates this as ‘middle temperatures.’”
REMEMBER You can use the context of a passage to figure out the meanings of new or unfamiliar words.