Focus on Vocabulary: Use Context Clues for Multiple-Meaning Words
Some words are spelled the same but have different meanings. A dictionary lists the different definitions. If you aren’t sure which meaning of a word fits in a sentence, try looking at the context.
Suppose you are reading a passage about dogs, and you see:
Some dogs have a loud bark that can really scare you.
Since you’re reading about dogs, you know that the word bark means the noise a dog makes. But suppose you read this sentence:
The woodpecker tapped on the thick bark of a tall tree.
Here the word bark must mean something else. You can use the context to figure out its meaning. The words woodpecker tapped and tall tree help you know that bark means the outer covering of a tree.
How the Strategy Works
When you read, you may come to a word that does not make sense to you. You may know one meaning of that word but not other meanings. Look for context clues to help you figure it out. Follow these steps:
1. Think about what the sentence is about.
2. Look at the other words in the sentence.
3. Read the sentences nearby to find more clues, or hints.
4. Use the clues to think of a meaning that makes sense.
Use the strategy to figure out the meaning of each underlined word.
Strategy in Action
“The paragraph is about moving to a new country. The word homeland gives me a clue that left means ‘went away.’”
REMEMBER You can use context clues to figure out the meanings of multiple-meaning words.