English 10 / Unit 11: Vocabulary: Roots, Context and Connotation
11.3 Context Clues
Notes
Context clues are hints in nearby words and sentences that reveal a word's meaning.
- Definition: the meaning is stated. The play's denouement, or final resolution, was satisfying.
- Synonym: a similar word appears nearby. He was garrulous, as talkative as a parrot.
- Antonym or contrast: signal words like but, however, unlike show an opposite. Unlike her gregarious sister, Ana was shy.
- Example: Arachnids, such as spiders and scorpions, have eight legs.
- Inference: the overall situation suggests the meaning.
Practice
"Unlike his frugal brother, who saved every coin, Leo spent money as fast as he earned it." "Frugal" most likely means:
The contrast with Leo's spending and "saved every coin" show frugal means thrifty.
"The museum displays many artifacts, such as clay pots, arrowheads and ancient coins." Which type of context clue helps define "artifacts"?
"Such as" introduces examples of artifacts.
"Her remarks were laconic; she answered every question in three words or fewer." "Laconic" means:
The clue after the semicolon describes extremely brief speech.
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