🔍 What are Context Clues?
Context clues are hints within a sentence or paragraph that help you understand the meaning of unfamiliar words. They're your detective tools for vocabulary!
🎯 Why Use Context Clues?
- Understand words without stopping to use a dictionary
- Build vocabulary naturally while reading
- Improve reading comprehension and speed
- Develop critical thinking skills
📝 How to Apply Context Clue Strategy:
Don't stop at the unknown word - read the complete thought
Words like: such as, for example, including, means, or, but, however
Connect what you already know about the topic
Substitute your guess and see if it makes sense
Example 1: Definition Context
"Many families struggle with poverty, which means they lack the money needed for basic necessities like food and shelter."
The phrase "which means" signals a definition. "Basic necessities" helps explain what poverty affects.
Example 2: Example Context
"She wanted to provide for her family by giving them food, shelter, and education."
The examples "food, shelter, and education" show what "provide" means - to supply or give.
Example 3: Contrast Context
"Unlike his anxious friends, Jake felt secure about the test because he had studied thoroughly."
"Unlike anxious" creates contrast. "Studied thoroughly" suggests confidence, so "secure" means safe/confident.
🧩 What is Word Formation Analysis?
Word formation analysis breaks words into parts (prefixes, roots, suffixes) to understand meaning. It's like solving a puzzle where each piece gives you a clue!
🎯 Why Use Word Formation?
- Understand hundreds of words by learning common parts
- Make educated guesses about unfamiliar words
- Remember word meanings more easily
- Build academic vocabulary systematically
📝 How to Apply Word Formation Strategy:
Find the main part that carries the core meaning
Parts added to the beginning that modify meaning
Parts added to the end that often change word type
Put the parts together to understand the whole word
Example 1: Financial
Root: "finance" (money matters) + Suffix: "-ial" (relating to) = relating to money
Example 2: Volunteer
Root: "volunt" (will/choice) + Suffix: "-eer" (one who does) = one who chooses to help
Example 3: Community
Root: "commun" (common/shared) + Suffix: "-ity" (state of) = state of being shared/together
Example 4: Long-term
Two roots combined: "long" (extended time) + "term" (period) = extended time period
🎯 Strategy Practice
Apply your vocabulary strategies to decode these words!
Question 1: Context Clues Strategy
"Everyone should have equal access to education, meaning all people can enter schools regardless of their background."
Using context clues, what does "access" mean?
Question 2: Word Formation Strategy
Break down the word "grateful":
What does this word mean?
Question 3: Combined Strategy
"People need emotional support from friends and family to maintain their well-being during difficult times."
Using both context and word parts, what does "well-being" mean?
Question 4: Context Strategy
"The new policy will help people socialize more by creating community centers where neighbors can meet, talk, and build friendships."
What does "socialize" mean based on context?