Context Clues

Comparison, contrast, definition/restatement, example,

cause/effect
How to find comparison clues
Identify the unfamiliar word
Look for a signal word
Identify what two things are being compared
Use this information to figure out what the word means


Comparison Signal Words
Like
Also
Similar to
Likewise
In the same way
As
Compared with
EXAMPLE---The president vetoed the new law in
the same way he had rejected the other bills sent
to him






How to find contrast clues
Identify unfamiliar words
Look for signal word
Identify two things that are being contrasted
Use this information to figure out what the words mean
Contrast signal words
But
Rather than
However
Unlike
On the other hand
Yet
conversely
EXAMPLE---Unlike the former king,
who did nothing to improve his
country, King Richard tried to rectify
bad conditions.





How to find
definition/restatement clues
Identify the unfamiliar word
Look for punctuation that might set off a definition after
the unknown word
Read to see if there is a word that signals that a
definition may follow.
Find the definition or restated information
Read this word/phrase carefully to figure out the
meaning of the unknown word.
Definition or Restatement
signal words
Or
Also called
Which is
Also known as
That is
In other words
EXAMPLE---The general implored, or
begged, his soldiers to keep fighting and
not retreat.



How to example context clues
Identify unfamiliar word
Read to see if there is a word that signals that
examples may follow
Find the example or examples
Ask yourself what the examples have in common and
how they relate to the unknown word
Use this information to figure out what the word means.
Example signal words
like, including
These, especially
For instance
For example
This
Other
Such as
EXAMPLE--The new mayor tried to
provide every type of amenity for the
people in the new city, including new
shops, movie theaters, libraries, and a
new park and swimming pool.






How to find cause/effect
context clues
Identify unfamiliar word
Read to see if there are any signal words that show
cause and effect
Decide if the unknown word is in the cause part of the
sentence or in the effect part
Use this information to figure out what the word means
Cause/Effect signal words
Because, for this reason
So, since
Therefore, whenever
As a result, hence
It follows that
And then
consequently
EXAMPLE---The guillotine had a
sharp, heavy blade that fell on the
captives neck; as a result, the
head was severed from the body.