Context Clues. A Unicorn

Transcription

1 1 1. Definition/Explanation Clues Sometimes a word s or phrase s meaning is explained immediately following its use. Examples: Faithful Henry was filled with anxiety, a feeling of worry and fear. Anxiety means Etymology, which is the study of the origin of words, finds many teachers taking the bull by its horns when unraveling the mysteries of vocabulary studies. Etemology means A Unicorn A unicorn is a mythological animal. Mythological means made-up, or imaginary. A unicorn is always white and looks like a small horse with a horn protruding, or sticking out or, the center of its forehead. It was considered good luck to see a unicorn. 1. What is a unicorn? 2. What does mythological mean? 3. What is another word for imaginary? 4. What does protruding mean?

2 2 2. Restatement/Synonym Clues Sometimes a challenging word or phrase is clarified in simpler language. Examples: The man felt uneasy, or uncomfortable, when he saw his wife so unhappy. Uneasy means Challenging: Lou felt as though she had been sent to the doghouse when Louisa admonished her for fighting in school. Admonished means The Jobs of the Different Parts of a Canopy Tree The job of the crown, or umbrella of leaves, of each canopy tree is to grab as much sunlight as it possibly can. The canopy of a rain forest grabs so much sunlight that it absorbs 98% of the sunlight that shines on the forest. The leaves of each tree also have another important job to perform. Photosynthesis occurs in the leaves. This process in which sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide are converted, or changed, into food for the plant. 1. What does the word crown mean? 2. What does converted mean?

3 3 3. Contrast/Antonym Clues Sometimes a word or phrase is clarified by the presentation of the opposite meaning somewhere close to its use. Look for signal words when applying context clues. Example: Susan thought the test would be challenging, but because she studied, it was a breeze. Challenging means Lou thought that her mother s recovery was futile, but Oz remained faithful to the course of his mother s restored health. Futile means Student Practice Directions: Read the sentences below. Fill in the oval next to the word that means the same as the bolded word. 1. Although Tom was anxious about the test, Tina was not worried at all. Using the antonym clue, the word anxious in this sentence means 0 forgetful 0 worried 0 calm 0 not worried 2. Two new girls started school this week. Beth has a gregarious personality. Jenna is rather quiet. Using the antonym clue, the word gregarious in this sentence means 0 shy 0 bashful 0 timid 0 outgoing 3. If you don't conquer your fears, they will beat you. Using the antonym clue, the word conquer in this senten ce means 0 lose 0 win 0 talk about 0 forget 4. While Lily was careful not to be seen as she peeked out the window, Phil was not as cautious and was seen! Using the antonym clue, the word cautious in this sentence means 0 careful 0 not careful 0 risky 0 trouble

4 4 4. Inference/General Sometimes a word or phrase is not immediately clarified within the same sentence. Relationships, which are not directly apparent, are inferred or implied. The reader must look for clues within, before, and after the sentence in which the word is used. Example: Bob tried to stump Eric with the new magic trick he had learned from his uncle. Stump Means Dementia almost overcame Lou when she stepped off the train at Rainwater Ridge and felt as dizzy as a betsy bug as she realize how different her new life would be. Dementia Means Directions: Highlight the words that give you clues about what the bolded word means. The river was full of noxious materials such as cleaning agents from factories and pesticides from the nearby farms. This third grade was full of precocious children. One child had learned to read at two and another could do algebra at age 6. When going to an office party you should show your best decorum, for example, dress your best, drink and eat moderately, and be sure to thank the host before you leave.

5 5 5. Word Parts Words can also be disected. Meaning that a word can be broken down into little parts to find the meaning. The reader looks at the word s affixes and roots to discover its meaning. Easy: The student was disrespectful to the teacher. If dis means the opposite of, And ful means ful of How did the student treat the teacher? Difficult: The girl, who suffered from acrophobia, would not ride the rollarcoaster. If acro means hieght, And phobia means fear, What is the girl afraid of? Directions: Using the charts on pages 8-10 in the Buckle Down Oklahoma workbook, write a definiton for the following words: 1. imperfect 2. forehead 3. microscope 4. biology 5. zoology