Find the Meaning of Words using Context
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Basics on the topic Find the Meaning of Words using Context
Join Otis and Pearl and learn how context clues can help us when reading unfamiliar words.
Transcript Find the Meaning of Words using Context
"What are you reading, Otis?" "The graphic novel from our favourite TV programme!" "Oh cool, but what are those words you underlined?" "Those are the words I don't know, I just skip them." "Otis! You can't just skip words, they could be important." Let's help Otis find the meaning of words using context. Have you ever come across a word whilst reading that is unknown or you can't read? There are many strategies that you can use to work out what they are! One of those strategies is using context clues! What are context clues? Context clues are clues in the text that readers can use to find the meaning of words that are unfamiliar or they can't read. Let's help Otis by using context clues! The first sentence is ‘Sammy was, she didn't understand how to complete the puzzle.’ Otis doesn't know what this word is, and needs to use context clues to help. The first way to use context clues is by looking at the picture. Pictures give us clues about what is happening in the story! What do you see in this picture? You might notice that Sammy looks confused. Next, use what we saw in the picture and fill in the missing word. You can do this by re-reading to make sure that it makes sense. "Oh, it's confused! I thought it was careful since it started with a C, but this makes more sense." Can you help Otis with his next word? Otis doesn't know this word, and needs to use context clues to help. We can also use context clues by reading the sentence before and after. The sentence before is, ‘Sammy looked at her cards once more before making a choice.’ and the sentence after is 'she drew her ace card, grinning.' After reading those sentences, now we know that Sammy is confident in the card that she chose. What do you think the unfamiliar word is? It's 'certain'! Now, re-read the sentence to make sure it makes sense. Does it make sense? Yes! Let's help Otis one last time! His last sentence is 'she had, the final boss at last.' The final way to use context clues is by using both the picture and reading the sentence. What do you notice about this picture? Sammy is picking up a piece of gear and there are rays coming out of it. Now let's read the sentences before and after to get more information. The sentence before is ‘she stood proudly, one hand on her hip.' and the sentence after is ‘she walked over to collect her new gear and load the new powers.' Using the picture and the sentences, what is the missing word? The missing word is 'beat'! Before we see how Otis feels about these new words, let's review. Today we learnt about reading unknown words using 'context clues'. We learnt about three ways to use context clues, the first is using the picture to see if it gives any clues, the second is using the sentences before and after and the third is to use both the picture and the sentences before and after! Now, I wonder if these words change anything for Otis "Wait, she levelled up! I had no idea that she gained new powers at the end, this is amazing!"
Find the Meaning of Words using Context exercise
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Help Otis and Pearl find context clues.
HintsLook at the picture. Can you tell how the character feels? Is this a good way to look for context clues?
Everyone's imagination is different, but the meaning and pronunciation of words should be the same.
SolutionGood strategies to find context clues are:
- Looking at the picture for clues.
- Reading the sentences before and after an unknown word.
Using your imagination to make up a new word is not a good way to find context clues for the meaning of a word, because everyone's imagination is different, but the meaning of words should be the same.
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Help Otis find the meaning of the missing words.
HintsLook at the picture and the first letter of the word for clues.
Does Sammy's face look sleepy or confused?Look at the picture and the first letter of the word for clues.
What do you see around Sammy?
Does it begin with the letter k for kitten or the letter p for puzzle?There are two correct choices.
SolutionPutting these context clues together, we know the first missing word is CONFUSED.
- The first letter of the first mystery word is 'C'.
- Sammy's face does not look tired, but it does look confused, puzzled or quizzical.
- The first letter of the second mystery word is 'P'.
- We can see puzzle pieces floating around Sammy.
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Find the missing word.
HintsLook at the sentence after the missing word. If Sammy is grinning, how does she feel?
Look at the sentence before the missing word. Sammy has checked her cards a few times already. What does this tell you?
The context clues tell us Sammy is feeling sure about her choice. Which of the word choices has a similar meaning to sure?
SolutionWe can look at the sentences before and after the missing word to get context clues.
- The clue words, looked at her cards once more, would win and grinning shows us the missing word is certain.
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Find context clues to see what happened to Pearl.
HintsThe first word begins with the letter u and is how Pearl feels. Look at the picture, can you find any clues in Pearl's expression?
Look at the picture. Can you find any context clues about the weather? This will help you find the second word.
Remember the second word starts with the letter b.SolutionPearl was very upset! She had thought about ice cream all day, but in the end, the wind blew it away.
Context clues in the picture help us see Pearl is not happy, or upset. We can also see clues from the swirls that it is windy so the wind blew makes sense. -
Help Otis find context clues in a picture.
HintsWe know from the beginning of the sentence "Sammy was c_______" that the missing word will describe something ABOUT Sammy, like angry, hungry, lost or happy.
Will we find more information about how Sammy feels from her face or her arm?Does a picture of Otis give you any information about Sammy or her story?
What someone is saying or thinking is a great context clue! Is there anywhere you can find information about this?
There are two correct choices and two incorrect choices.
SolutionFrom these images we can get context clues which let us know how Sammy is feeling. Sammy looks puzzled, confused or quizzical.
Together with these clues and the first letter of the missing word, c, we can determine that the missing word is confused. -
Help Pearl find out what happened to Otis.
HintsRemember, you can look at the picture and read the sentences before and after to help find context clues.
Look at the sentence before the first missing word. It is about graphic novels. The missing word starts with the letter R. What could it be?
The second word begins with the letter u. Look at the picture, what has Otis been doing with words he doesn't know?
What has Otis done with words he does not know? It begins with the letter s.
SolutionOtis loves graphic novels, and his favorite is about Sammy Danger. Reading is not always easy, and Otis does not always know all of the words. Instead of using context clues, Otis has been underlining words he does not know and skipping them!
This is a problem because the words could be very important to the story! Otis should use context clues, so he can understand everything that is happening.
