Synonyms and Antonyms

"I'm excited to see ghosts! This tour will be so spooky!" "Let's look at the locations and see what mysterious things happened." Koko and Pip are reading about topics they are unfamiliar with and encountering some unknown words. They can determine the meaning of these words by using context cllues: synonyms and antonyms. Context clues help us figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words. Context clues are hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that help the reader with understanding new words. One type of context clue is when the author uses the word's synonym within the sentence, or in one of the following sentences. This helps us to determine the meaning by telling us that the unfamilar word is like something we already know. For example, in the sentence, "The tour itinerary follows the route of the Phantom River", we can determine the meaning of the word "itinerary" using the synonym, "route". An itinerary is a route taken during a trip. We can also use antonyms as context clues to help us define unfamiliar words. Antonyms tell us what it is not. In the sentence, "It is up to you to decide: are these tales lore or reality?" we can determine the meaning of "lore" based on the antonym, "reality". If "lore" means the opposite of real stories, then if something is "lore" it is a story based in legend. Let's read about the tour locations, and use context clues to determine the meanings of unfamilar words. Some claim to see a woman in a red party dress running along the river bank's bluff until she disappears into the fog on the hill. Which word is a synonym of bluff? Hill. What does hill tell us about the meaning of a bluff? A bluff is a steep hill overlooking the water. According to legend, a sailor fell overboard and vanished into the sea. Even today, it is reported that a hand can be seen attempting to lure people into the water, but this is a clear warning to stay away. Which phrase is an antonym of lure? Stay away. What does this tell us about the meaning of lure? Lure means to try to attract someone to something. Along the shoreline's perilous waters, many ships did not arrive safely in the harbour. On moonlit nights, shadowy ships can still be seen speeding towards impending doom as the approaching rocks loom. Which word is an antonym of perilous? Safely. What does this tell us about the meaning of perilous? Perilous means dangerous. Which word is a synonym of impending? Approaching. What does this tell us about the meaning of impending? Impending means that the danger is coming ahead. As the tour concludes, let's review. Remember, context clues are hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that help the reader with understanding new words. One type of context clue is when the author uses the word's synonym within the sentence or in one of the following sentences. Another type of context clue is when there is an antonym of the unfamiliar word that helps define the word by telling us what it is not. "Boy! That was a rip-off! We didn't even see a single ghost!"