Which of the following describes context clues?
A. a conclusion about ideas that is not stated directly in a text
B. hints that point to the meaning of a word
C. the fats and information that support an idea or analysis
D a statement about what the reader thinks will happen in a text
B. hints that point to the meaning of a word
Benjamin made an awful face when he sniffed the milk in the jug. “This is definitely expired!” he exclaimed.
Which of the following describes the meaning of expired as it is used in this sentence?
A. of a high quality
B. past the date of being safe to drink
C. costing a lot of money
D. difficult to replace
B. past the date of being safe to drink
Opals come in a variety of colors, and they range from opaque to transparent. The most desirable opals are known as the precious opals. They have a special iridescent quality. As you move the opal under light, it shows a spectrum of colors.
Which words provide the best context clues for the meaning of iridescent?
A. "opaque, quality, desirable"
B. " variety, light, spectrum of colors"
C. " opals, special, precious"
D. " transparent, variety, opals"
B. "variety, light, spectrum of colors"
My brothers and I had not eaten since breakfast, almost five hours ago, and were famished by the time we arrived at the restaurant.
Which phrase in this sentence provides the best clue to the meaning of famished as it is used in this sentence?
A. My brothers and I
B. arrived at the restaurant
C. by the time
D. had not eaten since breakfast
D. had not eaten since breakfast
They'd also been talking about the injustices they experienced daily, like not being able to eat at a lunch counter.
Which part of the sentence best points to the correct definition of injustices in the sentence?
A. " they'd also been talking"
B. "like not being able to eat at a lunch counter"
C. " they experienced daily"
D. " eat at a lunch counter"
C. "they experienced daily"
The correct answer to the question is B. Context clues are hints or information found within a text that can help readers understand the meaning of a word or phrase. To identify context clues, there are a few strategies you can use:
1. Look for definitions: Sometimes, the meaning of a word is explicitly defined within the same sentence or paragraph. Words like "which means," "in other words," or "is defined as" are often indicators of a definition.
2. Pay attention to synonyms and antonyms: In some cases, the author may provide a similar or opposite word to help the reader understand the meaning. For example, "She was ecstatic, filled with joy and excitement."
3. Examine surrounding words or phrases: By considering the words or phrases that surround the unfamiliar word, you can often infer its meaning. For instance, "The ornate, intricate design of the building showcased the architect's attention to detail."
4. Use context knowledge: Utilize your own background knowledge and common sense to make educated guesses about the meaning of a word based on the information provided in the text.
By employing these strategies and analyzing the text, you can identify context clues that lead you to the correct meaning of unfamiliar words.