Strong readers think critically when they find an unknown word or a word with several meanings. They ______________________ all the
possible definitions of the word and consider the context in which it was used to determine the most appropriate meaning. Additionally, strong readers may also use context clues, such as surrounding words or phrases, to further narrow down the possible meanings of the word.
possible meanings of the word before choosing the one that makes the most sense in the given context.
To determine the meaning of an unknown word or a word with several meanings, strong readers utilize various strategies:
1. Context clues: They examine the surrounding words or sentences to identify clues that provide hints about the word's meaning. These clues could include synonyms, antonyms, examples, explanations, or descriptive language.
2. Word structure: They analyze the word's prefixes, suffixes, or root words to gain insights into its meaning. By breaking down the word into its smaller components, they can often infer the general sense of the word.
3. Prior knowledge: They draw upon their existing knowledge and experiences to make educated guesses about the word's meaning. By relating the word to familiar concepts or similar words, they can make informed assumptions.
4. Looking it up: If all else fails, strong readers may resort to using a dictionary, glossary, or other reliable reference materials to find the exact definition of the word. This is especially useful when encountering highly technical or specialized vocabulary.
By considering and combining these strategies, strong readers thoroughly explore all possible meanings of a word before settling on the interpretation that best aligns with the given context. This critical thinking process enhances their comprehension skills and ensures a deeper understanding of the text.