1. Guide to College Reading, 8/e Kathleen T. McWhorter
Chapter 2
Using Context Clues
PowerPoint by Gretchen Starks-Martin
St. Cloud State University, MN
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

2. THIS CHAPTER WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO:
Figure out the meaning of words from their use in a sentence
Use five types of context clues
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

3. WHAT IS CONTEXT?
Most Americans can speak only one_____. Europeans, however, _____ several. As a result, Europeans think _____ are unfriendly and unwilling to communicate with them.
Phobias, such as fear of heights, water, or confined spaces, are difficult to eliminate.
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4. TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES DEFINITION SYNONYM EXAMPLE CONTRAST INFERENCE
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5. Definition Clues Definition = a brief definition or a synonym.
Example: Corona refers to the outermost part of the sun’s atmosphere.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

6. Synonym Clues
Synonym clues—a word or brief phrase that is close in meaning.
Example: Mia Hamm’s superior ability and prowess on the soccer field have inspired many girls to become athletes.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

7. Example Clues
Example clues—specific instances or examples that clarify a word’s meaning.
Example: Forest floors are frequently covered with fungi---molds, mushrooms, and mildews.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

8. Contrast Clues A word or phrase that has an opposite meaning.
Example: One of the dinner guests
succumbed to the temptation to
have a second piece of cake, but
the others resisted.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

9. Inference Clues
Inference Clues - the use of reasoning skills to figure out word meanings.
Example: Bob is quite versatile; he is a good student, a top athlete, an excellent car mechanic, and a
gourmet cook.
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10. THE LIMITATIONS OF CONTEXT CLUES
Context clues seldom lead to a complete definition.
Sometimes a sentence does not contain clues to a word’s meaning.
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11. LEARNING STYLE TIPS Auditory learner: Reading the context aloud
Visual learner: Visualizing the context
Are you an auditory learner or a visual learner?
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12. SELF-TEST SUMMARY What are context clues used for?
What are the five types of context clues?
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

13. Visit the Companion Website
For additional readings, exercises, and Internet Activities, visit this book’s Companion Website.
If you need a user name and password, see your instructor.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

14. My Reading Lab
For more practice on concentration, visit MyReadingLab, click on the Reading Skills tab, and then click on Vocabulary—The Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers

15. TEST-TAKING TIPS: Using Context
If you are being asked the meaning of a particular word, there is probably a way to figure it out.
Read beyond the word in question to find a clue to its meaning.
When you are unsure about your answer in a multiple choice question about the meaning of a word, first try to eliminate one or more choices. Then substitute the choice(s) you are considering for the unknown word in the sentence. Choose the choice that makes the most sense and seems to fit.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers