Types of Context Clues

Definition or Example: the definition is given in the sentence OR a specific example is used to define the term

EX: Haberdashery, which is a store that sells men’s clothing, is becoming more common today.

Restatement or Synonym: a word with the same meaning is used in the

(also called comparison) sentence along with the unfamiliar word; the word is restated

EX: Brady had been to a haberdashery once before, when he visited the men’s section of J.C. Penny to find a suit for graduation.

Antonym (also called contrast): a word with the opposite meaning allows the reader to figure out the unknown word

EX: Damian’s mother wanted him to shop at the haberdasher, but he would rather go to a thrift store.

Description or Explanation: the unfamiliar word has a description or explanation with it in the sentence or paragraph – the reader must infer meaning

EX: The haberdashery is my father’s favorite place. He loves to shop for nice suits.

Now try to identify which type of clue is used in each of the following sentences.

1. The girl who used to be very vociferous doesn’t talk much anymore.

2. Pedagogical institutions, including high schools, kindergartens and colleges, require community support to function properly.

3. He was so parsimonious that he refused to give his own sons the few pennies they needed to buy pencils. It truly hurt him to part with his money.

4. His pertinacity, or stubbornness, is the cause of most of his trouble.

5. Rather than be involved in clandestine meetings, they did everything quite openly.

6. Ecclesiastics, such as priests, ministers, and pastors, should set models of behavior for the congregants.

7. The girl was churlish – rude, sullen and absolutely ill-mannered.

8. Because the conflagration was aided by wind, it was so destructive that every building in the area was completely burned to the ground.

1.3.1 The student determines meanings of words or phrases using context clues (definitions, restatements, examples, descriptions, comparison-contrast, cause-effect, clue words) from sentences or paragraphs.