Examples of context clues in sentences for 7th graders

📚 Quick Study Guide: Understanding Context Clues

• 🧐 What are Context Clues? These are hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that a reader can use to understand the meanings of new or unfamiliar words. They are like little detectives helping you solve word mysteries!
• ✨ Types of Context Clues: There are several common types:
  • ↔️ Synonym Clues: The text provides a word or phrase that means the same or nearly the same as the unfamiliar word. Look for words like 'or,' 'in other words,' 'also known as.'
  • 🔀 Antonym/Contrast Clues: The text provides a word or phrase that means the opposite of the unfamiliar word. Look for words like 'but,' 'however,' 'unlike,' 'instead of,' 'in contrast.'
  • 💡 Explanation/Definition Clues: The text directly explains or defines the unfamiliar word, often right after it. Punctuation like commas, dashes, or parentheses often signal these clues.
  • 📍 Example Clues: The text gives examples that help you understand the meaning of the unfamiliar word. Look for phrases like 'for example,' 'such as,' 'including.'
  • 🤔 Inference/General Sense Clues: You have to use your prior knowledge and the surrounding information in the text to make an educated guess about the word's meaning.
• ✅ Why are they Important? Using context clues helps you improve your vocabulary, read faster, and better understand what you're reading without stopping to look up every new word.
• 🔍 How to Use Them: Read the sentence carefully. Look at the words and phrases around the unfamiliar word. Do any of them offer a hint about its meaning? Try replacing the unfamiliar word with your guessed meaning to see if the sentence still makes sense.

📝 Practice Quiz: Context Clues Challenge

Read each sentence and choose the best answer.

1. The ancient artifact was fragile, meaning it was easily broken when handled roughly.
   What does fragile mean?
   1. Strong
   2. Expensive
   3. Easily broken
   4. Beautiful
2. Unlike his usually cheerful sister, Tom was melancholy after losing the soccer game.
   What does melancholy mean?
   1. Joyful
   2. Sleepy
   3. Sad
   4. Angry
3. The doctor prescribed an analgesic – a medicine that relieves pain – for her headache.
   What type of context clue is used to define analgesic?
   1. Synonym
   2. Antonym
   3. Explanation/Definition
   4. Example
4. The chef used various utensils, such as spatulas, whisks, and ladles, to prepare the meal.
   What does utensils mean?
   1. Ingredients
   2. Cooking tools
   3. Spices
   4. Recipes
5. After the long, strenuous hike, Sarah felt completely famished and devoured three sandwiches, a bag of chips, and two apples.
   What does famished most likely mean?
   1. Exhausted
   2. Thirsty
   3. Extremely hungry
   4. Full
6. The new student was quite gregarious; he loved talking to everyone and quickly made friends in the new class.
   What does gregarious mean?
   1. Shy
   2. Friendly and outgoing
   3. Quiet
   4. Intelligent
7. Instead of being gullible and believing every tall tale, Maria was skeptical and always questioned things.
   What does gullible mean?
   1. Easily fooled
   2. Clever
   3. Skeptical
   4. Honest