Contextual Clues are hints that the author gives to help readers to define a difficult or unusual word. The clue may appear within the same sentence as the word to which it refers, or it may be in a preceding or subsequent sentence. Because most of your vocabulary is gained through reading, it is important that you be able to recognize and take advantage of context clues for better understanding towards the reading.
Types of Contextual Clues: There are at least four kinds of context clues that are quite common and can be identified.
1. Synonym: A synonym, or word with the same meaning, is used in the sentence. My opponent's argument is fallacious, misleading – plain wrong. (the meaning of the word fallacious is clearly stated in the next sentence which is misleading, plain wrong)
2. Antonym: A word or group of words that has the opposite meaning reveals the meaning of an unknown term. Although some men are loquacious, others hardly talk at all. (talking versus not talking at all, the word loquacious may brings the meaning noisy,talkative, making sounds)
3. Explanation: The unknown word is explained within the sentence or in a sentence immediately preceding. The patient is so somnolent that she requires medication to help her stay awake for more than a short time. (the word somnolent can brings the meaning of weak, helpless)
4. Example: Specific examples are used to define the term. Celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, and stars, are governed by predictable laws. (we understand that the sun, moon and stars are apart of the universe, galaxy, outer space)
Quick exercise:
Read the following sentences and define the bolded word based on the contextual clues. Then identify which of the four types of clues is used.
1. The girl who used to be very vociferous doesn't talk much anymore. ( )
Use contextual clues to figure out the meaning of the underlined words. Write the meaning of the words at end of every sentence.
2. Even though a pygmy hippopotamus is smaller version of a regular hippopotamus, it is still a very large animal. ( )
3. Pedagogical institutions, including high schools, kindergartens, and colleges, require community support to function efficiently. ( )
4. Like cotton surrounding a precious jewel, the clouds enveloped Mount Kilimanjaro’s peak. ( )
5. He was so parsimonious that he refused to give his own sons the few pennies they needed to buy pencils for school. It truly hurt him to part with his money. ( )
6. The old Maasai told us stories that teach many things about life and death, bravery and fear, vengeance and forgiveness. ( )
7. To think that the past does not matter is an illusion, a false and sometimes dangerous belief. ( )
8. His pertinacity, or stubbornness, is the cause of most of his trouble. ( )
9. Ecclesiastics, such as priests, ministers, and pastors, should set models of behavior for their congregants. ( )
10. We had to avoid the escarpment, the steep cliff that separated the plateaus. ( )
11. The girl was churlish – rude, sullen and absolutely ill-mannered. ( )
12. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous nation. More than 121 million people live there. ( )
13. The Maasai are one of 100 ethnic groups that make up Tanzania. ( )
14. Because the conflagration was aided by wind, it was so destructive that every building in the area was completely burned to the ground. ( )
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