The use of context clues in vocabulary types of tests particularly with synonyms and antonyms is essential. Context clues are hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage that a reader can use to understand the meanings of new or unfamiliar words.
A synonym is a word or phrase that means the same (or very nearly the same) as another word or phrase. Words that are synonyms are described as synonymous.
An antonym is a word that has contrasting, or the opposite, meaning.
Synonym/Definition/Description Clues
The mountain pass was a TORTUOUS road, winding and twisting like a snake around the trees of the mountainside.
Flooded with spotlights – the focus of all attention – the new Miss Philippines began her year-long reign. She was the CYNOSURE of all eyes for the rest of the evening.
His EMACIATION, that is, his skeleton-like appearance was frightening to see.
The DUDEEN – a short-stemmed clay pipe – is found in Irish folk tales.
Example Clues
PISCATORIAL creatures, such as flounder, salmon, and trout, live in the coldest parts of the ocean.
In the course of man’s evolution, certain organs have ATROPHIED. The appendix, for example, has wasted away from disuse.
Antonyms
When the light brightens, the pupils of the eyes contract; however, when it grows darker, they DILATE.
The children were as different as day and night. He was a lively conversationalist, but she was reserved and TACITURN.
Tone or Mood Clues
If the setting is a ghost story for instance, and the protagonist is “brooding,” we can be pretty sure it doesn’t mean he’s happy. Asking your child how she would feel in the setting of the story is one way to clue her into the meaning of a new word.
The LUGUBRIOUS wails of the gypsies matched the dreary whistling of the wind in the all but-deserted cemetery.
Analysis or Structure Clues
The story is INCREDIBLE.
The SOMNAMBULIST had to be locked in his bedroom at night for his own safety.
ü The root cred means “to believe,’ and the prefix means “not.” Therefore, if a story is incredible, it is unbelievable.
ü If a reader knows the meaning of ambular (walk) and somn (sleep) and sees the sentence, the reader may realize that a “somnambulist” is a sleepwalker.
Inference Clue
She told her friend, “I’m through with blind dates forever. What a dull evening! I was bored every minute. The conversation was absolutely VAPID.”
Cause and Effect Clues
She wanted to impress all her dinner guests with the food she served, so she carefully studied the necessary CULINARY arts.
References
(n.d.). Retrieved June 2020, from Lousy Writer: http://www.lousywriter.com/cheat-sheet-homonyms.php
(n.d.). Retrieved June 2020, from testbook: https://testbook.com/blog/10-tips-for-mastering-synonyms-with-examples-for-sbi-po/
(n.d.). Retrieved June 2020, from Reading Vine: https://resources.readingvine.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-context-clues/
(2012). Retrieved June 2020, from englishforeveryone.org: https://www.englishforeveryone.org/PDFs/Antonym_Techniques.pdf
(2015, June). Retrieved June 2020, from Literary Terms: https://literaryterms.net/
(2016). Retrieved June 2020, from Sentence dict.com: https://sentencedict.com/
(2020, March). Retrieved June 2020, from Face Prep.
VOMEND, K.-B. (2002). Retrieved June 2020, from GRIN: https://www.grin.com/document/108564
Your Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved June 2020, from YourDictionary.com: https://sentence.yourdictionary.com/
Thankyou for this article 💚