Building Vocab Through

Context Clues and

Synonyms/Antonyms

BSEd MAPEH Group 3

4-G
Education 10: Developmental Reading
What is Vocabulary?
Set of familiar words
Words that you must know to
communicate effectively.
Ability to know the meaning and usage
of words,
Reference:
Cambridge Advance Learners Dictionary
Rivera, English Communication Arts 1
Context Clues
Words or phrases around an
unfamiliar word.
Process of discovering the meaning
of a new word.
Reference:
Alejandro S. Bernardo, Developmental

Hints that the author gives.

Reading 1
Dr. Edisteo B. Bermudez, Developmental
Reading
Irwin L. Joffe, Opportunity for Succesful
Reading, 3rd ed., 153-55
Context Clues
Activity
Your friend Ryan has moved to a new country and is learning a new language. Read what he wrote in his
journal and see if you can figure out the meaning to the underlined words.

Dear Journal,
I overslept this morning. I had to eat my bowl of poof-poofs very quickly, and I almost missed the
tramzam. When I got to school, I realized I had forgotten my zilgping. Luckily, Ms. Jutzi is very zoosh, and
told me I could bring it tomorrow.
After school, some friends and I played plingming. Its a new game I am learning. We scored 7 points and
they only scored 5 points, so we were the zoiters!
Dad says that next weekend were going to the fladder. I cant wait! I love to swim and play in the sand. I
hope I dont get a sunburn though.
Well, I better go to bed soon. I dont want to wake up late again and miss my tramzam!

Until tomorrow,
Ryan
Direction!
Its time for some detective
work. Take each word from
Ryans diary that is written in
his new language and use the
context clues in the text to
figure them out.
 Lets begin
What could the word poof-poofs mean?
The sentences tell me it is something that can be eaten. I know
that it is a breakfast food because Ryan said it was morning. I also
know that it goes in a bowl. What do you think it is?
The most logical guess would be
A type of cereal
 What could the word tramzam mean?
The sentences tell me that Ryan was
going to school and he almost missed
his tramzam. What do you think it is?
The most logical guess would be
A school bus
 What could the word zilgping mean?
The sentences tell me that it is something
Ryan needed at school. I also know that it is
okay if he brings it tomorrow. What do you
think it is?
The most logical guess would be
Ryans homework.
 What could the word zoosh mean?
The sentences tell me that a person can act
this way and that Ms. Jutzi is being kind and
allowing Ryan to bring his homework the next
day. What do you think it is?
The most logical guess would be
Friendly or Understanding
 What could the word zoiters mean?
The sentences tell me that Ryans team 7
points while the other team scored less
points. What do you think it is?
The most logical guess would be that it
means
Winners
Youre doing terrifickeep going!
What could the word Plingming mean?
The sentences tell me it is game Ryan and his
friends play against each other and that points
can be scored. What do you think it is?
The most logical guess would be a
Sport such basketball or soccer
Almost there
What could the word fladder mean?
The sentences tell me that Ryans dad said he could go
there and when he gets there they will swim and play in the
sand. Ryan also mentioned not wanting a sunburn. What do
you think it is?
The most logical guess would be
A lake or a beach
Types of Context
Clues
 1st Type: Definition
The author provides a direct (explicit) definition
of an unknown word in the sentence.
Clues (Signal Words)
Is, are
Is, are called
Is, are known as
Is defined as
Means, refers to
 Example Sentences:
Martha is a curator, a person who is responsible for looking
after a museums collection.
Entomology is the study of insects.
Archeology is the scientific study of prehistoric cultures by
excavation of their remains.
Haberdashery, which is a store that sells mens clothing, is
becoming more common today.
Some spiders spin silk with tiny organs called spinnerets.
 2nd Type: Comparison
In comparison clues, the author uses
words and phrases that have the same or similar
meaning as an unfamiliar word.
Clues (Signal Words)
Like as, similar to, in
The same way,
Likewise, resembling,
Too, also
 Example Sentences:
My brother is enthralled by birds similar to the way that I
am fascinated by insects.
The stench of the old shoes was like the smell of garbage.
The taciturn student is like a mute television.
The concentric circles used as a model for World English
are similar to the overlapping circles shown on the
board.
The tawny dog, as golden as a lion, startled us.
 3rd Type: Example/Explanation
The author provides examples or additional explanations or
summaries to help you understand an unfamiliar word. The
word is cleared up by giving an example.
Clues (Signal Words)
For example
For instance
Including
Such as
Specifically
To illustrate
 Example Sentences:
The archeologist found different amulets, such as a rabbits foot
and bags of herb.
Paula was suspended from school because of several infractions of
the rules, including smoking in the bathroom and dressing
improperly.
Celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, and stars, are governed by
predictable laws.
Toads, frogs, and some birds are predators that hunt and eat
spiders.
The governor asked that farmers make use of all arable land such as
corn and wheat fields.
 4th Type: Cause and Effect
The meaning of an unknown word depends on the
cause/effect relationship with other words in the text.
Clues (Signal Words)
As a result - Therefor
Accordingly - Thus
Because, since - So
Consequently
For this reason
Hence, if then
 Example Sentences:
Since no one came to the first meeting, attendance for the second
one is mandatory for all staff.
Because the conflagration was aided by wind, it was so destructive
that every building in the area was completely burned to the
ground.
She wanted to impress all her dinner guests with the food she
served, so she carefully studied the necessary culinary arts.
Due to the dearth of terminates, the aardvark starved to death.
Father was always pragmatic; consequently, he decided not to buy
the beautiful white sofa on the grounds that it would show dirt.
5th Type: List of Series
The unfamiliar word is included in a series of
related words that give an idea of the words
meaning.
Clues
Look for a list of series
Example Sentence:
North American predators include grizzly bears, pumas,
wolves, and foxes.
The debris in the stadium stands included numerous paper
cups, ticket stubs, sandwich wrappings, and cigarette butts.
The air in Manila is found to have noxious materials such as air
fresheners, insect repellants, smoke from vehicles, and dust
particles.
In biology, abiotic factors like soil, air, and water are
considered a part of the ecosystem.
Short stories, poems, and dramas are series of literary genres.
 6th Type: Inference or General Context
The meaning of an unfamiliar word can be
inferred (guessed) from the description of a
situation. The author provides nonspecific clues,
often spread over the sentence or number of
sentences.
Clues
Look for clues over several words or
sentences.
Example Sentence:
The monkeys vociferous chatter made me wish I had earplugs.
Katies belligerence surprised everyone. She threw her book across
the room, glared at Chris, and then pushed him to the floor.
When her son was imprisoned, she felt that all her dreams for him
vanished. She could no longer look at her son lingering behind the
cold bars of the prison together with the other convicted criminals.
She told her friend, Im through with blind dates forever. What a
dull evening! I was bored every minute. The conversation was
absolutely vapid.
While exploring the ancient pyramids in Egypt, the scientist
discovered the mummy of a king buried in a sarcophagus with
elaborate designs.
 7th Type: Synonym or Restatement
This type of context clues uses
simpler synonyms of unfamiliar words.
Clues (Signal Words)
Sometimes signal words or,
that is, or in other words are
used.
Example Sentence:

Voracious or avid readers frequent the malls to buy the

latest books.
The work assigned to me was cumbersome or tiring.
Carnivores, that is, meat eaters, are the top of the food
chain.
My best friend squandered all his money; his drinking
and gambling wasted all his earnings.
After seeing the picture of the starving children, we all
felt compassion or pity for their suffering.
 8th Type: Antonyms or Contrast
The author uses another word or phrase that means the
opposite of an unfamiliar word.
Clues (Signal Words)
But, however,
Although, otherwise,
Unless, instead of, on the contrary,
On the other hand, while,
unlike
Example Sentence:

The gentleman was portly, but his wife was thin.

While Luis is hardworking, his indolent brother spends
most of the time watching TV or sitting around with
friends.
I thought the movie would be weird, but it turned out to
be totally mundane.
In March, the weather is usually pacific, unlike the bad
and stormy weather during the months of June and July.
Mikes daughter is very mischievous. However, his son
always behaves well.
 9th Type: Punctuations
Readers can also use clues of punctuation and type
style to infer meaning.
Clues (Signal Words)
Commas ,
Quotation Marks
Dashes -
Parentheses ( ) or Brackets
Italics
Example Sentence:

The goslings those fuzzy baby geese waddled after

their mother.
Bigamymarriage to two spouses at the same time
is not legal in the United States.
Mary retained, kept, the deed to her mother's house.
She enjoyed biology (The study of living things).
Tom's father was a haberdasher (mens shop keeper)
in the story.
10th Type: Analysis or Structure Clue
Readers can use their knowledge of root
words and affixes/suffixes to figure out
the unknown word.
Clues
Look for root word of the unfamiliar
word and give the meaning of it then try to
analyze the word by with suffixes or affixes.
Example Sentence:

The story is incredible.

The root cred means to believe, and the prefix in
means not. Therefore, if a story is incredible, it is
unbelievable.
The somnambulist had to be locked in his bedroom at
night for his own safety.
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.