English Language Arts
Grade 3
15 min
Use context to identify the meaning of a word
Use context to identify the meaning of a word
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define 'context' in a simple sentence.
Identify clue words in sentences surrounding an unknown word.
Use the main idea of a paragraph to make a logical guess about a word's meaning.
Explain how pictures or illustrations can provide context clues.
Replace an unknown word with a guessed word to check if the sentence still makes sense.
Differentiate between a helpful clue and an unhelpful detail in a sentence.
Have you ever been reading and a tricky word stops you in your tracks? 🕵️ Let's learn a superpower to figure out those words all by yourself!
In this lesson, we will learn how to use 'context clues' to become word detectives. Context clues are the hints in the words, sentences, and pictures around a new word that help us...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Context CluesHints in a sentence or paragraph that help you understand a new or unknown word.In the sentence, 'The puppy was tiny, or very small,' the words 'very small' are context clues for the word 'tiny'.
Unknown WordA word you have not seen before or do not know the meaning of.If you are reading and see the word 'gargantuan' for the first time, it is an unknown word.
Main IdeaWhat a paragraph or a story is mostly about.If a paragraph talks about a lion's loud roar, sharp teeth, and big mane, the main idea is 'what a lion is like'.
Definition ClueWhen the sentence tells you the meaning of the word directly, often using words like 'is,' 'are,' or 'which means.'A 'reptile'...
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Key Rules & Conventions
Look Around the Word
Read the sentence with the unknown word, the sentence before it, and the sentence after it.
Use this rule first. The clues are usually very close to the word you don't know. Don't just stare at the tricky word; look at its neighbors for hints.
Use the Main Idea
Think about what the whole paragraph is about.
If the clues in the sentence aren't enough, use this rule. The main idea gives you a big hint about the type of word you are looking for. If the paragraph is about a scary monster, a new word is probably related to being scary.
Plug and Play
Make a smart guess, then substitute your word for the unknown word in the sentence.
After you use clues to make a guess, test it out! Reread the sentence with your word in it and ask yoursel...
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
Read the paragraph. The main idea, which is not stated directly, is that the desert is a very dry place.
The land stretched for miles with nothing but sand and rock. The sun beat down, and there had been no rain for months. Even the tough cactuses looked thirsty. It was a truly arid landscape.
Based on the main idea you can infer, what does "arid" mean?
A.very dry
B.very empty
C.very hot
D.very big
Challenging
Read the paragraph, which is from a cat's point of view. The main idea is that the cat is very scared of the dog.
The dog stood over me, blocking the sun. Its shadow was a dark monster on the ground. It let out a low growl that rumbled in its chest. The dog's stare was menacing, and I flattened my ears, ready to run.
From the cat's point of view, what does "menacing" mean?
A.playful
B.sleepy
C.curious
D.threatening
Challenging
Read the paragraph. The main idea is that a new invention is both clever and helpful.
The scientist revealed her new machine. No one had ever seen anything like it. It could clean water using only the power of the sun, making it safe for people to drink without creating pollution. It was a truly innovative solution to a big problem.
What does the word "innovative" mean?
A.old and familiar
B.new and clever
C.big and heavy
D.complicated and slow
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