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Hi there! I am Studyfin, your friendly tutor. Today, we will learn how to find the meanings of new words using context clues!
When you read, you will find new words. You do not need a dictionary every time. You can use context clues, which are nearby words that help you guess the meaning.
Sometimes, a sentence uses a contrast clue. This means the author shows a difference between two things. Words like 'but' or 'unlike' point out these opposites.
Authors also use cause and effect clues. If you see what happens because of a word, you can figure out what that word means. Look for words like 'because' or 'so' to help you connect the ideas.
Read this sentence and find the meaning of the word 'sluggish': "The heavy rain made the stream sluggish, so the toy boats floated down very slowly instead of racing."
- Look for clues in the sentence. The word 'so' shows a cause and effect relationship.
- Find the effect. The toy boats 'floated down very slowly instead of racing.'
- Connect the cause to the effect. The slow floating happened because the stream became 'sluggish.'
- Conclude that 'sluggish' means slow-moving or inactive.
