VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT
Name: ________________________
1. WHAT IS "VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT"? Where you will learn what this important concept is about.
2. USING CONTEXT CLUES shows you how this concept will help you with your reading.
3. TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES presents four common context clues and gives you practice with each type of clue.
4. PRACTICE EXERCISES AND ANSWERS provide 3 exercises on different levels of difficulty, followed by the correct answers.
PART 1. WHAT IS "VOCABULARY IN CONTEXT"?
Vocabulary in context means using clues found in the sentence or paragraph you are reading to figure out the meaning of a word you are not familiar with. Here's how it works.
What would you say if someone asked you what the word culpable means?
Just thinking of the meaning of the word might be difficult for you. But if you saw the word in a sentence, you would be more likely to know what it means. Here is the word culpable in a sentence. See if you can figure out its meaning. Read the sentence, choose its meaning, then read the Explanation.
After the automobile accident, police must try to determine who is culpable. The party who is not to blame is not charged with any offense. Culpable means:
a. believable b. hurt c. to blame
Explanation
Culpable means "to blame." Choices a and b may work in the first sentence, but the second sentence eliminates them as possibilities. The phrase "the party who is not to blame" makes it clear that culpable means "to blame."
PART 2. USING CONTEXT CLUES
In order to determine what culpable meant, you used clues that were provided by the words surrounding the word culpable. These words are called "context." Knowing how to use the context surrounding difficult or unfamiliar words can help you figure out what new words mean. Context clues help you in three ways:
1. Context clues will save you time when you are reading, since you won't have to stop and look up every new word you read.
2. Context clues will improve your understanding of what you read, since you will know the meaning of more of the words you are reading.
3. Context clues will expand your vocabulary, because you will be learning the meanings of many new words. When you see these words more than once, they will become a part of your reading vocabulary.
PART 3. TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES
Here are four common types of context clues:
1. Examples 2. Synonyms 3. Antonyms 4. General Sense/Implied
Here is a look at each of these common clues.
Type 1. Examples
A difficult word may be followed by examples that will reveal what the word means.
The examples often follow signal words such as for example, including, for instance, such as, or e.g.(which means "for example"). Here are three sentences that use examples as clues to help you determine the meaning of a word you may not be familiar with. See if you can come up with the meaning of the word that is in italics.
1. Adversities such as poverty, poor grades, and a weak family background can be overcome with hard effort. Adversities are:
a. obstacles b. pleasures c. obligations
2. Pungent odors, including those from a lemon, garlic, and ammonia, can cause allergic reactions in some people. Pungent means:
a. unusual b. strong c. mild
3. Carla had a reputation for doing perilous activities. For instance, she loved to climb steep mountains without a safety rope, and she enjoys diving among sharks. Perilous means:
a. fun-filled b. boring c. dangerous
Type 2. Synonyms
Synonyms are words that have similar meanings. For example, the words club, organization, and association are synonyms - they all mean about the same thing. Synonyms may be purposely provided by an author to help readers understand a word. Synonyms may be introduced in three ways:
1. Often the synonym will be directly before or after an unfamiliar word, and it will be set of by commas, dashes, or parentheses. Here is an example:
After six years of drought, California had a copious, abundant amount of rain in 1993.
The word copious is explained in the sentence by the synonym ABUNDANT.
2. Synonyms may be introduced by the words or and that is
Here are examples:
(a) Johnny had the audacity, or nerve, to tell me he could do anything better than I could.
The terms audacity and "nerve" are synonyms. The word "or" coming between them signals this fact.
(b) Brothers and sisters sometimes like to play innocuous, that is, harmless, pranks on each other.
The terms innocuous and "harmless" are synonyms. The phrase "that is" coming between the two terms signals this.
3. Synonyms may appear somewhere else in a sentence, or in an entirely different sentence, as a restatement of the meaning of an unknown word.
Here is an example:
A good detective tries to corroborate statements made by witnesses. Sometimes statements can be confirmed by interviewing witnesses separately.
The terms corroborate and "confirm" are synonyms. The second sentence is a restatement of the first sentence, and "confirm" is used in place of "corroborate."
Type 3. Antonyms
Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. For example, summer is the opposite of winter; soft is the opposite of hard, and wet is the opposite of dry. When authors use antonyms as context clues, the opposite meaning of an unknown word is provided. Antonyms are often signaled by words such as unlike, but, however, instead of, in contrast, and on the other hand. The examples below should help you to understand how this type of clue works. Each sentence has an antonym as a context clue. Read each sentence and see if you can come up with the right meaning for the word in italics.
1. Even though Sarah claimed she was not at the dance, Mike's videotape of her dancing with Fred was irrefutable proof. Irrefutable means:
a. definite b. unreliable c. published
2. Instead of alleviating the situation, Mark's explanation of why he was two hours late for his date only made things worse. alleviate means:
a. make things worse b. keep things the same c. make things better
3. After a twenty-mile hike, I assumed I would be ravenous, but I was so happy that the hike was over that I couldn't eat a thing. Ravenous means:
a. sad b. hungry c. crazy
Type 4 General Sense of the Sentence or Passage (IMPLIED)
Often the context surrounding an unknown word contains no examples, synonyms, or antonyms. How, then, can you understand the word? You can use the general sense of the sentence or passage. Careful reading and your experiences with the situation being described will give you the meaning of the word. Here are three sentences that you will have to sense in order to get the meaning of the word in italics.
1. In general, people who achieve success despite obstacles such as handicaps, poverty or a poor upbringing are lauded by society. Lauded means to:
a. not believed b. praised c. hated
2. Residents of Malibu and other seaside resides have to buttress the foundations of their houses before a big storm. Buttress means:
a. strengthen b. remove c. purchase
3. Because he was hit from behind, Ray was unable to identify his assailant. An assailant is:
a. a priest b. a mother c. an attacker
PART 4. PRACTICE EXERCISES AND ANSWERS
For each sentence below, do two things. First, using context clues for help, choose the letter of the best meaning for each word in italics. Then, choose which type of context clue was provided by the sentence.
1. When John ran out of gas, a friendly motorist stopped and let him siphon, or draw off, a gallon of gas from his car. Siphon means to:
a. stick to b. draw off c. steal
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
2. When Coach Day was hit with a barrage of complaints, including his lack of leadership, his inability to win, and the fact that he showed up late for practice all the time, he decided it was time to quit. A barrage is:
a. a limited number b. a warning of a threat c. a large number
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
3. The cockroach is found just about everywhere on earth because it can adapt to almost any environment. Adapt to means to:
a. move to b. adjust to c. reject
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
4. You constantly renege on your promises, but I have been taught to live up to my word at all times. Renege means to:
a. go back on b. live up to c. speak freely
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
5. Military ordnance including guns, tanks, missiles, and bombs, is expensive and becomes obsolete quickly. Ordnance is:
a. reserves b. employees c. weapons
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
6. A respite such as a half-time at a football game and the time bewteen innings in baseball is common in sporting events. A respite is:
a. a rest period b. a busy time c. an unplanned break
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
7. The aperture, or opening, in a camera lens met be set precisely for a good shot. An aperture is:
a. a camera b. an opening c. a good shot
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
8. Only Alaska and Hawaii are not part of the 48 contiguous states in the U.S. Contiguous means:
a. original b. connecting c. polluted
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
Vocabulary in Context: Exercise2
For each sentence below, do two things. First, using context clues for help, choose the letter of the best meaning for each word in italics. Then, choose which type of context clue was provided by the sentence. When you finish, check your answers in the section that follows the exercise.
1. A benign -- harmless -- tumor can still cause pain and discomfort. Benign means:
a. harmful b. harmless c. small
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
2. The Academy of Esteemed Scientists announced that they were going to honor Dr. Horace Block for his work at their annual meeting in June, and that Dr. Block would appear and speak to the group. When Doctor Block died in May, the Academy decided they could still honor him posthumously. Posthumously means:
a. after a person's death b. before a person dies c. carefully
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
3. Good students know that you don't have to copy a lecture verbatim in order to get the general meaning intended by the professor. Verbatim means:
a. in part b. alone c. word for word
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
4. May's dog "Skipper" was acting listless at home, so May brought the dog to the vet, where he was still unresponsive. Listless means:
a. not responsive b. sore c. sick
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
5. When you are asked to explain yourself, a concise explanation is usually preferable to a lengthy one. Concise means:
a. lengthy b. short c. dull
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
6. Although I felt my argument was tenable, everyone else in my study group thought it was not defensible at all. Tenable means:
a. colorless b. liked by everyone c. able to be defended
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
7. Luis does not make a lot of money, but he believes in donating what he can to charity. Thus, he gives a nominal amount of his salary to charity each year. Nominal means
a. large b. small c. normal
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
Vocabulary in Context: Exercise 3
For each sentence below, do two things. First, using context clues for help, choose the letter of the best meaning for each word in italics. Then, choose which type of context clue was provided by the sentence. When you finish, check your answers in the section that follows the exercise.
1. Colonel Harlan Sanders failed at several enterprises before he began to make and sell fried chicken at the age of 65. An enterprise is
a. an assignment b. a marriage c. a business
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
2. Amnesty International is an organization that lists countries that commit heinous crimes against the residents and visitors of the country. Heinous means
a. proper b. heartless c. merciful
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
3. Some people are impervious to bee stings, while others are affected by them so severely that they require hospitalization. Impervious to means
a. unaffected by b. concerned about c. severely bothered by
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
4. Prodigious actors such as Orson Welles, John Candy, and Jackie Gleason may have lived longer had they lost weight. Prodigious means
a. heavy b. light c. attention-grabbing
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
5. It is not unusual for people to vacillate when they try to buy a car. At one point, their minds are set on one car, but they hesitate when they see another. Vacillate means to
a. purchase b. change your mind c. overreact
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
6. When Professor Heckberger found no discernable difference in the essays submitted by Alan and Mike, she gave a failing grade to each. Discernible means
a. introductory b. unintentional c. noticeable
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
7. While salacious comments such as "Your team plays like old ladies;" "When's the real team going to show up?": and "My little sister plays better than your team" are common at sporting events between schools, they have been known to incite riots that have resulted in police actions. Salacious means
a. admirable b. humorous c. offensive
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
8. Muscles that are not used will atrophy. To make strengthen them, workouts with weights are often recommended. Atrophy means to
a. weaken b. become stronger c. fall off
The Vocabulary in Context Technique used is:
a. example b. synonym c. antonym d. general sense
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