1. Definition Clues: The sentence might directly define the word using words like "is," "means," "or," "that is," "in other words," or "namely."
Example: "The archaic language of the poem, meaning old-fashioned or outdated, made it difficult to understand."
2. Synonym Clues: The text might use a synonym (a word with similar meaning) for the unfamiliar word.
Example: "The old man was frail and weak." (The word "weak" acts as a synonym for "frail")
3. Antonym Clues: The text might use an antonym (a word with opposite meaning) to highlight the meaning of the unfamiliar word.
Example: "While the arrogant man boasted about his wealth, the humble woman quietly offered her help." (The contrast between "arrogant" and "humble" helps us understand the meaning of "arrogant")
4. Example Clues: The text might give examples that illustrate the meaning of the unfamiliar word.
Example: "The diverse population of the city included people from many different backgrounds: Asian, African, European, and Latin American." (The examples of different backgrounds help us understand what "diverse" means)
5. Inference Clues: Sometimes, you have to use your own knowledge and logic to infer the meaning of the word from the surrounding text.
Example: "The tenacious student studied late into the night, refusing to give up until she understood the difficult concepts." (From the context, we can infer that "tenacious" means persistent or determined)
Remember:
* Read the entire sentence and the surrounding sentences.
* Think about what the sentence is trying to say.
* Look for clues within the text.
* Use your own knowledge and experience to help you understand the word.
By using context clues, you can become a master of vocabulary and understand unfamiliar words without having to constantly reach for a dictionary!