Here's a breakdown:
* Words: The words immediately before and after the unknown word can provide clues about its meaning. For example, "The serene lake reflected the sunset." The words "serene" and "sunset" suggest that it is a peaceful and beautiful word.
* Ideas: The overall sentence or paragraph can also give hints about the meaning of the unknown word. For example, "The inquisitive child asked endless questions." The sentence tells us that the child is curious and likes to ask questions, thus suggesting the meaning of "inquisitive."
Pronunciation: Context clues can be less helpful with pronunciation, but sometimes the surrounding words can give a hint about the sounds in the unknown word. For example, if a word is spelled similarly to another word you know, it might help you guess the pronunciation.
Types of Context Clues:
* Synonyms: The text may use a synonym or a similar word for the unknown word.
* Antonyms: The text may use an opposite word to help you understand the unknown word.
* Examples: The text may provide examples that illustrate the meaning of the unknown word.
* Definitions: Sometimes, the text itself will provide a definition of the unknown word.
By using context clues, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the text and improve their reading comprehension.