Here's how it works:
1. Identify the unknown word: Notice the word you don't understand.
2. Look for clues: Pay attention to the words and phrases around the unknown word.
3. Consider the sentence structure: How does the sentence function with the unknown word?
4. Think about synonyms and antonyms: Are there any words that seem like they might be similar or opposite in meaning?
5. Use your prior knowledge: Do you know anything about the topic or the author that might shed light on the meaning?
For example:
Let's say you encounter the sentence: "The serene landscape was a welcome sight after the bustling city."
You might not know the meaning of "serene". Here's how you can figure it out:
* Surrounding words: "landscape", "welcome sight", "bustling city" all suggest a calm and peaceful setting.
* Sentence structure: "serene" is describing the landscape.
* Prior knowledge: You may know that "bustling" means busy and noisy, so the opposite of that would be calm and quiet.
From this, you can infer that "serene" likely means "calm and peaceful".
Remember: Context clues aren't always perfect, but they are a powerful tool for understanding unfamiliar words!