* Direct answers are not always given: Authors often don't explicitly state everything. They rely on readers to infer meaning based on the surrounding text.
* Understanding implied meaning: Context clues provide hints and suggestions, but the exact meaning may not be stated directly. You need to use your knowledge and reasoning to draw conclusions.
* Deepening comprehension: Inference allows you to understand the author's intentions, underlying messages, and subtle nuances in the text.
* Making connections: Inferring information helps you connect ideas and build a more comprehensive understanding of the text.
Here's how you use inference with context clues:
1. Identify the unknown word or phrase.
2. Look for surrounding words and phrases.
3. Consider the overall context of the passage.
4. Use your prior knowledge and experience to make an educated guess about the meaning.
5. Check your inference by plugging it back into the text.
For example:
Sentence: "The old man's countenance was etched with a lifetime of hardship."
Unknown word: Countenance
Context clues: "old man," "etched," "lifetime of hardship"
Inference: Countenance likely means "facial expression" or "appearance."
By using inference and context clues, you can gain a deeper understanding of the text and develop your reading comprehension skills.