Fourth Grade ELA Vocabulary Practice

What are context clues?

Context clues are the words or sentences around an unfamiliar word that help you figure out what the word means.

Example:

“The arid desert, which is very dry and hot, makes it hard for plants to grow.”
Clue: “very dry and hot” tells us that arid means dry.

Note

Look closely at the words around the new word—they are your best hints.

There are different types of context clues that help you understand unfamiliar words.

Examples of Types:

Definition clue: “A habitat, or natural home, is where an animal lives.”
Synonym clue: “The meal was sumptuous, or very delicious.”
Antonym clue: “Unlike his generous brother, Sam was stingy with money.”
Example clue: “Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and limes, are high in vitamin C.”

Note

Recognizing the type of clue helps you solve the word’s meaning more quickly.

When you come across a word you do not know, follow these steps to figure out the meaning.

Steps:

Note

Do not stop at one sentence—sometimes the clue is nearby but not right next to the word.

Reading different kinds of texts helps you get better at spotting and using context clues.

Examples:

“The child was elated; she could not stop smiling after winning the prize.” (elated means very happy.)
“He was reluctant to join the game, but his friends begged him until he agreed.” (reluctant means unwilling or hesitant.)
“The fragile vase, easily broken, was kept on the top shelf.” (fragile means easily broken.)

Note

Always test your guess—does the meaning fit in the sentence? If yes, you are probably correct.

Context clues help you grow your vocabulary, improve reading comprehension, and become a stronger reader.

Example:

When you can figure out new words on your own, you do not have to stop and check the dictionary every time.

Note

Strong readers use context clues all the time. It is a skill you will use in every subject area.