Contextual Clues

[Kmikaeli]

When you guys talk about using contextual clues to find out about unknown vocabulary words or using contextual clues for concept reference type questions, do you mean by analyzing specific elements such as the text based elements (initial/closing info., definitions, lists, numbers and dates, etc...)

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Kmikaeli,

Kind of, but broader What we mean is to use the information around the word (which would include the items you mentioned, but anything else as well) to help determine meaning. For example, if you encountered the word "vituperative" in a passage, it might be in a sentence like this:

• The two remained enemies thereafter, and exchanged a series of vituperative letters over the years. Ultimately, they never resolved their differences.

So, while you might not immediately know the meaning of vituperative (it means verbal abuse or condemnation), you can tell it's a negative term because the terms around it reflect a problem of sorts, as shown by the italicized terms here: "The two remained enemies thereafter, and exchanged a series of vituperative letters over the years. Ultimately, they never resolved their differences." And, it's likely that other information in the passage would further help fill in the meaning.

Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!