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Guessing the meaning of vocabulary from context

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Guessing the meaning of vocabulary from context

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Robin Sneath
Robin Sneath
Japan

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Guessing the meaning of vocabulary from context
 

Guessing the meaning of vocabulary from contextOnline version

Awaiting source documents

by Robin Sneath
1

Guessing the meaning of vocabulary from context

  1. Word structure


If you see a new word, you can look at the word parts to guess the meaning.

  1. Prefixes – a beginning part that change the meaning of the word (e.g. un-, re-, dis-)
  2. Root – the basic meaningful part of a word (e.g. act, view, port)
  3. Suffixes - an ending that changes the word type and/or the meaning (e.g. -able, -tion, -er)
2

Examples

Example 1: uncomfortable

  • Prefix: un- = not
  • Root: comfort = feeling good
  • Suffix: -able = able to
  • 👉 uncomfortable = not able to feel good → "not feeling good"

Example 2: predictable

  • Prefix: pre- = before
  • Root: dict = say
  • Suffix: -able = can be
  • 👉 predictable = can be said before → "easy to guess"

Example 3: reheated

  • Prefix: re- = again
  • Root: heat = make hot
  • Suffix: -ed = past tense verb
  • 👉 reheated = make hot again → "heated again”


3

Prefixes

Common Prefixes


Prefix Meaning Example

Please look at page 2 of the work sheet


4

Suffixes

Common Suffixes

Suffix Meaning Example

Please look at page 3 of the work sheet

5

Task 1

Task 1: For each word below, break it down into prefix / root / suffix. Use the lists above to help you.


Reusable

Prefix


Root


Suffix


Meaning


Unbelievable

Prefix


Root


Suffix


Meaning


Misunderstand

Prefix


Root


Suffix


Meaning


Impossible

Prefix


Root


Suffix


Meaning


Reader

Prefix


Root


Suffix


Meaning



6

Types of context clues

Definitions or restatements: the word is directly explained in the sentence


A habitat, or natural home, is where an animal lives.

👉 habitat = natural home


When people contravene or break the law, they might be arrested by the police.

👉 contravene the law = break the law


Synonyms: a word with a similar meaning is used


The child was elated about her birthday gift - she looked really delighted.

👉 elated = happy (delighted)


Antonyms: a word with the opposite meaning is used


Unlike his hostile attitude yesterday, today he was friendly and kind.

👉 hostile = unfriendly


Examples: examples are given to explain the word


Bats, owls, and hedgehogs are mostly nocturnal creatures.

👉 nocturnal = active at night

Celestial bodies, such as the planets, moon, and stars, can be seen in the night sky.

👉 celestial = related to the sky or space


7

Task 2: Identify the types of context clues and guess the meaning of the underlined words.

Many aquatic animals, such as fish, dolphins, and whales, live in the ocean.

Type


Meaning


The arid desert had little rainfall and almost no vegetation.

Type


Meaning


He is very frugal—unlike his brother, who spends money carelessly.

Type


Meaning


Unlike his usually neat and tidy appearance, today he looked completely unkempt.

Type


Meaning


She is very sociable, always surrounded by friends and enjoying conversations.

Type


Meaning

8

More ways to guess meaning from context

  1. Look at other words in the sentence
  2. Sometimes the sentence doesn’t have a clear definition, synonym, or example, but the words around the unknown word give clues.

Example:

He stood at the edge of the diving board, gripping the railing tightly and glancing nervously at the water in the pool below. His friends shouted, “Come on, you can do it!” but he didn’t move. It was clear he was reluctant to jump.


👉Words like "gripping the railing tightly", “glancing nervously”, and “didn’t move” suggest he didn’t want to dive because he was nervous. Therefore, you can guess that “reluctant” means hesitant to do something (being slow to act because you don’t want to do it).


Use what you already know


Use your background knowledge or real-world knowledge to help.

Example: After the earthquake caused damage to many homes, some families stayed in temporary shelters. 

👉 If you know what can happen during earthquakes, you can guess that "temporary shelters" are places to stay for a period of time after homes are damaged.


9

Read the sentences. Use the strategies to guess the meaning of the underlined word.

The witch stirred the frog eyes and cat tails into the steaming cauldron smoking over the fire.


Meaning:


James, you need to cease tapping your pencil as other people are trying to concentrate.


Meaning:


You don't want to wrap your presents in plastic wrap - it’s transparent so everyone will know what you got!


Meaning:

10

Task 4: Look at the sentences and guess the meaning of the underlined word

"I think she's still pretty angry with me. I tried to start a conversation with her this afternoon, but she snubbed me. She just continued talking to her friend as if I wasn't there."

Clue(s):


Meaning:


Many of the old buildings were demolished and replaced with more modern facilities.

Clue(s):


Meaning:


When he asked her about her boyfriend, she looked quite flushed and couldn’t answer.

Clue(s):


Meaning:


Many travel posts on social media show idyllic scenery, but sometimes the places are not so beautiful when you go there.

Clue(s):


Meaning:


It’s always difficult to strike up a conversation with people on public transport: they might think you are weird.

Clue(s):


Meaning:


Why do some students think they can plagiarise? It really drives teachers mad.

Clue(s):


Meaning:
 
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