How Context Clues Help You Understand Unfamiliar Words

1. What Are Context Clues?
Context clues are little hints in the text that help you figure out what unfamiliar words mean.

Examples:

• Synonyms: "She was elated, very happy about her exam results."
  (Elated means happy, so it helps you understand the word.)
• Antonyms: "Unlike his boisterous brother, he was quite quiet."
  (Boisterous means loud, so quiet is the opposite.)

2. Reading Tips
When you come across a hard word:

• Look at the sentences around it for hints.
• Find examples or definitions that might help you out.

3. Practice Sentences
Give these a try using context clues:

• "The melancholy movie left everyone feeling a bit sad."
  (Melancholy means sad.)
• "His arduous journey required great effort."
  (Arduous means hard or difficult.)

By using context clues, you can boost your vocabulary and understand what you read better!