Contextual clues are hints in a text that help you figure out unfamiliar words.

For 9th graders, these clues are super useful for learning new words and understanding what they read.

Here are some types of contextual clues you might come across:

1. Definition Clues: These clues give you a word that means the same thing or explain the word right there.

2. Example Clues: When the text gives examples, it makes the meaning clearer.

3. Contrast Clues: These clues show words or ideas that are opposite. This can help you understand what a word means.

Here are some fun facts:

• About 30% of the words you know can come from reading and using contextual clues.
• Students who pay attention to these clues usually understand better, improving their reading skills by about 20%.

Using these strategies can really help you read better and learn new words!