Finding meaning from context is a really useful skill for 9th graders, especially when you see new words. Here are some tips that have worked for me, and I hope they help you too!
Pay attention to how the sentence is written.
Words around the one you don’t know can give you hints about its meaning.
For example, if you read, “The sanguine crowd filled the stadium, their excitement palpable,” you can guess that “sanguine” likely means something positive or happy because of the cheerful words around it.
Writers often use words that mean the same or the opposite of the new word.
For example, if you see, “Unlike the timid lion, the fearless tiger roamed freely,” you can figure out that “timid” means shy or scared because of the opposite word “fearless.”
Sometimes, writers give examples to help explain a word.
For instance, if a sentence says, “He felt animosity for his rival, such as during the intense competition,” the example shows that “animosity” probably means feeling angry or hostile.
Understanding parts of a word can also help.
For example, with the word “un*believable,” you can break it down into “un-” (which means not) and “believable.” This helps you think it means “not able to be believed.”
Try to picture what the word means in your head or draw a quick sketch.
If you come across a word like “serene,” think of a calm lake. This can help you understand that it likely relates to being peaceful or relaxed.
Lastly, don’t be shy about reading sentences again for more understanding or talking with friends or teachers about confusing words.
Sometimes, just discussing it can help you find the meaning you need.
Using these strategies can really help you grow your vocabulary and make reading so much more enjoyable!
Finding meaning from context is a really useful skill for 9th graders, especially when you see new words. Here are some tips that have worked for me, and I hope they help you too!
Pay attention to how the sentence is written.
Words around the one you don’t know can give you hints about its meaning.
For example, if you read, “The sanguine crowd filled the stadium, their excitement palpable,” you can guess that “sanguine” likely means something positive or happy because of the cheerful words around it.
Writers often use words that mean the same or the opposite of the new word.
For example, if you see, “Unlike the timid lion, the fearless tiger roamed freely,” you can figure out that “timid” means shy or scared because of the opposite word “fearless.”
Sometimes, writers give examples to help explain a word.
For instance, if a sentence says, “He felt animosity for his rival, such as during the intense competition,” the example shows that “animosity” probably means feeling angry or hostile.
Understanding parts of a word can also help.
For example, with the word “un*believable,” you can break it down into “un-” (which means not) and “believable.” This helps you think it means “not able to be believed.”
Try to picture what the word means in your head or draw a quick sketch.
If you come across a word like “serene,” think of a calm lake. This can help you understand that it likely relates to being peaceful or relaxed.
Lastly, don’t be shy about reading sentences again for more understanding or talking with friends or teachers about confusing words.
Sometimes, just discussing it can help you find the meaning you need.
Using these strategies can really help you grow your vocabulary and make reading so much more enjoyable!