LESSON 1

Use Context Clues to Find

Meaning of Unfamiliar Words

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of this lesson, you will be
expected to do the following:

LO 1: Use definition context clue to find meaning of unfamiliar

words.
LO 2: Use exemplification context clue to find the meaning of
unfamiliar words.

MARYKNOLL SCHOOL OF STO. TOMAS, INC.

ENGLISH 4
 DEFINITION OF TERMS

 Context Clue – are hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or

passage that a reader can use to understand the meanings of
new or unfamiliar words.

 Definition Context Clue – The new term may be formally

defined, or sufficient explanation may be given within the
sentence or in the following sentence.

 Exemplification Context Clue –

LEARNING OUTCOME 1:

Use definition context clue to find meaning of unfamiliar words.

CONTENT STANDARD:

MATERIALS:

Ballpen, Dictionary, Paper and Module.

MARYKNOLL SCHOOL OF STO. TOMAS, INC.

ENGLISH 4
 What Do You Already Know?

Let us determine how much you already know about

definition context clue. Answer the following questions
below.

PRETEST LO 1:

Read the following sentences and notice how the underlined word is used.
Try to get the meaning from the sentences from the sentence then encircle
the letter of the correct meaning.
1. The Creator realized that he had used up all the concrete elements.
a. actual b. abstract c. complex
2. There was nothing solid, nothing compact on hand.
a. disconnected b. increase in size c. firmly packed together
3. The Creator took the trembling of the grass.
a. expressing joy
b. shaking involuntarily
c. showing extreme happiness
4. He also took the serenity of the rays of sunshine.
a. discomfort b. calmness c. trouble
5. “Lord, the creature talks without ceasing.”
a. beginning b. commencement c. bringing to an end
6. “She torments me intolerably.”
a. excites b. inspires c. causes pain
7. The man said in desperation, “What shall I do?”
a. encouragement b. hopeless c. hope
8. The student replied to the teacher with a witty answer and the class
laughed.
a. funny b. mean c. word
9. I looked at my brother with a glare after he broke my toy.
a. confusing b. dirty look c. difficult
th
10. Fireworks in the 4 of July gives off a glimmer in the sky.
a. glow b. bright c. look

MARYKNOLL SCHOOL OF STO. TOMAS, INC.

ENGLISH 4
 What Do You Need To Know?
Study the information below.

CONTEXT CLUES

Context clues are hints found within a sentence, paragraph, or passage

that a reader can use to understand the meanings of new or unfamiliar
words.
There are several different types of context clues. One of them is:

1. DEFINITION/DESCRIPTION CLUE
The new term may be formally defined, or sufficient explanation may
be given within the sentence or in the following sentence. Clues to
definition include “that is,” commas, dashes, and parentheses.

Mr. Fry is an affable principal. He is pleasantly easy to

approach and always friendly.

The police thwarted, prevented the robber’s plan.

A marsh, or a swamp, is a wet and muddy place.

The boy was unresponsive when he didn’t answer any of the

questions we asked.

Aphids, pear-shaped sucking insect, appear on garden roses in

May and June.

MARYKNOLL SCHOOL OF STO. TOMAS, INC.

ENGLISH 4
 How Much Have You Learned?

Read each sentence. Encircle the word or words that mean the same as
the underlined word.
1. When we go camping, my father will ignite the fire so we can roast
marshmallows
a. start b. call c. see

2. He chose to delete the unhealthy foods from his meal and make
better choices.
a. include b. make more c. remove

3. My grandpa will doze during television shows that he watches when

he is tired.
a. cheer b. nap c. discuss

4. The curious puppy emptied the bag when he sniffed around looking
for something to chew.
a. problem b. interested c. happy

5. Each day during the spring, there is a slight increase in temperature

until summer activities.
a. small b. increase c. bright

6. That green and orange bird with the purple tuft on its head looks very
peculiar.
a. large b. strange c. dangerous

7. The U.S. abolished slavery in 1965, making it illegal to own another

person.
a. ended b. recognized c. confirmed

8. The use of computers has made the old fashioned typewriter

obsolete.
a. famous b. not used c. needed

9. If you adhere to the rules, the game will be won honestly.

a. disobey b. disregard c. abide by

10. The family’s food supply was depleted during the month long
blizzard.
a. used up b. unused c. stoked

MARYKNOLL SCHOOL OF STO. TOMAS, INC.

ENGLISH 4
 How Do You Extend Your Learning?
Read the selection below. List down the underlined words and
find the meaning of each word using your dictionary.

THE FOX & THE

GRAPES

A F o x o ne d a y s p i ed a
b e a u t i f u l b u n c h of r i p e gr a pe s
h a n g i ng f r om a v i n e t r a i n ed a l o n g
t h e b r an c h e s o f a t r e e . T h e
g r a p e s s e em e d r e a d y t o bu r s t
w i t h j u i c e , an d t h e F o x ' s m o u t h
w a t e r e d as h e ga z e d l on g i n g l y at
them.
T h e b u n c h h u n g f r om a h i gh br a n c h ,
a n d t h e F o x h ad t o j u m p f o r i t . T h e f i r s t
t im e he j um p e d h e m i s s e d i t b y a l o ng
w a y . S o he w a l k ed o f f a s h or t d i s t a n c e
a n d t o o k a r u n n in g l e a p at i t , o n l y t o f a l l
s h o r t o n ce m or e . A g a i n a nd a g a i n he
t r i e d , b ut i n v a i n .

Now he sat down and looked at the

grapes in disgust.

" Wh a t a f oo l I a m , " h e s a i d. " H e r e I

a m w ea r i n g m y s e l f o u t t o g e t a b u n c h o f
s o u r g r a p e s t h a t a r e no t w o r t h g a p i n g
for."

And off he walked ve r y , very

scornfully.

MARYKNOLL SCHOOL OF STO. TOMAS, INC.

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 WORD MEANING

How Do You Apply What You Have Learned?

List down five difficult or unfamiliar words in the blanks provided.

Put meaning for each word.

 ______________________________________________________________________________

 ______________________________________________________________________________

 ______________________________________________________________________________

 ______________________________________________________________________________

 ______________________________________________________________________________

MARYKNOLL SCHOOL OF STO. TOMAS, INC.

ENGLISH 4