Vocabulary in Context
B1 Lesson 1: Using Context Clues
Goal:
Guess the meaning of a new word by looking for synonyms, antonyms, or examples in the sentence.
1. Detective Tools
Context
បរិបទ (Surrounding words)
Synonym
វេវចនសព្ទ (Same meaning)
Antonym
ពាក្យផ្ទុយ (Opposite meaning)
Example
ឧទាហរណ៍ (List of items)
2. Types of Clues
Type 1: The Synonym (=)
The sentence uses a word with the same meaning nearby.
Unknown Word = Clue Word
"The house was vacant; it was completely empty."
Type 2: The Antonym (≠)
The sentence uses a word with the opposite meaning (look for: but, however, unlike).
Unknown Word ≠ Clue Word
"She is usually talkative, but today she is quiet."
Type 3: The Example (List)
The sentence lists items to show what the word is.
Unknown Word = Item 1, Item 2...
"Beverages, such as tea and coffee, are served hot."
3. Solve the Mystery
Case #1: Synonym
"The king was wealthy. He was very rich and had much gold."
Reason: "Rich" explains "Wealthy".
Case #2: Antonym
"The exam was complex. It was not simple at all."
Reason: "Not simple" means complex is the opposite (Hard).
4. Quick Check
Sentence: "I am famished because I did not eat breakfast."
1. What does "famished" mean?Sentence: "Unlike his brother who is rude, Tom is polite."
2. What does "polite" mean? (Clue: Unlike rude)Sentence: "We need utensils, like forks and spoons, to eat."
3. What are "utensils"?