Reading: Vocabulary in Context: B1 Lesson 1: Inferring Meaning of Unfamiliar Vocabulary from Contextual Clues (synonyms, antonyms, examples)

Reading: Vocabulary in Context

B1 Lesson 1: Inferring Meaning from Context Clues

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to infer the meaning of unfamiliar words by identifying synonym, antonym, and example clues in a text.

Before You Read 🧠

Key Vocabulary

A good reader doesn't always need a dictionary. They act like a detective, using these clues to guess the meaning of new words.

Infer Meaning

To figure out a word's meaning from clues.

Context Clues

Words around a new word that help explain it.

Synonym / Antonym

A word with the same / opposite meaning.

Example

A specific item that helps explain a general idea.

Three Powerful Context Clues

Let's learn how to spot three powerful types of clues: Synonyms, Antonyms, and Examples.

1. The Synonym Clue (Same Meaning)

A sentence might explain a new word by using a synonym. Look for signal phrases like `in other words`, `that is`, or `or`.

The view from Bokor Mountain was spectacular; in other words, it was amazing and beautiful to see.

Analysis: The signal phrase "in other words" tells us that "amazing and beautiful" is the meaning of spectacular.

2. The Antonym Clue (Opposite Meaning)

A sentence might show a contrast to explain a new word. Look for signal words like `but`, `unlike`, `however`.

Some people find the smell of durian to be repulsive, but my father thinks it is quite pleasant.

Analysis: "But" signals a contrast. If the father's feeling is "pleasant," then repulsive must mean the opposite: unpleasant or disgusting.

3. The Example Clue

A sentence can give examples to help you understand a general word. Look for signal words like `such as`, `for example`, `including`.

There are many types of fauna in the Cambodian countryside, such as water buffalo, monkeys, snakes, and various birds.

Analysis: "Such as" introduces a list of examples (all animals). Therefore, fauna means the animals of a region.

Practice Being a Word Detective 🎯

Quiz: Find the Clues!

Use the context clues to infer the meaning of the bolded word in each sentence.

1. The old French buildings in Kampot are surprisingly durable; in fact, many have remained strong and in good condition for over a century.

What does durable mean?

• A. a strange color
• B. strong and able to last a long time
• C. expensive to repair

→ Answer: B. The phrase "remained strong and in good condition" is a synonym clue.

2. My brother is very gregarious, unlike me; I am very shy and quiet.

What does gregarious mean?

• A. shy and quiet
• B. good at school
• C. friendly and sociable

→ Answer: C. "Unlike" signals an antonym. The opposite of "shy and quiet" is "friendly and sociable."

Key Vocabulary Reference

• To Infer Meaning (Verb Phrase) | ការទាញសេចក្តីសន្និដ្ឋាន
  To figure out a word's meaning from clues, without being told directly.
• Context Clues (Noun) | តម្រុយក្នុងបរិបទ
  Words or sentences around a new word that help explain its meaning.
• Synonym (Noun) | សនាម
  A word that has the same or a very similar meaning to another word (e.g., big / large).
• Antonym (Noun) | បដិសព្ទ
  A word that means the opposite of another word (e.g., hot / cold).
• Example (Noun) | ឧទាហរណ៍
  A specific item that helps to show or explain a general idea.

Your Reading Mission ⭐

Find the Clues!

Your teacher will give you a short paragraph with one or two underlined, unfamiliar words. Read the paragraph carefully.

1. Write down your guess for the meaning of each underlined word.
2. Write down the context clue you used to help you guess (was it a synonym, an antonym, an example, or just the general context?).

Be ready to share your findings with the class.