Reading: Vocabulary in Context
B1 Lesson 1: Inferring Meaning of Unfamiliar Vocabulary from Contextual Clues (synonyms, antonyms, examples)
Becoming an Independent Reader
When reading at the B1 level, you will encounter many new words. A good reader doesn't always stop to use a dictionary. Instead, they learn to infer the meaning1 of a word by looking for context clues2.
Today, we will learn how to spot three powerful types of clues: Synonyms, Antonyms, and Examples.
Part 1: The Synonym Clue (Same Meaning)
A synonym3 is a word that means the same or nearly the same as another word. Sometimes a sentence gives you a synonym to explain a new word. Look for signal phrases like `in other words`, `that is`, or a simple `or`.
Example: The view from the top of 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.
Part 2: The Antonym Clue (Opposite Meaning)
An antonym4 is a word that means the opposite of another word. A sentence might use an antonym to show a contrast. Look for signal words like `but`, `unlike`, `however`.
Example: Some people find the smell of durian to be repulsive, but my father thinks it is quite pleasant.
Analysis: The signal word "but" shows a contrast. If the father's feeling is "pleasant," then repulsive must mean the opposite: unpleasant or disgusting.
Part 3: The Example Clue
Sometimes a sentence gives you examples5 to help you understand a general word. Look for signal words like `such as`, `for example`, `like`, `including`.
Example: There are many types of fauna in the Cambodian countryside, such as water buffalo, monkeys, snakes, and various birds.
Analysis: The signal phrase "such as" introduces a list of examples. Water buffalo, monkeys, snakes, and birds are all animals. Therefore, fauna means the animals of a region.
Your Turn to Be a Word Detective!
Practice Quiz
Use the context clues to infer the meaning of the bold word.
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. The word "unlike" signals an antonym (opposite). The opposite of "shy and quiet" is "friendly and sociable."
Vocabulary Glossary
-
Infer Meaning (verb)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ការទាញសេចក្តីសន្និដ្ឋាន
To figure out a word's meaning from clues, without being told directly. ↩ back to text -
Context Clues (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: តម្រុយក្នុងបរិបទ
Words or sentences around a new word that help explain its meaning. ↩ back to text -
Synonym (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: សនាម
A word that has the same or a very similar meaning to another word (e.g., big / large). ↩ back to text -
Antonym (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: បដិសព្ទ
A word that means the opposite of another word (e.g., hot / cold). ↩ back to text -
Example (noun)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ឧទាហរណ៍
A specific item that helps to show or explain a general idea. ↩ back to text
Homework Task
Find the Clues!
Your teacher will give you a short paragraph with one or two underlined, unfamiliar words. Read the paragraph carefully.
- Write down your guess for the meaning of each underlined word.
- Write down the context clue you used to help you guess (was it a synonym, an antonym, an example, or just general context?).
Be ready to share your findings with the class.