Guess Word Meaning from the Context
Class:____________ Name: _______________
Lead in
The word context means “the setting of a word”. The setting of a word in a text is the sentence it is in. So when you come to a word that you are unsure of or unfamiliar with, you may think about what the sentence is saying and make a guess about what the word might mean. When you use the sentence to figure out what the word means, you are using the context. A close look at the context in which a word is used can often, though not always, eliminate the need to use a dictionary.
Part 1 Synonym and Antonym Clues(利用同义词/反义词猜测词义)
1.1 A General Introduction
Synonym are words or phrases that are similar in meaning to other words or phrases.
Antonym are words or phrases that have opposite meanings to other words or phrases.
1.2 Synonym Clues
Vocabulary Clues
like, or, and
Punctuation Clues
— ; ( )
No Mark
Examples:
Like clever David, Richard was very intelligent.
The boy was maimed, or disfigured, as a result of the accident.
New Year’s Day is thought of as a good time to make New Year’s resolutions—the decisions to do better in the year just beginning than you did in the year that just ended.
1.3 Antonym Clues
I.Vocabulary Clues
while, or, but, however, whereas, though, although, unlike, as opposed to, on the other hand, etc.
II.Punctuation Clues
— ;
III.No Mark
Examples:
Linda manages money judiciously while I manage money unwisely.
Although the Greeks were said to be democratic, slaves and women had few rights.
Part 2 Illustration Clues(利用示例/列举猜测词义)
2.1 A General Introduction
Illustration means that the writer gives examples to explain or clarify the word.
2.2 Clues and Examples
I. Signal words
for example/instance, such as, including, through
Examples:
Many debilities of old age, including loss of hearing, poor eyesight, and diseases such as arthritis, cannot be treated medically.
I can trace my ancestry through my parents, grandparents and even to my great grandparents.
Unconditional responses occur naturally in all humans, such as heartbeat, blinking, and breathing.
II. Punctuation Clues
; — : ( )
Examples:
The play contained a variety of heartrending events: the death of a young child, the suicide of her mother, and the murder of an old sister.
Although my grandfather is eighty-two, he is far from infirm; he is active, ambitious, and healthy.
Part 3 Definition Clues(利用定义/解释猜测词义)
3.1 A General Introduction
A definition is a statement giving the meaning of a word or expression.
3.2 Clues and Examples
I. Signal words
is, is defined, refers to, means, that is, or, and, like, as, etc.
Examples:
Trademark refers to a brand that has been given legal protection.
The course outline, or syllabus, gives important information about the requirements of the course.
II. Punctuation Clues
; — : ( )
Examples:
Nest building in birds is an example of an instinct, a pattern of behavior that doesn’t have to be learned.
She was interested in studying psychokinesis—the ability to move an object without touching it.
III.Grammatical Devices
appositive clause, attributive clause
Examples:
This film is about a spy whose work is to steal secret documents from the country.
They received assurance that the Union would stand by them.
Part 4 Reasoning and Common Sense Clues(利用推理/常识猜测词义)
4.1 A General Introduction
Reasoning Methods
Deductive vs. Inductive
Information Examples
Analogy
4.2 Clues and Examples
Examples:
(1) The woolen clothes will shrink in the wash, so buy a large size when you want them.
(2) The elderly patient used a cane to help the walk.
(3) One morning a neighbor awakened John at six o’clock by cutting down a tree with a saw.
Exercise 1:
1.During the concert the audience was quiet, but afterward the crowd became boisterous.
2.Unlike the well-mannered John, Jim was rather uncouth.
3.Orthopterans, such as crickets, grasshoppers, and cockroaches, thrive in damp conditions.
4.Horology is the science of measuring time.
5.Folkways are informal customs regarding the correct way to behave.
6.My father is a versatile man; he is a successful businessman, sportsman and well-known author.
7. At the age of seventy-seven, Mr. George was still playing a skillful game of tennis. He jogged four miles each day and seldom missed his daily swim. For a man of his age he was extremely robust.
(2023年新高考I卷C篇)
Part one concludes by introducing my suggested method for adopting this philosophy: the digital declutter. This process requires you to step away from optional online activities for thirty days. At the end of the thirty days, you will then add back a small number of carefully chosen online activities that you believe will provide massive benefits to the things you value.
8.What does the underlined word “declutter” in paragraph 3 mean
A. Clear-up. B. Add-on. C. Check-in. D. Take-over.
(2023年新高考II卷C篇)
In this “book of books,” artworks are selected and arranged in a way that emphasizes these connections between different eras and cultures. We see scenes of children learning to read at home or at school, with the book as a focus for relations between the generations. Adults are portrayed (描绘) alone in many settings and poses —absorbed in a volume, deep in thought or lost in a moment of leisure. These scenes may have been painted hundreds of years ago, but they record moments we can all relate to.
9.What do the underlined words “relate to” in paragraph 2 mean
A. Understand. B. Paint. C. Seize. D. Transform.
(2023年全国甲卷B篇)
Terri Boltonis a dab hand when it comes to DIY (do-it-yourself). Skilled at putting up shelves and piecing together furniture, she never pays someone else to do a job she can do herself.
10.Which is closest in meaning to “a dab hand” in paragraph 1
A.An artist. B.A winner. C.A specialist. D.A pioneer.
(2023届长郡中学高三模拟)
Cost is another issue that may discourage people switching to electric power. But some countries offer incentive, such as cutting prices by reducing import taxes, and not charging for road tax and parking. Some also provide exclusive lanes for electric cars to be driven on, overtaking traditional cars which might be stuck in jams.
11.What does the underlined word “incentive” mean in paragraph 3
A.compensation B.allowance C.encouragement D.Privilege
Exercise 2:
1. A democracy is a form of government in which the people effectively participate.
2. When a gas is cooled it changes to liquid at its condensation point.
3. Conductive thinking involves drawing a conclusion from a set of general principles.
4. Interrogation or questioning can be psychologically and emotionally draining.
5. Perceiving, learning and thinking are examples of cognitive processes.
6. To substantiate his theory, Mr. Watson offered experimental evidence, case study reports, testimony of patients, and a log of observational notes.
7. Psychological disturbances are sometimes traceable to a particular trauma in childhood. For example, the death of a parent may produce long-range psychological effects.
8. Most members of Western society marry only one person at a time, but in other cultures polygamy is common and acceptable.
9. The mayor was very dogmatic about governmental policy, while the assistant mayor was more flexible in his interpretations.
10. I loathe cats even though most of my friends love them.
11. My unscrupulous uncle tries to sell as an antique a rocking chair he bought just last year.
12. My sister’s life style always angered and disappointed my mother; yet, she redeemed herself by doing special favors for my mother’s friends.
13. The wind howling around the corner of the house that is rumored to have ghosts made an eerie sound.
14. We burst our laughing at the ludicrous sight of the basketball team dressed up as cheerleaders.
15. The market stretches all the way along the street.
16. Efforts have been made to wipe out poverty in the rural areas.
17. I bought this pair of shoes five years ago, and they are so durable that I’m still wearing them now.
18. The idea of allowing the players to wear the company’s logo may win approval.
19. On the top of the mountain, I had a feeling of exhilaration when I saw the breath-taking views around me.
20. I tossed and turned on bed all night, unable to fall asleep.