To determine meaning of an unfamiliar word from context, what is a first step?

To determine meaning of an unfamiliar word from context, what is a first step?

• A. Use surrounding words to infer meaning
• B. Memorize the word
• C. Look only at the final sentence
• D. Skip it

Answer: (A)

When you’re trying to figure out an unfamiliar word from context, your first move is to use the surrounding words to infer meaning. Look for clues in the sentence and nearby sentences—descriptions, examples, contrasts, or synonyms—that hint what the word means. Substituting the unknown with a word that fits the context is a quick check to see if your guess makes sense and helps you stay engaged with the text. This approach keeps you from needing to memorize the word or skip ahead hoping for a clear answer later. If the clues aren’t enough, you can then use other strategies, but starting with context clues is the most effective first step.

When you’re trying to figure out an unfamiliar word from context, your first move is to use the surrounding words to infer meaning. Look for clues in the sentence and nearby sentences—descriptions, examples, contrasts, or synonyms—that hint what the word means. Substituting the unknown with a word that fits the context is a quick check to see if your guess makes sense and helps you stay engaged with the text.

This approach keeps you from needing to memorize the word or skip ahead hoping for a clear answer later. If the clues aren’t enough, you can then use other strategies, but starting with context clues is the most effective first step.