🔍 Detailed Explanation of Find Words Using Context
Finding and understanding the meaning of words using context clues is an important skill in Year 6 English. It helps you become a better reader and improves your understanding of texts. When you come across a word you don’t know, you can look at the sentences or paragraphs around it to figure out what it means. This is called using context clues.
📚 What Are Context Clues?
Context clues are bits of information in the text that help you guess the meaning of an unfamiliar word. These clues appear in the same sentence or nearby sentences and give you hints about the word. Using context clues is useful because it means you don’t always have to stop and look up every new word in a dictionary.
🧩 Types of Context Clues
- Definition clues: The text directly explains or defines the word.
Example: “The ancient amphitheatre, a large open-air venue, was packed with cheering spectators.”
Here, the words “a large open-air venue” explain what an amphitheatre is. - Synonym clues: A word with a similar meaning appears near the unfamiliar word.
Example: “The scenery was beautiful and breathtaking.”
The word “breathtaking” means something very beautiful, similar to “beautiful.” - Antonym clues: A word with the opposite meaning is nearby to show contrast.
Example: “Unlike his shy sister, Tom was very outgoing.”
The word “outgoing” means the opposite of “shy.” - Example clues: Examples are given to help explain the word.
Example: “Nocturnal animals, like owls and bats, are awake at night.”
“Owls and bats” are examples that show what nocturnal animals are. - Inference clues: You use information from the whole sentence or paragraph to work out the meaning.
Example: “She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself as the icy wind blew.”
From this, you can guess that “shivered” means to shake because of cold.
⭐ Why Are Context Clues Important?
Using context clues helps you understand texts better and faster because you don’t have to stop reading every time you find a new word. It builds your vocabulary and helps with comprehension, which means you can understand the story or information more easily. It also makes reading more enjoyable and gives you confidence when reading harder books or tricky subjects.
✏️ Practice Example for Year 6
Read the sentence:
“The explorers were wary of the dangerous jungle, which was filled with many hidden dangers.”
- The word “wary” might be new to you.
- Look at the clues: “dangerous jungle” and “hidden dangers” suggest something about being careful.
- You can guess that “wary” means being cautious or careful.
This kind of practice will improve your reading skills and prepare you for more advanced texts in Year 7 and beyond.
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Remember, whenever you find a tricky word, stop and look for context clues nearby. Ask yourself what the rest of the sentence or paragraph is saying, and use those clues to work out the meaning. This technique is a helpful skill for any Year 6 student learning English in the UK! 🇬🇧
✍️ 20 Examination-Style Questions with Answers on Finding Words Using Context Clues for Year 6 English
Here are 20 examination-style questions to help Year 6 students practise finding words using context clues in sentences and paragraphs. Each question comes with an answer and explanation to support understanding, perfectly suited to Key Stage 2 English and the UK National Curriculum.
Question 1
Read the sentence:
“The ancient tree was gnarled, its twisted branches reaching out like crooked fingers.”
What does the word gnarled most likely mean?
a) smooth
b) twisted and knotted
c) young and slender
d) straight
Answer: b) twisted and knotted
Explanation: The sentence describes the branches as “twisted” and “crooked,” which helps us understand that “gnarled” means twisted and knotted.
Question 2
In the sentence, “The boy’s face was radiant with happiness,” what does radiant mean?
a) shining brightly
b) sad
c) tired
d) pale
Answer: a) shining brightly
Explanation: The clue is “with happiness,” which suggests the boy’s face is bright and glowing, so “radiant” means shining brightly.
Question 3
What does the word sturdy mean in this sentence?
“The sturdy table did not wobble even when we leaned on it.”
a) weak
b) strong and stable
c) broken
d) delicate
Answer: b) strong and stable
Explanation: Because the table did not wobble, it must be strong and stable, which is the meaning of “sturdy.”
Question 4
Find the meaning of hesitated in this sentence:
“She hesitated before answering the question.”
a) answered quickly
b) paused, unsure
c) shouted loudly
d) walked away
Answer: b) paused, unsure
Explanation: “Hesitated” means to pause or stop briefly, usually when unsure how to act.
Question 5
In “The fog was dense, covering the roads and making it hard to see,” what does dense mean?
a) thin
b) thick
c) colourful
d) bright
Answer: b) thick
Explanation: Because the fog made it hard to see, it must have been thick, so “dense” means thick.
Question 6
What does glimmer mean in this sentence?
“A small glimmer of light shone through the curtains.”
a) a bright flash
b) a faint shine
c) total darkness
d) a loud noise
Answer: b) a faint shine
Explanation: “Glimmer” means a small or faint light, shown here by “small” and “shone through.”
Question 7
What is the meaning of reluctantly in the sentence?
“He reluctantly agreed to help her with the project.”
a) happily
b) needed to
c) without wanting to
d) quickly
Answer: c) without wanting to
Explanation: “Reluctantly” means doing something but not wanting to, shown by the tone in the sentence.
Question 8
In the context, what does bustling mean?
“The bustling market was filled with people talking and laughing.”
a) quiet and empty
b) busy and noisy
c) cold and windy
d) slow and sleepy
Answer: b) busy and noisy
Explanation: Because the market had lots of people and noise, “bustling” means busy and noisy.
Question 9
What does glistening mean here?
“The dew was glistening on the grass after the rain.”
a) dull and dry
b) shining with light
c) frozen solid
d) muddy and wet
Answer: b) shining with light
Explanation: “Glistening” means shining or sparkling, shown by the light reflecting on the dew.
Question 10
Find the meaning of eager in this sentence:
“The children were eager to start the school trip.”
a) bored
b) excited and keen
c) tired
d) nervous
Answer: b) excited and keen
Explanation: “Eager” means excited to do something, as shown by their enthusiasm.
Question 11
In the sentence “She walked through the desolate streets, feeling lonely,” what does desolate mean?
a) crowded and lively
b) empty and lonely
c) clean and bright
d) noisy and fun
Answer: b) empty and lonely
Explanation: The feeling of loneliness and the description clues tell us “desolate” means empty and lonely.
Question 12
What does fierce mean in the phrase, “The fierce wind blew the leaves around”?
a) gentle
b) weak
c) strong and violent
d) warm
Answer: c) strong and violent
Explanation: “Fierce” means strong and violent, supported by the action of leaves being blown around.
Question 13
In the sentence “He was puzzled by the strange message,” what does puzzled mean?
a) confused
b) happy
c) bored
d) excited
Answer: a) confused
Explanation: “Puzzled” means confused or not sure, which fits with the word “strange message.”
Question 14
What does fragile mean:
“The vase is very fragile, so be careful not to drop it.”
a) hard to break
b) easy to break
c) big
d) heavy
Answer: b) easy to break
Explanation: Saying “be careful not to drop it” means the item is delicate and easy to break, which is the meaning of “fragile.”
Question 15
In the phrase “She had a melancholy look on her face,” what does melancholy mean?
a) happy
b) sad
c) angry
d) excited
Answer: b) sad
Explanation: “Melancholy” means sad or thoughtful sadness, shown by the look on her face.
Question 16
What does stifling mean in this sentence?
“The classroom was hot and stifling on the summer day.”
a) fresh and cool
b) stuffy and uncomfortable
c) noisy
d) bright
Answer: b) stuffy and uncomfortable
Explanation: “Stifling” means making it hard to breathe because of heat or lack of air.
Question 17
In “The kitten was timid and hid behind the sofa,” what does timid mean?
a) brave
b) shy and fearful
c) angry
d) hungry
Answer: b) shy and fearful
Explanation: The kitten hiding suggests it was shy or scared, which is the meaning of “timid.”
Question 18
What does whispered mean here?
“He whispered the secret so no one else could hear.”
a) shouted
b) spoke quietly
c) sang loudly
d) wrote down
Answer: b) spoke quietly
Explanation: “Whispered” means to speak softly so others cannot hear.
Question 19
What does glum mean in the sentence “He looked glum after losing the game”?
a) happy
b) sad or gloomy
c) excited
d) tired
Answer: b) sad or gloomy
Explanation: “Glum” means feeling sad or gloomy, shown by losing the game and his look.
Question 20
Find the meaning of relentless in:
“The relentless rain kept pouring for hours without stopping.”
a) stopping often
b) never ending
c) weak and light
d) warm and gentle
Answer: b) never ending
Explanation: Since the rain kept pouring without stopping, “relentless” means nonstop or never ending.
These questions help Year 6 students use sentences and paragraphs to find the meaning of unfamiliar words by reading around those words. This skill is essential for understanding and improving vocabulary in line with Key Stage 2 English learning goals. 📖✨
