What does the term 'context clues' refer to?

The term 'context clues' refers to hints found within a text that help readers deduce the meaning of unfamiliar words. This concept is essential for developing reading comprehension skills, as it encourages readers to look at surrounding words, phrases, or sentences to infer meanings. When a reader encounters a word they don’t know, they can often find helpful clues in the way it is used in the sentence or paragraph. These clues might come from synonyms, antonyms, examples, or explanations provided nearby, leading to a better understanding of the text as a whole.

In reading instruction, teaching students to identify and utilize context clues is a key strategy to improve vocabulary acquisition. It empowers them to become more independent readers, reducing reliance on external resources such as dictionaries. By learning to analyze context clues, students can engage more deeply with the text and enhance their overall comprehension skills.