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Myriora English › Words › Chapter 2: How words relate

Using context clues

Ages 9–11Chapter 2 · Lesson 8

In this lesson

Your turn

The path was so narrow and treacherous that we held on to the rope at every step. What does treacherous mean?

Show the answer

Dangerous! We held on to the rope at every step, so the path wasn't safe.

The common mistake

Here's a common mistake. Guessing from just one word nearby. The cake was so scrumptious that we ate every crumb. Some people see cake, and guess that scrumptious means sweet. But we ate every crumb, so it means delicious.

Try it at home

Word detective: when reading together, stop at one new word a page. Guess its meaning from the clues around it, try it in the sentence, then check in a dictionary.

Read the whole lesson

Hello, and welcome to Myriora English! What do you do when you meet a word you don't know? Don't skip it. Be a detective, and look for clues.

Clue one: the words around it. After the long walk, the parched children gulped down their water. They gulped water after a long walk, so parched must mean very thirsty.

Clue two: the parts inside the word. The flooded tunnel was impassable. Im means not, and pass means go through. So impassable means nobody can get through.

Last step: put your guess back in the sentence. After the long walk, the very thirsty children gulped down their water. It makes sense, so your guess is probably right. Then check in a dictionary if you can.

Let's try one together. The kitten was so timid that it hid under the bed whenever anyone came in. What does timid mean? Say it out loud!

Shy, and easily frightened! The clue is that it hid whenever anyone came in. Well done if you worked that out!

Here's a common mistake. Guessing from just one word nearby. The cake was so scrumptious that we ate every crumb. Some people see cake, and guess that scrumptious means sweet. But we ate every crumb, so it means delicious.

Your turn! The path was so narrow and treacherous that we held on to the rope at every step. What does treacherous mean? Pick the right card. You've got eight seconds, or pause the video. Go!

Time's up! Dangerous! We held on to the rope at every step, so the path wasn't safe.

Quick review. Look at the words around the new word. Look for parts you know inside it. Make a guess, and put it back in the sentence. Then check in a dictionary. See you next time!