Question

When they encounter unfamiliar words during be a reading activity, students should asked to -------------

• A. speak words softly while reading
• B. read silently
• C. guess the meaning from the context
• D. read aloud the word

Answer 1

Answer:

C. guess the meaning from the context

Contextual Clues and Vocabulary Acquisition

• Inferential Reading Skills: Students are encouraged to develop inferential reading skills, which involve using surrounding words and sentences to deduce the meaning of unknown vocabulary. This is a fundamental strategy for comprehension and a frequently tested skill in standardized exams.
• Active Engagement: Guessing the meaning from context forces active engagement with the text, rather than passive reading. This active process aids in retention and deeper understanding.
• Utilizing Syntactic and Semantic Clues:
  • Syntactic Clues: Analyzing the grammatical role of the unknown word (e.g., noun, verb, adjective) can provide hints about its meaning. For instance, if a word appears after an article like 'a' or 'an', it's likely a noun.
  • Semantic Clues: Examining the overall meaning of the sentence or paragraph, including synonyms, antonyms, examples, or definitions embedded within the text, helps in deciphering the word's significance.
• Building Vocabulary Efficiently: This method allows students to build a robust vocabulary organically through reading, which is more effective for long-term retention than rote memorization of word lists.
• Exam Relevance: Many literature comprehension passages in competitive exams, such as GRE, GMAT, and various civil services exams, require candidates to infer the meaning of words based on their context. Success in these sections often hinges on this ability.
• Contrast with Other Strategies:
  • Looking up in a Dictionary: While useful, immediately resorting to a dictionary disrupts reading flow and doesn't train inferential skills. It's a secondary strategy.
  • Asking for Help: While beneficial, relying solely on asking others hinders independent learning and problem-solving capabilities.
• Example Scenario: If a sentence reads, 'The ubiquitous smartphone has become an essential part of modern life,' a reader can infer that 'ubiquitous' means 'found everywhere' or 'common' because the smartphone's essentiality is linked to its widespread presence.