OBJECTIVE #1Word Meaning

1.Unfamiliar words and phrases

2.Figurative language

Vocabulary questions are presented in 2 ways:

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU ARE READING AND RUN INTO A WORD YOU DON’T KNOW?

Unfamiliar words and phrases

Before you go to a dictionary, use one or both of the following strategies:

Context clues

Word Structure

Context Clues

Can you tell what this is?

Without context, this picture has little meaning, but when you look around it, it is easier to understand

Just like words…they may be unfamiliar until we look before and after the word for clues

Now you see the whole picture, and the smaller parts make sense

Remember to check all of your word meaning answers…. By replacing the unfamiliar word with a

“prediction” word to see if it fits or makes sense. “Try it on”

Example: He acted like a buffoon at the party by telling jokes and laughing too loudly and too often.

(prediction word: fool)

Word Structure

Use word structure, that is study the unfamiliar word’s prefix, suffix, or root word and use the meanings to figure out the definition of the word.

Example: I’m tired of his infantile behavior. When will he ever grow up?

(note the word infant within the word)

Use your language skills. Are you bilingual? By using your knowledge of the Spanish

language and recognizing Latin root words, you are at an advantage

Example: He’s looking very pensive. I wonder what he’s up to?

(Pensive, as in pensativo)Example: I have a serious dilemma. What

should I do? (dilemma, as in dilema)

Context Clues….look around the mystery word

Word Structure….look inside the mystery word

FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE

Watch out!

The author says one thing but means another!

•He’s as stubborn as a mule.•She’s going to kill me if she finds out.•Money talks.•This backpack weighs a ton•We walked forever.We walked forever.•I’m starvingI’m starving

ExampleExample

1.1. In the selection, the writer uses the phrase the In the selection, the writer uses the phrase the round-cheeked maidenround-cheeked maiden to refer to: to refer to:

A.A. a clouda cloud

B.B. the windthe wind

C.C. a young womana young woman

D.D. the sunthe sun

THEA Example1. In the selection, the writer uses the phrase

the round-cheeked maiden to refer to:A. a cloudB. the windC. a young womanD. the sun

The fiery ball sank lower and lower in the sky. For a The fiery ball sank lower and lower in the sky. For a moment, it was a strangemoment, it was a strange, , round cheeked maidenround cheeked maiden with brilliant curly locks blowing out behind her in the with brilliant curly locks blowing out behind her in the wind. She floated, suspended above the rippled wind. She floated, suspended above the rippled carpet of clouds, then silently slipped from sight.carpet of clouds, then silently slipped from sight.

Always plug your choice into the paragraph to make sure in makes sense.