In the paragraph in the figure above, the word key is used in three different ways.
“One key on the piano in the parlor was missing.” In this sentence, the word key is used to refer to that part of a piano that is pushed down to make a musical sound.
“Jason was sure the key to solving the mystery would be found in the broken piano key.” In other words, Jason thought the broken piano was a clue.
“Millie was just as sure the mystery would be solved by finding the key to the shed.” Millie, on the other hand, thought an object, a key that unlocked the shed, might solve the mystery.
Reflect and Respond
Now you try it. See if you can use context clues to determine the meaning of the words in boldface type.
● Scott is a recalcitrant boy—always defiant and difficult to manage.
(According to the context, recalcitrant means defiant and difficult to manage.)
● Jeremy is an effusive football fan. He’s always cheering loudly and demonstrating his enthusiasm. (Effusive means overly expressive and enthusiastic.)
● Carolyn has been referred to as an erudite woman because she expresses herself so intelligently. (Erudite means learned or educated.)
● He had a surfeit of laundry. He couldn’t fit it all into five washing machines.
(Surfeit means an overabundant supply or excess.)
How did you do? Were you able to determine the meanings of the words? Use this method as you read anything—a book, a magazine, your schoolwork. See if you can use context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words. Then look them up in a dictionary
