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2. Introduction of self (full name and section).
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Glenn M. Sionosa
Sionosa.glenn@g.cu.edu.ph
 Module 1:
Developing your Vocabulary
Grade Level and Strand: 11 ABM
Duration: One Week

Essential Topic:

1. Context Clues
➢ Definition clues
➢ Contrast clues
➢ General clues
2. Word Structure

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this module, students are expected to:

1. recognize the meaning of a word using context clues;

2. identify the meaning of a word through an analysis of its structure.

Expected Output:

1. An outline of their drawing based on their chosen word in

the module jumpstart.
 Choose one from the given words below and draw three items found in
your home that relates to that word. Think outside the box and be creative. (Send
your work in a word document file. Take a picture of your drawings and insert the
picture)

wisdom love Date

1. 2.

3.

A. Write your explanations why you chose those things to represent the word that you’ve
chosen.

1. ______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
 3. ______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________

Vocabulary refers to the collection of words that a person knows and uses. Vocabulary
development is the process of acquiring new words. The size of a child’s vocabulary between
preschool and first grade is often a strong indicator of their reading comprehension in later
grades. That’s why it’s so important to focus on building vocabulary skills throughout reading
instruction. There are different strategies that we can use in enhancing reading skills.

Why do you think improving one’s vocabulary is important?

According to Steven Stahl (2005), “Vocabulary knowledge is knowledge; the knowledge

of a word not only implies a definition, but also implies how that word fits into the world.” We
continue to develop vocabulary throughout our lives. Words are powerful. Words open up
possibilities, and of course, that’s what we want for all of our students.

Context clues are hints that the author gives to help define a difficult or unusual word.
The clue may appear within the same sentence as the word to which it refers, or it may follow in
a preceding sentence.

There are at least three kinds of context clues that are quite common:

1. Synonym (or repeat context clue): An author will use more than one word that means the
same thing. For example, there may be a complex word followed by a restatement using
a simpler word in the same or following sentence: Felipe is a miser. He’s always been
cheap.
2. Antonym (or contrast context clue): The text may include a word or words that have the
opposite meaning, which can reveal the meaning of an unknown term: Stella has always
dressed flamboyantly. I’ve never seen her wear a dull color.

3. General Clues: Making sense of a word’s meaning by largely depending on your common
sense requires you to use knowledge and experience. For example:
The monkey’s vociferous chatter made me wish. I had earplugs.

A. Synonym or Definition Clues

 In definition clues, the meaning of an unfamiliar word is given in the sentence if a similar word
is also used to make the meaning clearer. Signal words for synonym clues are or, in other words,
that is, by this we mean, that is to say, and also known as.

The most basic, and perhaps helpful, type of context clues are synonyms. If you can't
decipher a meaning, adding a few synonyms, or words with similar meanings, is a surefire way
to point to a word's meaning. Let's take a look at a few examples:

The manager wanted a weekly inspection, which is a methodical examination of all the
equipment.
Diane was lethargic; she didn't have the energy to get out of bed.
The dates are listed in chronological order; they start at the beginning and end with the
last event.
The doctor's writing was utterly illegible; no one could read those scribbles.
She heard the cry of the banshee, a spirit that alludes to the death of a family member.
He knew his future was precarious and likely to fall apart.

B. Antonym or Contrast Clues

In antonym or contrast clues, the meaning of an unfamiliar word is given in the sentence if
an opposite word is used to suggest the meaning. Signal words for antonym clues are but,
however, on the other hand, nevertheless, yet, and in contrast.

Sometimes, the best way to understand something is to understand what not to do or what
something isn't. In the same way, an antonym, or an opposite, can convey meaning. If you
point out the differences, you can come to understand each component better.

Marty is gregarious, unlike his brother who is quiet and shy.

This painting of the landscape is picturesque, while the one of the old house is just plain
ugly.
The feral cat would not let us pet him, unlike our friendly cat.
Our sweltering summer days were quickly replaced by the cold flashes of fall.
She was virtuous, unlike her evil and conniving brother.

C. General Clues

These types of context clues are a little more subtle. They usually require readers to look
beyond the sentence they’re reading for understanding, sometimes even at the entire passage,
the topic of the piece or the illustrations. If other, more specific context clues are missing, looking
for inference clues is your child’s best bet.

Paul knew he just made a cultural faux pas when he kissed the Muslim woman on the
cheek and he was met with a dead, stunned stare!
Coyotes have a voracious appetite. They eat insects, lizards, snakes, rabbits, squirrels,
grasses and even fruit.
 You should be able to analyze word structure so that you will understand many English
words. A word in the English language may have three parts: the prefix, the root word, and the
suffix.

1. Prefix is a letter or a group of letters attached to the beginning of a word (or

word root) that partly indicates its meaning. For example, the word prefix itself
begins with the prefix pre-, which generally means "before" or "in front of."
2. Suffixes are a letter or group of letters added to the ending of words to change
their meaning or function. It usually change a word from one form or part of
speech to another form.
3. Root word is a word or word part that can form the basis of new words through
the addition of prefixes and suffixes. Understanding the meanings of common
roots can help you work out the meanings of new words as you encounter them.
COMMON PREFIXES

4.
For more discussions about the topic, check the following references:

1. Vocabulary game: https://bit.ly/30q0dlm

2. Prefixes and their meanings: https://bit.ly/2OHBVh9
3. Suffixes and their meanings: https://bit.ly/2WBcwdq
4. Root words: https://bit.ly/2Bfqni2

Give the definition of the word through an analysis of the structure. Based the reading articles I
provided in the section “check out”.

Example:

Applicant – a person who applies for a job or something

1. Heterosexual - _______________________________________________________

2. Autobiography -_____________________________________________________

3. Circumvent -_________________________________________________________

4. Cavalcade -_________________________________________________________

5. Anhydrous -__________________________________________________________
 Improving your vocabulary increases your chance of understanding academic
texts properly and quickly. You can use mobile applications as tools to improve your
vocabulary. Download these applications such as dictionary, thesaurus, and games to
your smartphone or tablet computer.

Another way of improving your vocabulary is to use context clues. There are
several types of context clues such as example clues, synonym clues, antonym clues,
and general clues. These clues help you guess the meaning of an unfamiliar word while
reading, so that you don’t have to stop and open a dictionary.

You can also improve your vocabulary by understanding word parts. You can
know word meanings based on the meaning of the prefix, the root word, and the suffix.
Word meanings may either be denotative or connotative in nature. The denotative
meaning of word refers to exact meaning. But a word may also have a connotative
meaning, that is, the meaning of the word is based on the cultural or emotional context
of a group or particular place.

A. Identify the meaning of each underlined word based on example clues.

1. She has a penchant for books. She goes to the bookstore every week to buy her
favorite novels. She also frequently visits the library.
penchant=_________________________________________________
2. Technology is ambivalent. For instance, it can be used to make life easier, but it
can also be used to destroy human life.
ambivalent=________________________________________________
3. Human lives and properties are lost when fortuitous events such as earthquakes
and typhoon happen.
fortuitous=___________________________________________________

B. Read each sentence carefully. Then identify the meaning of the underlined word.
Use the antonyms as your clues.
1. Many students nowadays are very much aware of their right but are oblivious of
their responsibilities.
oblivious=________________________________________________________
2. In contrast to fiction writing, research requires veracity of data through careful and
accurate collection , analysis, and interpretation of results.
veracity=____________________________________________________________
3. Unlike his obnoxious brother, Steve is a charming gentlemen who always sees to it
that everything he does pleases everyone.
obnoxious=___________________________________________________________
Here is a recap of all tasks for this module.

Have drawn 3 things that could relate to your chosen word.

Have read and understood the discussions
Have answered the activity and homework
Have read all the links