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TOEFL Reading: Context Clues

TOEFL Reading: Context Clues. Ground Rules. Please arrive on time Keep your cell phones on silent or off Ask questions Actively participate Have fun!. Overview of the TOEFL Reading Section. 3-5 reading passages Each passage 700 words long – academic English 12-14 questions per passage

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TOEFL Reading: Context Clues

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  1. TOEFL Reading: Context Clues

  2. Ground Rules Please arrive on time Keep your cell phones on silent or off Ask questions Actively participate Have fun!

  3. Overview of the TOEFL Reading Section • 3-5 reading passages • Each passage 700 words long – academic English • 12-14 questions per passage • 20 minutes per passage • Total of 30 points

  4. Grazed

  5. The cows grazed on the green grass.

  6. How did you determine the definition of the word? What were some clues in the sentence that helped you determine the definition?

  7. Context Clues Context = Surrounding words Context Clue = Information from surrounding words.

  8. How to use Context Clues: Determine the definition. Read information around the word. Look for synonyms Look for the topic of sentence

  9. 1. Determine the Definition • Determine the definition of a word by looking at the way it’s used in the sentence. • “In a government election, the incumbent generally has a strong advantage over a newcomer. A person who is already in office and thus has a certain degree of prominence has a better chance of being elected than does someone who is unknown to the electorate.”

  10. 2. Connotation • Read the information around the word to try to figure out the meaning. • For example: “Andrea was a very impertinent young lady. She was so rude that she talked while her teacher was explaining a lesson. She showed no respect for other students. Her manners were very poor. Even her parents thought that Andrea was impolite.”

  11. 3. Look for Synonyms • Check for synonyms or definitions in the sentence. • If you find a synonym or definition, reread the sentence with the new word. • “Is there a word nearby that means the same thing?” • For example: • “When she realized she had toilet paper stuck to the bottom of her shoe, she was utterly mortified and completely embarrassed.”

  12. “When she realized she had toilet paper stuck to the bottom of her shoe, she was utterly mortified and completely embarrassed.” • From the sentence, you can guess that mortified and embarrassed are synonyms. • Use your synonym while reading to determine if it is defined correctly. • “When she realized she had toilet paper stuck to the bottom of her shoe, she was utterly embarrassed and completely mortified.”

  13. 4. Using the Topic of the Sentence • What is the topic of the sentence? • For example: • When dealing with depression, many people describe their mood as melancholy. • I’m not sure what melancholy means, but I can guess that it is related to sadness since the topic is depression. • Remember: guesses may not always be correct, but they help you determine the meaning.

  14. Resources • Practice Using Context Clues – The Pearson Longman Vocabulary Website • http://wps.ablongman.com/long_licklider_vocabulary_2/6/1626/416421.cw/ • ETS TOEFL iBT Test: Improving Your Reading Skills • http://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/scores/improve/advice_reading_high

  15. Questions? Please feel free to email me if you have any questions about the TOEFL exam.

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