What does "context clues" refer to?

The term "context clues" refers to hints or information provided within a text that help readers deduce the meanings of unfamiliar words or phrases. Context clues can come in various forms, including definitions, examples, or descriptions that surround the unfamiliar term. By paying attention to the words and sentences around an unknown word, readers can gather insights that lead them to understand the word's meaning without needing to consult a dictionary.

Utilizing context clues is an important reading strategy, as it encourages readers to engage with the text actively, improving comprehension and vocabulary skills. For instance, if a sentence includes the word "arduous" alongside phrases that describe a difficult task, the reader can infer that "arduous" likely means something related to being hard or challenging. This method of determining meaning enriches the reading experience and enables smoother comprehension of the text overall.

In contrast, visual images provide supplemental information but do not directly assist in understanding unfamiliar vocabulary, footnotes and citations serve academic purposes but are not primarily for deciphering word meanings, and glossaries give detailed word definitions but are not a part of the text itself.