Inferred Word Meanings Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: L.8.4.D

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

There will be many times that you will come across a word or phrases that you are not familiar with at all. There are several ways to deduce the meaning of the word. You can often just restate the sentence to yourself with removing the word in question. Often the set context of the sentence and the words that surround it can help use understand the purpose of a word or phrase. These worksheets will have students bouncing on ideas to understand new words to them.

Inferred Word Meanings Worksheets:

What Do You Think It Means? – This is somewhat of an introduction to new SAT format we are seeing now.

Verifying Word Meanings – Make sure not to just paraphrase. Add your own zest!

Where's That Dictionary? – Advanced students may not need any references for this worksheet.

Is That Right? – You will need a reference tool for this.

Tough Words – Many of these words will be familiar.

Deconstructing a Baby's Cry – Read the passage, paying special attention to the underlined words.

That's Really Miserables – Use context clues to determine the meaning of each underlined word.

Man! That's Unfamiliar! – Many of these words are unfamiliar for college educated adults too!

From Context to Dictionary – Verify your answer by looking up each word in the dictionary.

Dictionary Map – Use the letters to label each part of the dictionary entry.

True or False? – If what the sentence says is true, write a T on the line. If what the sentence says is false, write an F on the line.

Meaning from Context – Read the passage. Then answer the questions.

Can You Clear That Up For Me? – Use a dictionary to determine which word in parentheses is the best fit for each sentence.

The Centaur – Fix your answer to these questions.

Dig That! – Decide what you think each words means. Then use a dictionary to clarify the meaning of each word.

How to Infer the Meaning of a Word?


Infer means to use your prior knowledge to guess what you do not know. The idea of inferring the meaning of a word makes reading more delightful, unchallenging, and comfortable. It is noticed that brilliant readers always prefer to infer the meaning of a word while reading. Inferring the words help one a lot in reading, writing as well as in their speech. Though, the technique to infer the meaning of a word is bit complex but given below are some tips that will help beginners get an idea regarding how to infer the meaning of a word:


Read the Context


From the context of any word, try to grab the clues related to the meaning of the word to be inferred. Word choices used in context will help a lot to infer the meaning of a word. Carefully read the surrounding text of a word. This will help you to establish an idea of the meaning of the word.


Look for Prefixes and Suffixes


If the word to be inferred contains prefixes or suffixes, it will be easy for you to make inferences. Understand the meaning of prefix or suffix first and then use your best efforts and knowledge to infer the meaning of the remaining word.


Divide the Words into Parts


For making inferences of a long and complex word, it is advisable to divide the word into smaller parts. This will help to pronounce the word correctly and then the small parts and their pronunciation will help to guess the correct meaning of a word.


Use a Dictionary


While reading, it is always advised to keep your dictionary with you. First, use your previous knowledge to infer the meaning of the word but if you fail at it, then use a dictionary to understand the meaning of the word and note down the meaning for future use.


Tips for Inferring the Meaning of a New Word


Inferring is the technique to use your previous knowledge or to guess what you do not know. This technique is widely useful and important to any text's understanding and therefore, the students must have an idea regarding how to infer the meaning of a new word. The technique of making inferences is simple yet some students face a little difficulty in inferring the meaning of a word. Given below are some tips that will help one a lot in inferring the meaning of a new word:


Reading the Context


Context is mainly words surrounding the word to be inferred. In inferring the meaning of a new word, context plays a vital role. For making inferences, search for clues in the context and explain these clues, explain the synonyms, antonyms, and appositives that are used in the context. Use this explanation to infer the meaning of a new word.


Apportioning the Word


If the word that is to be inferred is hard and long, divide the word into smaller chunks. This will not only help you to pronounce the word correctly but will also help to make an accurate guess about the meaning of a new word through its roots and affixes.


Look for Affixes and Roots


If the word to be inferred contains an affix and a root, it will get easy to infer that word. Understand the meaning of the affix, either prefix or suffix, and the root word to infer the correct meaning of the word.


Using Thesaurus


While reading, it is always advised to keep a thesaurus or dictionary with you. First, use your best efforts and previous knowledge to infer the meaning of a new word. If you fail at it, use a thesaurus to understand the meaning of the new word and note it down for future use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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