What do context clues help readers to do?

Context clues are essential tools that assist readers in making inferences about the meanings of unfamiliar words. When a reader encounters a word they do not know, they can utilize surrounding text—such as sentences before and after the word, as well as the overall topic or theme of the passage—to gather hints or clues about what the word might mean. This process not only enhances vocabulary development but also aids in comprehension, allowing the reader to draw on the context to understand the text more fully.

Recognizing how context clues function is a foundational skill in literacy, as it encourages active engagement with text and promotes independent reading. By sustaining meaning through contextual understanding, readers can navigate challenging vocabulary without losing track of the overall message being conveyed.