• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Context clues: contrasts and examples). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. What kind of context clue helps with the word in capitals (or the key word)? The cave was DANK — cold, damp and unpleasant. (definition / contrast / example) → definitionPrompt: Look at the signal words in the sentence.
2. Use the contrast or example clue to choose the meaning of the word in capitals. Grandad is FRUGAL rather than wasteful: he reuses foil and mends his own socks. (generous / messy / very rich / careful with money and resources) → careful with money and resourcesPrompt: Look for contrast words (unlike, although, but, whereas, instead of) or example words (such as, like, including).
3. What kind of context clue helps with the word in capitals (or the key word)? Some reptiles, such as snakes and lizards, are CARNIVOROUS. (definition / contrast / example) → examplePrompt: Look at the signal words in the sentence.

• Show an interesting word in a sentence and ask what it might mean from the clues around it.
• Share the objective: Context clues: working out meaning from the whole passage. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Read the whole sentence. What does the word in capitals most likely mean? The hiker had to RATION her water, drinking only a few sips every hour to make it last.
• Step 1: When no definition is given, use the situation, causes and results described around a word to infer its meaning.
• Step 2: So the answer is: share out in limited amounts
• Answer: share out in limited amounts
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Read the whole sentence. What does the word in capitals most likely mean? Despite the storm, the ferry remained BUOYANT, bobbing on top of the huge waves. (stationary / sinking / able to float / damaged) → able to floatPrompt: There is no direct definition here. What is happening in the rest of the sentence?
2. Read the whole sentence. What does the word in capitals most likely mean? The museum's new exhibit is EPHEMERAL: it will be dismantled after just two weeks. (very expensive / lasting a very short time / permanent / very old) → lasting a very short timePrompt: Look for what happens next or what causes what: these are your clues.

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Read the whole sentence. What does the word in capitals most likely mean? The rumour spread so RAPIDLY that by lunchtime the whole school had heard it. (secretly / quietly / quickly / slowly) → quicklyPrompt: There is no direct definition here. What is happening in the rest of the sentence?
2. Read the whole sentence. What does the word in capitals most likely mean? The negotiations reached an IMPASSE: neither side would compromise, and the talks were suspended. (a situation where no progress is possible / a short break / an agreement / a celebration) → a situation where no progress is possiblePrompt: Look for what happens next or what causes what: these are your clues.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-7.