• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Context clues: working out meaning from the whole passage; Words with more than one meaning). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. What does the word in brackets mean in THIS sentence? The judge will rule on the case tomorrow. (rule) (make an official decision / a strip for measuring lines / an instruction / reign over a country) → make an official decisionPrompt: Many words have more than one meaning.
2. Read the whole sentence. What does the word in capitals most likely mean? The town was DESOLATE after the factory closed: shops were boarded up and the streets were empty. (modern / empty and gloomy / noisy / busy and lively) → empty and gloomyPrompt: There is no direct definition here. What is happening in the rest of the sentence?
3. Read the whole sentence. What does the word in capitals most likely mean? The city's population has BURGEONED, doubling in just ten years. (moved away / fallen sharply / grown rapidly / stayed the same) → grown rapidlyPrompt: Look for what happens next or what causes what: these are your clues.

• Show an interesting word in a sentence and ask what it might mean from the clues around it.
• Share the objective: Multiple-meaning words: 'most nearly means' in context. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: As used in the sentence, the word in capitals most nearly means: The old warehouse will HOUSE the new art collection.
• Step 1: Many words have several meanings; context tells you which one the writer intends.
• Step 2: So the answer is: contain
• Answer: contain
• 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. Is the proposed answer correct? The volunteers' efforts BORE fruit when the river was finally cleaned. → bored (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → no, it is not correctPrompt: The most common meaning of the word is often a trap. Read the whole sentence.
2. As used in the sentence, the word in capitals most nearly means: The report gave a SOBER assessment of the risks, avoiding both panic and false hope. (not drunk / serious and realistic / dull and boring / gloomy) → serious and realisticPrompt: The most common meaning of the word is often a trap. Read the whole sentence.

• 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 8 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. Is the proposed answer correct? The team's victory was SECURED in the final minute. → made certain (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → yes, it is correctPrompt: The most common meaning of the word is often a trap. Read the whole sentence.
2. As used in the sentence, the word in capitals most nearly means: Scientists were careful to QUALIFY their conclusions, noting several limits of the study. (pass an exam / add conditions to / become eligible / celebrate) → add conditions toPrompt: The most common meaning of the word is often a trap. Read the whole sentence.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-9.