• 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? We sat on the river bank and fished. (bank) (to tilt a plane / a pile / a place for money / the land beside a river) → the land beside a riverPrompt: Many words have more than one meaning.
2. Read the whole sentence. What does the word in capitals most likely mean? He gave an EVASIVE answer, changing the subject whenever anyone asked where he had been. (avoiding the question / detailed / loud / honest and direct) → avoiding the questionPrompt: 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 negotiations reached an IMPASSE: neither side would compromise, and the talks were suspended. (a situation where no progress is possible / an agreement / a celebration / a short break) → a situation where no progress is possiblePrompt: 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? Several parents RAISED concerns about the new timetable. → brought up (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: Critics agreed that the proposal had real MERIT. (difficulty / payment / value / popularity) → valuePrompt: 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. As used in the sentence, the word in capitals most nearly means: The castle has a COMMANDING view of the valley. (ordering / strict / military / wide, dominating) → wide, dominatingPrompt: The most common meaning of the word is often a trap. Read the whole sentence.
2. Is the proposed answer correct? After the coach left, Leila ASSUMED the role of captain. → supposed (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.

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