What are the major steps to fully and completely understand how to be familiar with an unknown word when it comes to context clues?

Answer 1

When using context clues you start by looking at the words immediately before and after the word to get clues about the meaning. For example if the other sentences are describing a house, I can assume the unknown word is also probably related to the house. Often there are clues such as synonyms or antonyms in the sentence or in the sentences before or after the word. Sometimes there is even a definition! Next you would try to substitute in a synonym/possible word for the unknown word in the sentence. You want to check that it makes sense/matches up with the content.

Using context clues takes practice! Some words are also easier than others as there are more clues surrounding them. You may not be able to figure out the exact definition, so you have to use your "detective" skills. It's best to practice with a familiar topic with unknown word first.