What is the role of context clues in understanding unfamiliar words in reading passages?

The role of context clues in understanding unfamiliar words is primarily to help deduce meaning based on the surrounding text features. When a reader encounters a word they do not understand, they can look at the nearby words, sentences, or even paragraphs for hints or clues. These clues can include definitions, examples, antonyms, or general descriptions that shed light on the unfamiliar term.

For instance, if a sentence describes a character as "melancholic" and then provides a scenario of them reflecting sadly after a loss, the context helps the reader infer that "melancholic" relates to feelings of sadness or sorrow. This process of using context to infer meaning enriches comprehension and allows readers to engage more fully with the text without needing to stop and consult a dictionary repeatedly.

Other options, while relevant in various contexts, do not accurately capture the fundamental role that context clues serve in vocabulary comprehension. For example, providing synonyms alone does not encompass the broader strategy of interpreting meanings based on the overall text. Similarly, highlighting important phrases and summarizing a passage may aid in understanding and retention but do not specifically relate to determining word meanings through contextual understanding.