Context clues can help you determine word meaning by recognizing which of the following?

• A. Synonyms, antonyms, definitions, or examples near the word
• B. Word length
• C. Font color
• D. Number of syllables

Answer: (A)

Context clues help you determine what a word means by looking for hints right nearby in the sentence or paragraph. Authors often use synonyms, antonyms, a direct definition, or an example to explain a tricky word. Those clues let you infer meaning even if you haven’t learned the word yet. The other options don’t fit because word length, font color, or the number of syllables reveal nothing about a word’s meaning in context; they’re about appearance or structure, not how the word is used in the sentence. For instance, if a sentence says, “The ground was arid, or extremely dry,” the nearby word dry acts as a clue to arid’s meaning.