To determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word using context clues, you should

• A. Check the dictionary first.
• B. Look at nearby words or sentences for hints about the word's meaning.
• C. Ignore the unfamiliar word and guess.
• D. Ask a friend what it means.

Answer: (B)

When you come to an unfamiliar word, you can figure out its meaning by using context clues from the surrounding sentences. Look for hints the author gives—like restatements or explanations in nearby words, or comparisons and contrasts that show how the word is used. For example, if a sentence says the trail was treacherous, with loose rocks and steep drops, you can infer that treacherous means dangerous from the clues in that description. You might also see clues through words that signal definition or clarification, or through examples that illustrate the word’s meaning.

This approach keeps you reading smoothly and helps you build understanding without stopping to look up every word. Checking a dictionary can be helpful for precision, but it interrupts the flow of reading, and simply guessing or asking someone else won’t strengthen your own ability to figure out meanings from context.