Question

which is the first step for verifying the meaning of a word using context clues? (1 point)
use a dictionary to find the definition of the word.
substitute the definition of the word you have decided on in the sentence to see if it makes sense.
look for words and phrases surrounding the word that give clues about the words meaning.
identify the words part of speech and find synonyms in a thesaurus.

Explanation:

Context clues rely on the surrounding text. First, one must look for words/phrases around the target word that hint at its meaning. Using a dictionary (first option) skips context - based analysis. Substituting a definition (second option) comes after initial analysis. Identifying part of speech and using a thesaurus (fourth option) is not the first step for context - clue - based verification.

Answer:

Look for words and phrases surrounding the word that give clues about the word’s meaning.