Question

which strategies are most effective to help a reader determine the meaning of an unknown word? select three options.
check for nearby synonyms that may provide a clue to the words meaning.
determine if the author could have used a more appropriate word instead.
check surrounding words to see what events are leading up to this word.
ask people nearby if they happen to know the meaning of the unknown word.
substitute the unfamiliar word with a familiar word to see if it makes sense.

Explanation:

• Checking for nearby synonyms: Synonyms can give a direct clue about the meaning of an unknown word. For example, if the unknown word is "ebullient" and there is a nearby word "cheerful", it can help in understanding.
• Checking surrounding words: Context (the surrounding words) can set the scene. If the sentence is "The explorer was cautious as he entered the

$$unknown word$$

forest", words like "explorer" and "cautious" might imply the forest is dangerous or mysterious.

• Substituting with a familiar word: By replacing the unknown word with a known one, a reader can test if the sentence still makes logical sense. For instance, if the sentence is "The

$$unknown word$$

bird flew high", substituting with "colorful" or "rare" can help gauge meaning.

Determining if the author could have used a more appropriate word is not a strategy for determining the meaning of the current unknown word. Asking people nearby is an external (and not text - based) strategy which may not always be available when reading independently.

Answer:

• Check for nearby synonyms that may provide a clue to the word’s meaning.
• Check surrounding words to see what events are leading up to this word.
• Substitute the unfamiliar word with a familiar word to see if it makes sense.