Reading Comprehension Module: Vocabulary Development

Module Overview:

This module focuses on developing vocabulary skills, a crucial component of reading

comprehension. We will explore various strategies to unlock the meaning of unfamiliar words,
including using context clues, understanding prefixes and suffixes, recognizing multiple-meaning
words, and interpreting figurative language. A strong vocabulary is essential for unlocking
comprehension, bridging the gap between text and understanding, expressing ourselves
effectively, enhancing critical thinking, and fostering lifelong learning.

Module Objectives:

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Use context clues to determine the meaning of unknown words.

• Identify and understand the function of prefixes and suffixes.
• Differentiate between the various meanings of multiple-meaning words.
• Recognize and interpret different types of figurative language.
• Apply these vocabulary strategies to improve reading comprehension.

Module Activities:

This module includes a variety of activities to reinforce learning, such as:

• Interactive exercises
• Reading passages with comprehension questions
• Word-building activities
• Group discussions
• Creative writing prompts

Module Duration: 2-3 hours

Section 1: Context Clues – Decoding Unknown Words (Be a Word Detective!)

• Introduction: Imagine you're a detective! Context clues are like the clues you find at a
crime scene. They are hints within a text that surround an unknown word, helping you
deduce its meaning. They bridge the gap between what's on the page and what you
understand.
• Types of Context Clues:
o Definition/Explanation Clues: The word is directly defined or explained within
the sentence or surrounding text. Example: "The arboreal animals, those that live
in trees, were difficult to spot among the dense foliage." (The phrase "those that
live in trees" defines "arboreal.")
o Synonym/Antonym Clues: The text provides a word with a similar (synonym) or
opposite (antonym) meaning. Example: "Although she was usually loquacious,
today she was unusually quiet." (The word "quiet," an antonym, helps understand
"loquacious.")
o Example Clues: The text gives examples of the word's meaning. Example: "The
menu offered various appetizers, such as spring rolls, bruschetta, and mini-
quiches." (The listed items provide examples of appetizers.)
o Inference Clues: You must use your reasoning skills to infer the meaning based
on the surrounding information. Example: "She grimaced when she tasted the
medicine; it must have been unpleasant." (Her reaction gives a clue to the meaning
of "grimaced.")
Section 2: Prefixes and Suffixes – Building Words (Word Builders and Breakers)

• Introduction: Prefixes and suffixes are word parts that are added to a base word to change
its meaning. They are like building blocks for creating new words. Understanding them
helps you "break down" unfamiliar words.
• Prefixes: Added to the beginning of a word. Examples: un- (unhappy), re- (rewrite), pre-
(prepare), dis- (disagree), mis- (misunderstand), co- (cooperate), anti- (antibiotic), pro-
(progress)
• Suffixes: Added to the end of a word. Examples: -er/-or (teacher), -ly (quickly), -ful
(helpful), -less (fearless), -tion (creation), -able (readable), -ness (kindness), -ist (artist), -
ing (running)

Table of Common Prefixes and Suffixes:

Prefix/Suffix Meaning Example

un- not unhappy
re- again rewrite
pre- before prepare
dis- not, opposite disagree
-er/-or one who does teacher
-ly in a way quickly
-ful full of helpful
-less without fearless
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Section 3: Multiple-Meaning Words – Understanding Nuances (One Word, Many Faces)

• Introduction: Many words have more than one meaning. Understanding the context is
crucial to determine the correct meaning. These words can have different "faces"
depending on how they're used.
• Examples: bank (financial institution/river bank), run (to move quickly/a tear), present (a
gift/to introduce), light (not heavy/illumination), fine (acceptable/a monetary penalty),
address (location/to speak to), plant (a living organism/a factory), watch (a timepiece/to
observe)
• Activity 5: Read the following sentences and identify the different meanings of the
underlined words.

1. She deposited her check in the bank.

2. The river bank was eroding.
3. The children ran across the playground.
4. She got a run in her new stockings.
5. He gave her a present for her birthday.
6. The speaker will present the award.

Section 4: Figurative Language – Painting Pictures with Words (Adding Spice to Your
Writing)

• Introduction: Figurative language goes beyond the literal meaning of words to create
vivid imagery, evoke emotions, and make writing more engaging. It adds "spice" to writing
and makes it more memorable.
• Types of Figurative Language: (Expounded with more details and examples)
o Simile: Comparison using "like" or "as." Example: "The clouds were like cotton
balls floating in the sky."
o Metaphor: Direct comparison without "like" or "as." Example: "The city is a
concrete jungle."
 o Personification: Giving human qualities to inanimate objects. Example: "The
angry storm raged outside."
o Hyperbole: Exaggeration for emphasis. Example: "I'm so hungry I could eat a
horse!"
o Idiom: A phrase with a figurative meaning. Example: "It's raining cats and dogs."
o Analogy: A comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of
explanation or clarification. Example: "Just as a caterpillar transforms into a
butterfly, so too can a student transform through education."
o Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words.
Example: "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers." 1
o Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words. Example: "The rain in
Spain falls mainly on the plain."
o Onomatopoeia: Words that imitate sounds. Example: "The bee buzzed."
o Irony: A contrast between what appears to be and what actually is. Verbal Irony:
Saying the opposite. Situational Irony: Unexpected outcome. Dramatic Irony:
Audience knows more than characters.
o Pun: A play on words. Example: "A bicycle can't stand on its own because it's two
tired."
o Symbolism: Using objects to represent something else. Example: A dove
symbolizes peace.

Assessment:

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each multiple-choice question. For short answer
questions, write your responses in the space provided.

Part 1: Multiple Choice (1 point each)

1. The word "ambiguous" means:

a) clear and concise
b) open to more than one interpretation
c) easy to understand
d) well-defined
2. Which sentence uses an antonym clue?
a) Although she was usually gregarious, today she was unusually quiet.
b) He was industrious, working tirelessly on his project.
c) The effervescent drink, bubbly and fizzy, tickled her nose.
d) They visited various historical sites, such as museums and monuments.
3. The prefix "mis-" means:
a) again
b) before
c) wrongly or badly
d) not
4. Which word uses the suffix "-able" correctly?
a) happily
b) readable
c) kindness
d) teacher
5. The word "present" can mean:
a) a gift or to introduce
b) past or future
c) happy or sad
d) big or small
 6. Which sentence uses the word "close" to mean near?
a) Please close the door.
b) The store is very close to my house.
c) The meeting was close to being over.
d) He is a close friend of mine.
7. Which sentence uses a simile?
a) The moon was a silver coin in the sky.
b) He ran as fast as the wind.
c) The trees whispered secrets to the breeze.
d) I'm so hungry I could eat a horse!
8. Which sentence uses personification?
a) The angry waves crashed against the shore.
b) She is a beautiful singer.
c) He is as tall as his father.
d) The cat sat on the mat.
9. Which sentence uses hyperbole?
a) I've waited a lifetime for this moment.
b) The sun is shining brightly.
c) The flowers are blooming.
d) The birds are singing.
10. Which of these is an idiom?
a) He kicked the bucket.
b) The car is blue.
c) She is very kind.
d) He is a good student.

Part 2: Fill-in the Blanks (1 point each)

Instructions: Identify the type of figurative language used in each sentence below. Write the name
of the figurative language on the line provided.

1. The raindrops danced on the roof. _________________________

2. He was as brave as a lion. _________________________
3. The classroom was a zoo. _________________________
4. I'm so hungry I could eat a horse! _________________________
5. It's raining cats and dogs. _________________________
6. The buzzing bee flew past my ear. _________________________
7. Sally sells seashells by the seashore. _________________________
8. The early bird gets the worm. _________________________
9. Her eyes were sparkling diamonds. _________________________
10. The wind whispered secrets through the trees. _________________________
11. A fire station burned down. _________________________
12. "This is a great day!" he said sarcastically, as his car broke down.
_________________________
13. Time is money. _________________________
14. The cake was so good, it made me want to sing. _________________________
15. The dove is a symbol of peace. _________________________
16. What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta! _________________________
17. The audience knew the killer was hiding in the closet, but the character did not.
_________________________
18. The soft sound of the stream lulled me to sleep. _________________________
19. The repeated "s" sound in "She sells seashells" is an example of
_________________________.
20. The repeated "o" sound in "The old road wound through the forest" is an example of
_________________________.
Part 3: Short Answer (5 points each)

1. Read the following paragraph and answer the questions:

The gregarious group of friends decided to go on an adventure. They hiked through the verdant
forest, the sunlight dappling through the leaves. Suddenly, they encountered a formidable obstacle
– a raging river. Undeterred, they used their combined ingenuity to devise a plan to cross.

a) Define gregarious using context clues. Explain which clues you used. b) Define verdant using
context clues. Explain which clues you used. c) Define formidable using context clues. Explain
which clues you used.

2. Explain the difference between a simile and a metaphor. Give an original example of each.
3. Identify the type of figurative language used in each sentence and explain its meaning:

a) The city is a symphony of sounds. b) The wind howled like a hungry wolf. c) I've told you a
thousand times to clean your room!

4. Write a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) using at least three different types of figurative
language. Identify each type you use.