Final answer:
Context clues like formal definitions or explanations help determine the meaning of unfamiliar words in a text. They are often signaled by commas, dashes, parentheses, and phrases like "that is." These punctuation marks guide readers to additional information that can clarify word meanings.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Types of Context Clues
When it comes to understanding new vocabulary in a text, context clues are crucial. These clues come in various forms and can help deduce the meaning of unfamiliar words. One specific type of context clue is the formal definition or a sufficient explanation, which may be indicated by markers such as "that is," commas, dashes, and parentheses. These punctuation marks serve as guides to identify the additional information that can shed light on the meaning of a term within the sentence or in the following sentences.
For example, "The process of photosynthesis, that is, the conversion of sunlight into energy by plants, is essential for life on Earth." In this sentence, the phrase "that is" signals a formal definition of photosynthesis. Additionally, commas around extra information suggest that it is interesting but not essential to grasp the main point of the sentence. Expressions such as "given that," "since," and "because" also serve as context clues indicating a reason or cause-and-effect relationship. Dashes and parentheses are used to insert clarifications or supplementary data, with parentheses being used when the information is of lesser importance within the context.