What are 'contextual clues' used for in reading comprehension?

Contextual clues play a crucial role in reading comprehension by helping readers infer the meaning of unfamiliar words or phrases based on the surrounding text. When encountering a new term, readers can look at the context in which it appears—such as nearby words, sentences, or paragraphs—to gather hints about its meaning. This skill enhances vocabulary acquisition and allows for a smoother reading experience, as it enables readers to derive meaning without necessarily stopping to consult a dictionary.

For example, if a sentence reads, "The new employee was very gregarious; he always enjoyed socializing with his colleagues," readers can deduce that "gregarious" relates to being sociable, based on the surrounding cues. Contextual clues are invaluable tools that empower readers to engage with the text more effectively and deepen their understanding.

The other choices address different aspects of reading but do not center on the primary function of contextual clues. While judging the author's intent and style involves interpretation of tone and perspective, it does not pertain directly to word meanings. Determining the overall length of a text is a matter of structure rather than comprehension. Lastly, analyzing the structure and format of a document is important for understanding organization but does not assist in defining words within the text.