English Language Arts
Grade 6
15 min
Determine the meaning of idioms from context: set 2
Determine the meaning of idioms from context: set 2
What you'll learn
- Identify at least three textual features (e.g., word choice, sentence structure, use of personal pronouns) that contribute to either a subjective or objective tone in two provided passages.
- Analyze how the author's purpose in each passage (e.g., to inform, to persuade, to entertain) influences the use of subjective or objective language, providing specific textual evidence to support their analysis.
- Compare and contrast the effectiveness of subjective versus objective tone in achieving the author's purpose in each passage, justifying their reasoning with well-supported arguments and textual examples.
- Apply their understanding of subjective and objective tone by rewriting a short passage originally written with a subjective tone to have an objective tone, and vice versa, while maintaining the original meaning.
Tutorial Preview
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify idioms within a given text.
Utilize various context clues (e.g., synonyms, antonyms, explanations, examples) to infer the meaning of unfamiliar idioms.
Explain the literal and figurative meanings of common idioms.
Articulate how understanding idioms enhances comprehension of texts.
Apply strategies to determine idiom meaning when encountering new idioms in reading.
Justify inferred idiom meanings by citing specific textual evidence.
Ever read something and thought, 'What in the world does that mean?' 🤔 Sometimes authors use special phrases that don't mean what they literally say!
In this lesson, you'll become a detective, learning how to crack the code of tricky phrases called idioms, specifically focusing on a new set. You&...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
IdiomA phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the ordinary meaning of its words. It has a figurative meaning.The idiom 'It's raining cats and dogs' doesn't mean animals are falling from the sky; it means it's raining very heavily.
Context CluesHints that an author gives to help define a difficult or unusual word or phrase within a text.If a sentence says, 'The old car was a lemon; it broke down every week,' the phrase 'it broke down every week' is a context clue for 'lemon.'
Figurative MeaningThe symbolic or non-literal meaning of a word or phrase, often used to create imagery or emphasize a point.The figurative meaning of 'spill the beans' is to reveal a secret.
Literal MeaningThe...
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Key Rules & Conventions
Look Beyond the Literal
Always remember that idioms do not mean exactly what their individual words suggest.
When you encounter a phrase that sounds strange or doesn't make sense literally, it's likely an idiom. Your first step is to recognize that it has a non-literal meaning.
Scan for Context Clues
Actively search the sentences before, during, and after the idiom for hints about its figurative meaning.
Pay attention to definitions, examples, synonyms, antonyms, or explanations that the author might provide. These clues are your best tools for inferring meaning.
Substitute and Test
Once you've inferred a possible meaning, try substituting that meaning back into the original sentence to see if it makes sense.
If the sentence still flows logically and c...
5 more steps in this tutorial
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Sign Up Free to ContinueSample Practice Questions
Challenging
Read the passage: 'The new manager was a breath of fresh air. For years, the team had been stuck in old routines, unwilling to innovate. Her arrival signaled a new beginning, and her energetic, positive approach made everyone feel hopeful and ready for change. It was a complete turnaround from the previous leadership.' Based on the entire passage, what does 'a breath of fresh air' mean?
A.Someone who opens windows to improve ventilation.
B.person who is new and inexperienced.
C.Someone or something that feels new, different, and refreshing.
D.leader who is strict and demands innovation.
Challenging
A student reads, 'After losing the game, the coach told the team not to cry over spilled milk and to focus on the next match.' The student concludes 'cry over spilled milk' means 'to be a sore loser.' According to the 'Common Pitfalls,' why is this a weak inference?
A.The student is taking the idiom literally, thinking about actual milk.
B.The student is confusing an idiom with an adage.
C.The student is guessing without evidence from the second half of the sentence.
D.The student is correct, as being a sore loser is the only possible meaning.
Challenging
Read the passage: 'The lawyer knew her client was in hot water. The evidence against him was strong, and the prosecutor had a reputation for being tough. She would need to present a very convincing argument to have any chance of winning.' Which statement makes the STRONGEST argument for the meaning of 'in hot water'?
A.'In hot water' means being in trouble, because the text mentions a 'tough' prosecutor.
B.'In hot water' means being nervous, because having to present an argument is stressful.
C.'In hot water' means being in a difficult or troubled situation, because the evidence was 'strong' against him and he had a 'tough' prosecutor, suggesting a high chance of a negative outcome.
D.'In hot water' means being guilty, because the evidence against him was 'strong'.
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Determine the meaning of idioms from context: set 2 is a Grade 6 English Language Arts lesson on ExcelOS.
What will I learn in Determine the meaning of idioms from context: set 2?
You'll be able to: Identify at least three textual features (e.g., word choice, sentence structure, use of personal pronouns) that contribute to either a subjective or objective tone in two provided passages; Analyze how the author's purpose in….
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How many practice questions are included with Determine the meaning of idioms from context: set 2?
This lesson includes 27 practice questions across multiple difficulty levels, each with instant feedback and explanations.