Which of the following strategies is most effective for helping students understand the meaning of new vocabulary words?

Using context clues to infer meanings is an effective strategy to help students understand new vocabulary because it encourages them to engage deeply with the text. When students look for hints within surrounding sentences or paragraphs, they are actively participating in the reading process. This method not only aids in vocabulary acquisition but also enhances comprehension, as students learn to deduce the meaning of words based on the clues provided by other words and phrases in the text.

By focusing on context clues, students develop critical thinking skills as they assess the relationships between words and their meanings. This practice allows them to apply their understanding in different contexts, making the vocabulary more relevant and memorable. In contrast to techniques like memorization or simply listing synonyms, using context cues supports a more holistic and connected understanding of language. Through this method, students become more self-sufficient learners who can tackle unfamiliar words independently in their future reading experiences.