Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

a. Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph, a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
b. Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., audience, auditory, audible).
c. Determine the meaning of technical words and phrases used in a text.

Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

a. Interpret figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification, and hyperbole) in context.
b. Use the relationship between particular words (e.g., cause/effect, part/whole, item/category, synonym/antonym) to better understand each of the words.
c. Distinguish among the connotations (associations) of words with similar denotations (definitions) (e.g., stingy, scrimping, economical, unwasteful, thrifty).