What types of context clues may indicate the meaning of a word?

Context clues are hints or signals within a text that help readers deduce the meaning of unfamiliar words. The most effective types of context clues include examples, definitions, and comparisons. For instance, when an author provides examples, they offer specific instances that illustrate the meaning of a term. Similarly, giving a definition directly in the text clarifies what a word means by restating it in simpler language. Comparisons can also serve as context clues, as they link the unfamiliar word to something familiar, making its meaning clearer through analogy.

The other options do not serve as effective indicators of word meanings. Alliteration and rhyme focus on sound rather than meaning, character dialogue may not always provide relevant context for understanding words, and chronological sequence pertains to order in time rather than the definitions of terms. Therefore, examples, definitions, and comparisons are the most reliable sources for deciphering word meanings in context.