Name ________________________________ Date ________________________
Many times readers come to a word that may be unfamiliar (not sure what it means) in an article or story. Even though you can “say” the word, this doesn’t necessarily help you “understand” what it means. Remember – you read to understand so it’s important to be honest with yourself.
In the passage below, the word “trough” is used twice. Your job is to use context clues (words and sentences around the unfamiliar word) to determine its meaning.
He went to the stone trough near the castle gate. It was the trough where the horses watered. He put his head down into it. The water cooled his face.
The Sword in the Tree – page 12
o Trough - ______________________________
______________________________
o Illustrate what you think “trough” means in the box to the right.
Explain why Shan would need to cool his face off in the trough.
