CONTEXT SENTENCES [make up / extra credit EXAMPLES]

EXAMPLES OF LONGER, DETAILED SENTENCES PROVIDING CONTEXT TO HELP SHOW MEANING OF A WORD.  All are sentences about the Giver by Lois Lowry.

The underlined words or phrases are all context clues that help to explain or show what the focus word means.

Copy each word, definition, and detailed sentence for make up or extra credit.
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1.  BICKER = To fight or quarrel, to argue

People don't really BICKER in the Giver Community.  It wouldn't be allowed because it would make people uncomfortable to see or be around other people arguing.  The Community controls fighting and would probably publicly punish anyone bickering.



2.  STODGY =  heavily built, solid and think (like a linebacker or lineman in football)
(stah-gee)

Jonas seems like a thinner, skinnier person somehow.  Asher, who is portrayed as being more clumsy, is definitely a year older or nearly a year older than Jonas and seems more developed.  It would make more sense to make him more of the STODGY character.


8.  ABATE:  = To lessen in intensity, to reduce or stop
(uh-bayt/bait/bate)

In the Community, using words imprecisely or incorrectly is ABATED by punishing and chastising (verbally criticizing) citizens, especially the kids.  This usually stops or decreases incidents of using words wrong.


10.  OVERTURE = a musical piece, usually an introductory part of a piece of music, opera or song.
(over-chure)

It is highly unlikely that anyone in the Community would know what an OVERTURE is, since music does not seem to be a part of their culture.  Like "animals" it might be something they know about, but consider fable or myth?  With no music, then they'd certainly not have songs or opera with introductory parts to set up the song.  Not sure how you get away with having no music (don't kids in the Community ever just find themselves tapping on their desks?)


13.   PAROXYSM = sudden outburst, usually highly emotional (shock or anger)
                             sudden visual outburst of anger, shock, outrage
                            could also be a seizure-like spasm or violent shaking

Jonas is a good kid who is very calm and controlled (so he's the opposite of the word).  He would never explode in a PAROXYSM of anger or shock.  At least not at the start of the novel.  When Jonas starts to learn the truth about what his Community has hidden from everyone, then he DOES explode in a paroxysm of anger.  He can't believe there's so much everyone is missing out on.  He thinks its all unfair and is incredibly angry about no one having choice.