Which first step should readers take when they encounter an unfamiliar word?

Question

-find a synonym for the word in a thesaurus
-replace the unfamiliar word with a familiar word
-use context clues near the word
-look up the work in a dictionary

Answer 1

The first step readers should take when they encounter an unfamiliar word is to use context clues near the word. This approach helps readers make educated guesses about the meaning based on the surrounding text, which can provide valuable hints and enhance comprehension. After that, if the meaning is still unclear, they can consider options like looking up the word in a dictionary or finding synonyms.