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Context (language): the text in which a word or passage appears and which affects its meaning; also the words and social setting which surrounds a spoken word or passage.
 'Text' refers to the paragraph displayed whereas 'context' means 'the parts of a written or spoken statement that precede or follow a specific word or passage, usually influencing its meaning or effect',
or the 2nd definition; 'the set of circumstances or facts that surround a particular event, situation, etc.'

In simpler terms,context refers to the situation in which something happens and that helps you to understand it. Without it, the sentence would not be understood. Other than that, context is a sort of 'background'

For example, if someone asks 'Guess the meaning of the word "bad" from the text' when the 'text' states
"The war was a bad time for the people"
'Bad' could mean bad of a person (evil etc), bad of a situation (horrible, terrible etc), or bad as in rotten stuff (turned bad). In this context, it means bad of a situation.

To sum it up, you can read text but you get meaning from 'context'.

The answer to your question as in what you're supposed to write, is simply the meaning of the text or what message it is trying to get across.

If you have a whole paragraph to read, I suggest thinking and reading carefully and make your own interpretations.

If this is regarding a literature-related subject, let me tell you, you can never go wrong as long as you prove that you understand the text, as there are many different interpretations from different people. Before you can get meaning a word you need to read the content or passage carefully.


Effective Strategies for Teaching Vocabulary
written by: Trent Lorcher • edited by: SForsyth • updated: 12/29/2011

Building vocabulary takes more than jotting down a list of words, copying the definitions, and throwing the paper in the garbage can after failing a quiz.

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      I handed out the vocabulary tests. I felt good. I had reviewed. I had instructed. I had given it my all. I knew my students would do well.

      They all failed.

      I sat, bewildered, head in hands, wondering where it all went wrong. My principal walked in. I was sure he was going to fire me. Instead he gave me a brochure on effective vocabulary instruction. I set it on my desk, forgot about it, found it three years later, and read it.

      It was pretty good.
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      Understanding Etymology

      Etymology is the study of the history of a word, from its origin to its current meaning. Encourage students to use dictionaries to analyze word origins. As you might imagine they find it incredibly boring and would rather slice their tongue with paper and drink mouth wash than analyze word origins by searching in a dictionary. Here are some suggestions for helping students appreciate etymology:
          o The threat of a failing grade often motivates.
          o Reducing the number of words and requiring an etymological breakdown tricks students into thinking you're nice. Before they realize you're a jerk, they'll be finished.
          o While reading in class, show how understanding word origins adds meaning to a word. For example, while reading "The Devil and Tom Walker," we examine the word "mortgage" and trace its historical roots.
          o Explain word origins in context of the lesson. For example, while studying Spanish explorers, explain that Balboa, after sailing the choppy waters of the Atlantic, crossed the Isthmus of Panama. Delighted by the calm and peaceful waters on the other side, he named it the Pacific Ocean. Other words with the same root include pacifist and pacifier, two items associated with peace and calm.
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      Analyzing Word Parts

      Many words originated here Remind students that analyzing the parts of an unfamiliar word--prefix, base, and suffix, provides clues to its meaning. A key component of word analysis involves Greek and Latin Root knowledge. Students who can apply this knowledge learn thousands and thousands of words in the time it takes most to learn a dozen words. As you might imagine, students get as excited about analyzing word parts as I do about a prostate exam. Here are some suggestions to make it fun (the analyzing word parts, not the prostate exam).
          o Analyze words like "hyperbole" with this absolute amazing, best ever created Greek and Latin Root Lesson Plan (linked at the bottom of this article).
          o Engage your class in an analyzing word parts challenge based on the greatest lesson plan ever written in the entire history of education, the Context Clues Challenge Lesson Plan.
          o Teaching is most effective when we model the desired behavior. As you read break down difficult words by analyzing word parts. For example, you read the word "anachronism." Since it's not a text-message friendly word and has never been spoken on MTV, your students don't understand it. Explain that chrono means time, ism makes it a noun, and an means "without or out of." Hence, "anachronism" means not in the right time. Give a few examples: George Washington on a cell phone or Babe Ruth doing a TV interview.

Determining A Word's Meaning From Context: Different Types of Context Clues
written by: Trent Lorcher • edited by: SForsyth • updated: 6/8/2010

My legions of fans (my three year old son, my dog, and my goldfish) have been asking for a follow up article on using context clues to determine word meanings. The day has finally arrived.

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      After teaching different types of context clues to my classes, I felt good. They were able to identify examples of definition and restatement, example, and comparison. But it wasn't enough. They still lacked skills with three different types of context clues: contrast, cause and effect, and inference from general context.
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      Contrast

      Context may reveal the meaning of a word through contrast as in this example:
          o Unlike the apoplectic parent shouting imprecations at the administrator, Mr. Wallaby stood still, enjoying the unexpected entertainment.

      In this sentence, the word unlike signals a contrast between stood still and apoplectic. Even if the reader does not know what apoplectic means, he or she can figure out the parent was moving wildly, uncontrollably.

      Other signal words for contrast include:
          o but
          o although
          o on the contrary
          o on the other hand
          o dissimilar
          o on the other hand
          o in contrast to
          o however

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      Cause and Effect

      The cause of an action may be stated using an unfamiliar word. However, if the effect is stated in familiar words, the reader can infer its meaning.
          o His lack of sagacity caused him to make one stupid decision after another.
          o The intrepid warrior led the assault on the well guarded fortress.

      The word sagacity may be unfamiliar to many readers. Understanding that the lack of it causes one to make stupid decisions, a discerning reader quickly infers that sagacity means wisdom. Knowing the intrepid warrior led an assault most would not dare helps the sagacious reader infer that intrepid means fearless.

      Words signaling cause and effect include:
          o because
          o since
          o consequently
          o therefore
          o when
          o as a result.

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      Lesson Ideas
          o Make identifying the type of context clue part of the context clues challenge.
          o Instruct students to write new vocabulary words with different types of context clues.
          o Have students identify types of context clues on standardized tests.

      Not all clues are as obvious as the ones we've discussed, nor can they be tested with simple questions. Often, readers must read more than just the sentence or two surrounding the word. Sometimes a group of words several sentences away may unlock the meaning. Sometimes the supporting details in a paragraph must be examined together to help the reader infer the meaning of a particular word. This is called inference from general context.

      For teaching how to infer meaning from general context, I recommend modeling.

      Find a standards based language arts curriculum map with links to a semester's worth of lesson plans, handouts, and powerpoints on Brighthub.com.

Context is what surrounds a word or piece of text. Context can be used to understand words which people do not know the meaning of.

In print, a word, phrase or sentence has other text around it. This helps the reader to understand the piece in question. In speech, the social setting as well as the language help the listener to understand what is said.

Something like: "You can take it whenever you need to" might refer to almost anything. However, if it is said by a doctor to a patient, then the context is clear, and the listener can guess it refers to some kind of medication. So the context is what goes with a text (written or spoken) which helps the reader (or listener) understand the communication.