What are sources of information outside of words that aid readers in predicting unknown words?

Context clues are indeed the correct choice because they refer to the information surrounding a word or phrase that can help a reader discern its meaning. This includes elements such as the overall topic of the text, surrounding sentences, visuals, or any other cues that provide insight into the possible meaning of an unfamiliar word. Readers often rely on these contextual elements to infer the meaning of unknown vocabulary, enhancing their comprehension and facilitating a smoother reading experience.

Inferential clues typically involve making deductions based on implicit information rather than surrounding context. Lexical hints focus on the structure and relationships of the words themselves, which is somewhat different from the broader scope of context clues. Signal words serve as indicators of organization and structure in writing rather than as direct aids for understanding unknown vocabulary. Thus, context clues stand out as the most comprehensive and useful source for predicting the meanings of unfamiliar words in given texts.