This paper illustrates the inference process of unknown KANJI vocabulary used by 15 intermediate level readers(high 5, middle 5, low 5) through think-aloud protocols. High level readers successfully inferred the meaning using both their own knowledge and meaning-based cues on context. Some of low level readers, however, could overcome the limited vocabulary by using general knowledge and meaning-based cues on context. And thinking main idea was effective method to compensate their lack of vocabulary. As a result, their score of meaning is higher than that of sound.
