Learn›Paragraph ComprehensionPC›Words in context
Words in context and sequence
“As used in the passage, the word most nearly means…” The trap is the word’s most common meaning, which is often not the one in the sentence. Swap each choice into the sentence and the right one is obvious.
The meaning in this sentence
The engineers presented a sound plan: it had been tested twice, it stayed within the budget, and every risk had a backup.
Here, sound does not mean a noise. The rest of the sentence (tested, within budget, backups) describes a plan you can trust. As used here, sound most nearly means reliable.
The replace test
Put each answer choice in place of the word and read the sentence. The right choice keeps the sentence saying the same thing; the wrong ones change it or make it odd.
How to solve them
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1
The replace test, step by step
Cover the word, read the sentence with a blank, and guess the meaning yourself. Then try each choice in the blank.
Next step: Words with two meaningsExample“The team tried a novel approach to the problem.” Novel most nearly means…
- With a blank: “a ___ approach.” Something like new or different fits.
- Choices: book (does not fit), long (odd), new (fits), slow (changes the meaning).
Answer New
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2
Common words, uncommon meanings
The test likes everyday words used in a second meaning. The everyday meaning is almost always among the choices, as the trap.
sound (a plan)reliablenot a noisenovel (an idea)newnot a bookcharge (a fee)pricenot electricitygrave (a mistake)seriousnot a burial placeyield (a result)producenot give wayNext step: Context cluesTrap“A grave mistake” → a place of burial
The common meaning, wrong here
Right“A grave mistake” → a serious mistake
Fits the sentence
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3
Clues around the word
The sentence usually explains the word. Look for a definition after a comma, an example, a contrast (“but,” “unlike”) or a cause.
Next step: SequenceDefinition“She was frugal, careful never to waste money.”
frugal = thrifty
Contrast“Unlike his talkative brother, Ben was reticent.”
reticent = quiet
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4
Sequence questions: what happened first?
Some questions ask for the order of steps or events. Watch for first, then, next, after, before, finally, and for dates. The order in the passage is not always the order of events: “before” can send you backwards.
Next step: Positive or negativeExample“Before painting the fence, Ana sanded it. She then washed off the dust and let it dry.” What did Ana do first?
- “Before painting… she sanded it”: sanding comes before painting.
- Then: washed, dried, and only then painted.
Answer She sanded the fence
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5
When you don’t know the word: positive or negative?
Even without knowing a word, the sentence often tells you whether it is a good or a bad thing. That alone can remove half the choices.
Next step: CheckShortcutPlus or minus
“The critics praised the actor’s ___ performance.” Praise means a positive word goes in the blank, so cross out every negative choice first.
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6
Check: read the full sentence with your choice
Read the whole sentence aloud in your head with the word you chose. If it sounds natural and says the same thing, mark it.
Sounds wrong“The engineers presented a noisy plan.”
The common meaning of sound
Sounds right“The engineers presented a reliable plan.”
Keeps the meaning
4 traps in the answer choices
The test writes its wrong answers on purpose: each one is what you get if you make one of these mistakes.
The most common meaning
“A sound plan”:
Wronga noisy plan
Righta reliable plan
A meaning that fits the word, not the sentence
“A novel approach”:
Wronga book-like approach
Righta new approach
Ignoring a contrast clue
“Unlike his talkative brother, Ben was reticent.”
Wrongreticent = chatty
Rightreticent = quiet
Order of mention instead of order of events
“Before painting, she sanded it.” First step:
Wrongpainting
Rightsanding
5 questions at test level
Pick an answer, then read why. No timer, no account.
“The hotel added a small charge for late checkout.” As used in the sentence, charge most nearly means…
Show the answer
B. Put each choice in the sentence: “a small fee for late checkout” keeps the meaning. Attack and electricity are other meanings of charge that do not fit. The answer is Fee.
“The new farming method is expected to yield twice as much wheat.” As used here, yield most nearly means…
Show the answer
C. “Expected to produce twice as much wheat” makes sense; “give way” is the road-sign meaning. The answer is Produce.
“Although the speaker seemed calm, her trembling hands betrayed her anxiety.” As used here, betrayed most nearly means…
Show the answer
A. Trembling hands showed the anxiety she was trying to hide: “revealed her anxiety.” “Cheated” is the other meaning, and “hid” is the opposite. The answer is Revealed.
“Unlike his cautious partner, Marco was impetuous, often acting before thinking.” Impetuous most nearly means…
Show the answer
B. Two clues: he is the opposite of cautious, and he acts before thinking. That is impulsive. The answer is Impulsive.
“After the dough had risen for an hour, Sam shaped the loaves. Before that, he had mixed the flour, water and yeast.” What did Sam do first?
Show the answer
C. “Before that, he had mixed…” sends us back: mixing came before the dough rose, which came before shaping. The first step was Mixed the flour, water and yeast.
10 flashcards
Tap a card to flip it. Keep the ones you miss until they stick.
All 10 cards known.
You finished words in context and sequence.
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