Word Choice | The Complete SAT Course - Class 10 PDF Download

What's on the test?

On the official SAT, you may encounter 1-2 questions that require analyzing the impact of specific words in a passage. These questions go beyond the definitions of the words and focus on how they influence the reader's interpretation of the text.

Examples of such questions include:

• Based on line 18, the author's use of the word "disappointing" suggests. . .
• By using the phrase "happy accident" in line 4, the author establishes a tone that is. . .

Your task is to determine how the chosen word or phrase conveys meaning beyond its literal definition. In other words, you need to assess whether the words create a particular atmosphere or impression for the reader.

Common errors

Incorrect choices on word choice questions are often due to the following mistakes:

• Irrelevant details: Wrong choices may include information or keywords that you recall from other parts of the passage. Although these familiar ideas might be tempting, it's important not to select a choice solely because you recognize it from the passage. Ensure that the choice you make is directly related to the word or phrase mentioned in the question.
• Alternate definitions: Words can have multiple meanings, and incorrect choices may present common definitions for the word or phrase that don't quite align with the specific context in question. Remember, the goal is to determine how the word impacts a particular sentence, paragraph, idea, or passage, rather than simply identifying its general meaning.

Tips and strategies

• Summarize the sentence: Understanding every word in a sentence isn't necessary to grasp its meaning. By comprehending the overall meaning of a sentence, we can often decipher the meaning of the words and phrases within it. Summarizing the sentence in our own words helps us grasp the specific context of the passage and why the author chose certain words or phrases.
• Consider the "feel": Look beyond the literal meaning of the chosen words and consider the impact they have on the text's overall tone or atmosphere. Do they create a formal or casual tone? Do they evoke positive or negative emotions towards a particular idea or character? These connotations and impressions influence the "feel" of the text, and recognizing them makes word choice questions easier.
• Keep it simple: Unless a selected word or phrase completely baffled you during the initial reading, chances are you already understand its purpose in context. What information or implications do the words convey about the subject? These are questions we unconsciously process when reading.
• Predict the answer: Before examining the answer choices, take a moment to formulate your own response to the question using your own words. Then, eliminate choices that do not align with your prediction. The time spent making a prediction will be rewarded with the ability to quickly eliminate incorrect options.
• Stay within reason: While word choice can involve implications and connotations, we should not need to stretch our imagination too far from the actual meaning of the words to find the answer. If a choice seems like a stretch and makes you think, "Well, I guess I can imagine how that could be the answer," it is likely incorrect. The answer should be clear and directly supported by the text.