Words in context | The Complete SAT Course - Class 10 PDF Download

What's on the test?

On the SAT Reading test, you can expect to encounter 7-9 questions that ask you to determine the meaning of words or phrases in the passage. This question type is quite common.

Examples of such questions include:

• Based on its use in line 8, the word _____ most closely means. . .
• In lines 10-12, the author uses the phrase _____ to indicate. . .

Your task is to interpret words and phrases not only based on their dictionary definition but also in the specific way the author employs them in the given context.
If you come across an unfamiliar word or phrase, don't worry! The passage usually provides clues near the word that can help you infer its meaning.

Common errors

Errors in selecting answer choices for words in context questions are commonly caused by the following mistakes:

• Alternative definitions: Words or phrases can have multiple meanings, and incorrect choices may include familiar definitions that do not fit the context of the passage. The correct answer will be the definition that aligns best with the passage's specific context.
• Close but incorrect choices: Some wrong answer choices may capture some aspects of the intended meaning of the word or phrase, but they may carry a connotation that does not fit the passage's context. For example, a choice could be appropriately positive, but it may use a word commonly associated with objects when the passage is discussing people.

Tips and strategies

• Summarize the sentence: Understanding the overall meaning of a sentence can help us determine the meaning of specific words and phrases within it. Summarizing the sentence in our own words allows us to grasp the context of the passage.
• Cross it out and make a prediction: Covering up the word or phrase in question and replacing it with our own simplified version helps us make a prediction. This prediction serves as a guide when comparing it to the answer choices.
• Plug in the choices: An alternate approach is to substitute each answer choice into the sentence to see if it fits. This method can help verify our initial selection or narrow down the options.
• Avoid unknowns: Choosing unfamiliar words instead of those we are more familiar with is a common mistake. It is best to stay away from unfamiliar words unless we can confidently eliminate the other choices.