Determine Words and Phrases

Vocabulary in Context

What is Vocabulary in Context?

• On the test, you may be asked to identify the meaning of a word as it is used in a passage. The idea is to use context to determine the meaning of a word or phrase.

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• Context is important because words do NOT necessarily have only one meaning. Depending on the context, meaning can change. This is certainly true of figurative language.

Multiple Choice

Gerard, who is not the most patient person in the world, told the clerk to quit beating around the bush and make a decision one way or the other.

• delaying

• decorating

• grooming

• cleaning

Multiple Choice

Gerard, who is not the most patient person in the world, told the clerk to cut to the chase and make a decision one way or the other.

• hurry up

• delay

• decorate

• clean

Every language has such phrases, and if you have ever studied a second language, you

know how frustrating idioms can be.

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For example, one French phrase translates into English word-for-word as "You won't find money under a horse's hoof." It means, "Money doesn't grow on trees." ​

(Of course, when translated word-for-word into French, "Money doesn't grow on trees" isn't going to make any more sense than the French phrase translated into English. )

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About all that you can do with this sort of problem in meaning is look up the phrase in a dictionary or phrase book.

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There is, however, a related ambiguity of meaning that can often be resolved by context.

We call these "alternative meanings" or "shades of meaning."

​Here's a tip!!!👀

Multiple Choice

It is Bill's strong conviction that the proposed bridge would not only be a waste of money but would also represent a serious threat to the marine habitat along the planned route.

• guilt

• belief

• action

• plan

Multiple Choice

The dean could not countenance a plan that he believed would sacrifice academic quality just to make a small group of prominent graduates happy.

• look at

• approve

• face up to

• appear in

Multiple Choice

In the club, Robert talked about foreign cities and dangerous assignments, but in reality his daily life was pedestrian: shuffling papers in a cubicle of a government office from 9 to 5 with half an hour for a tuna fish sandwich, time off for federal holidays, and two weeks annual vacation to spend in his own backyard.

• ordinary

• foot-loose

• mobile

• ambulatory

To Summarize 📝