words in context

Words in context

SAT Prep Class

Fill in the Blanks

What are "words in context" questions?

in recommending Bao Phi’s collection Sông I Sing, a librarian noted that pieces by the spoken-word poet don’t lose their ______ nature when printed: the language has the same pleasant musical quality on the page as it does when performed by Phi.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

a)jarring
b)scholarly
c)melodic
d)personal

How should we determine the most "precise" word?

A "precise" word is one that conveys exactly what is needed in a specific context: it should fit seamlessly into its sentence and enhance the overall meaning of the text.

This distinction is crucial. We're not merely seeking a word that sounds appropriate or looks appealing; we need to grasp the text's meaning and choose the word whose definition aligns best with the point being made. Therefore, when tackling words in context questions, reading comprehension is just as essential as vocabulary knowledge.

connotation

context

To help us identify the best word in context,
we should focus on two things:

Match

Match the following

• Context

• Connotation

• GoodLUCK

the specific scenario of the text

the associations of different words

GoodLUCK

• the specific scenario of the text

• the associations of different words

• GoodLUCK

Reorder

How to approach words in context questions?

• Summarize the text in your own words

• Identify the key word, phrase, or idea

• Select the word that matches

1

2

3

• 1
• 2
• 3

Summarize the text in your own words

Don’t just skim through the text; read it carefully and attempt to summarize the main idea in your own words. This can be challenging, especially since an important word may be missing. If you find it difficult to grasp the text, try translating each idea into simple bullet points.

Keep in mind that words in context prompts often follow a similar structure. They will present a claim and then elaborate on or restate that claim using different wording.

Identify the key word, phrase, or idea

The text contains all the information you need. The correct answer will always support the point the text is making. Typically, there will be a word or phrase within the text that closely aligns in meaning with the correct answer. Identify the right context clues, and the next step should be straightforward.

Select the word that matches

If a choice changes the meaning of the text, or introduces a new idea or perspective, then it's not the most precise word in context. Only one of the choices will match and emphasize the idea being expressed in the text. You can select that choice with confidence!

Multiple Choice

The following text is from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel The Great Gatsby.

[Jay Gatsby] was balancing himself on the dashboard of his car with that resourcefulness of movement that is so peculiarly American—that comes, I suppose, with the absence of lifting work in youth and, even more, with the formless grace of our nervous, sporadic games. This quality was continually breaking through his punctilious manner in the shape of restlessness.

As used in the text, what does the word “quality” most nearly mean?

• Characteristic

• Standard

• Prestige

• Accomplishment

Multiple Choice

Scientists previously thought that all electric eels belong to a single species, but a team of researchers led by zoologist C. David de Santana proved this idea wrong by ______ that there are in fact three distinct species of electric eels.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

• requiring

• demonstrating

• complaining

• pretending

Multiple Choice

The Appalachian Trail is a hiking path in the eastern United States. Much of the 2,000 mile trail passes through wilderness areas. In order to ______ those areas, the United States Congress passed the National Trails System Act in 1968, ensuring that the trail would not be sold or commercially developed.

Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?

• protect

• borrow

• postpone

• decorate