1 · Never answer from memory
Lots of words have more than one meaning. The test likes to offer the meaning you know best, even when the passage uses a different one.
Mom filled the pitcher with lemonade. / The pitcher threw a fast ball.
Same word, two meanings: a jug for drinks, and the baseball player who throws the ball.
The lemonade tells you which one the first sentence means. Always go back and read the whole sentence, and the one after it.
2 · The swap test
Put each answer choice in place of the word and read the sentence again. The right choice keeps the sentence making sense.
The puppy was so drowsy that it fell asleep in my lap. Drowsy means: hungry, sleepy, noisy, fluffy?
"So hungry that it fell asleep"? That does not follow.
"So noisy that it fell asleep"? No.
"So sleepy that it fell asleep" makes sense. That is the answer.
3 · Clue right there
Sometimes the author explains the word for you, right next to it. Look for which means, called, that is, or a comma followed by an explanation.
Owls are nocturnal, which means they hunt at night and sleep during the day.
The definition comes right after "which means." Nocturnal means awake and active at night.
4 · Opposite clues
But, unlike, instead, on the other hand. These words tell you the new word means the opposite of something nearby.
Unlike her chatty brother, Lily was reserved and hardly spoke at parties.
"Unlike" her chatty brother, so Lily is the opposite of chatty.
"Hardly spoke" agrees. Reserved means quiet and keeping to yourself.
5 · Example clues
Such as, like, including. When the author lists examples, ask what they have in common.
The snack stand sells beverages such as juice, milk, and lemonade.
Juice, milk, and lemonade are all drinks. Beverages means drinks.
6 · What the character does
For a feeling word, look at what the character does next. Actions show feelings.
Mira was furious. She stomped up the stairs and slammed her bedroom door.
Stomping and slamming are what an angry person does. Furious means very angry, angrier than "upset."
7 · Sound-alike traps
Some wrong choices are there because the word looks or sounds like another word. Read the spelling slowly.
- loose (not tight) and lose (not able to find)
- desert (dry land) and dessert (sweet food after dinner)
- scarce (hard to find) and scared (afraid)
- gust (a rush of wind) and guest (a visitor)
8 · Groups of words
Sometimes the question asks about a few words together. Then the group means more than each word alone.
Can you keep an eye on the baby while I answer the door? / We ran out of milk, so I ate dry cereal.
"Keep an eye on" means watch carefully. Nobody puts an eye anywhere.
"Ran out of" means had none left. Nobody ran. The dry cereal is the clue.
9 · Your test-day checklist
- Find the word and read the whole sentence, plus the one after it.
- Look for a clue: a definition, an opposite, examples, or an action.
- Guess the meaning in your own words before you read the choices.
- Use the swap test on the choice you picked.
- Be suspicious of the meaning you know best, and of words that only look alike.
Ready to practice?
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