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Words in Context

Last updated 12 months ago
2 questions
Overview

Words in Context questions are a staple of the SAT, appearing frequently under the domain of Craft and Structure. Unlike grammar-focused questions, these emphasize content and meaning within a passage. At their core, they are vocabulary-based questions designed to assess a student’s ability to interpret or apply words in context.

These questions typically require one of two tasks: determining the meaning of a specific word within the passage or selecting the most appropriate word to complete a sentence based on contextual clues.
Key Concepts:

Denotation: The literal, dictionary definition of a word.

Connotation: The emotional or implied tone of a word, ranging from positive to negative.
How It’s Tested on the SAT

Words in Context questions appear early in the SAT, often within the first few questions, and can take one of two formats:

1. Reading Questions

These questions ask, “As used in the text, what does the word '[word]' most nearly mean?”

To answer, examine the word in context, analyze its denotation and connotation, and select the answer that most accurately aligns with its use in the passage.
Answers will typically be a single word.

2. Writing Questions

These questions provide a sentence with a blank and ask, “Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?”

To solve, predict a word that fits the context, then choose the option that best matches your prediction in both meaning and tone.

Answers may be a single word or a short phrase.
Before finalizing your answer, reread the word or phrase in context to ensure it fits seamlessly with the surrounding text.
Strategy for Success

1. Identify the Question Type: Words in Context questions always feature short answer choices, typically without punctuation.

2. Reading or Writing Question? If it’s a reading-style question, the sentence will not have a blank. The question will ask something like: “As used in the text, what does the word '[word]' most nearly mean?” If it’s a writing-style question, the sentence will include a blank, and the question will ask: “Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?”

3. If It’s a Reading-Style Question, Follow These Steps
  • Read the word in context and predict what you think it means based on the surrounding text.
  • Look for your prediction among the answer choices.
  • If your prediction isn’t there, look for a similar option.
  • Eliminate any answer choices that have the opposite meaning of what you’re looking for or are too broad/specific (e.g., avoid choosing “bad” when “guilty” is a better match).
  • Once you have a likely choice, substitute it back into the text to confirm it makes sense.
  • Don’t overthink minor mismatches; if it’s close, it’s likely correct. If it still doesn’t work, review the remaining answer choices.
4. If It’s a Writing-Style Question, Follow These Steps

  • Read the text and use context clues to figure out the kind of word needed to complete the blank.
  • The text should also provide clues about whether the word’s tone (connotation) is positive, negative, or neutral.
  • Predict a word that fits both the meaning and tone, then check the answer choices for a match.
  • Eliminate options with connotations that don’t fit, such as overly extreme choices like “hate” or “perfect.”
  • Test your selected word or phrase by plugging it into the blank, then reread the sentence to ensure it makes logical sense.
  • If the answer is a phrase, prioritize concise options, as the SAT favors concise answers.
1

During the19th century, the Industrial Revolution brought about unprecedented _______ in manufacturing, allowing goods to be produced faster and at lower costs

1

The professor's explanation was clear and concise, but she added a few _____ points to ensure that all the students thoroughly understood the concept.

What does the word "concise" most likely mean?