SAT Reading & Writing: Words in Context (Vocabulary)
48+ practice questions in Praczo
The concept, explained
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Context-vocabulary questions ask for the meaning of a word or phrase as it is used in the passage — not its most common definition. Context determines the answer.
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Strategy: cover the underlined word, re-read the sentence, and predict what word would fit. Then find the choice that matches your prediction.
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Multi-meaning words (charge, board, cover, sound, settle) are common targets. Choose the meaning that fits this specific sentence.
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The correct answer should be substitutable without changing the sentence's meaning. Read the sentence with your chosen word to verify.
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Eliminate choices that are real definitions of the word but don't fit this specific context — the SAT designs wrong answers to be valid dictionary definitions.
- ✗ Choosing the most common meaning of the word without reading the context: "charged with leading the project" means assigned/tasked, not accused.
- ✗ Picking a sophisticated-sounding answer because the passage is formal. Match the meaning to the sentence, not to the register.
SAT-style practice
In the sentence "The scientist's findings challenged the prevailing view of how memory is consolidated," the word "prevailing" most nearly means:
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