Critical Reading Section

Critical Reading Section Reading Comprehension: Vocab in Context

Vocabulary-in-Context Questions • These are usually quick, easy points on the SAT / Keystone Exams. • Here you are asked what the word in the passage most nearly means.

Vocabulary-in-Context Questions • Read the five (5) lines before and after the line with the vocabulary word in order to understand its context. • Read the line with vocabulary word again, but replace the word with one of your own without looking at the answers.

Example #1: And when I could no longer look,I blest his Name that gave and tookThat laid my goods now in the dust. Yea, so it was, and so 'twas just.It was his own; it was not mine.Far be it that I should -----, He might of all justly bereftBut yet sufficient for us left. When by the Ruins oft I pastMy sorrowing eyes aside did castAnd here and there the places spy

Example #1: Using context clues can help you determine that the word repinemeans _______. A. to feel content B. to return to one’s home C. to feel disappointed D. to celebrate

Tips for Vocabulary in Context: • Look for the traps: • Common Use definition • Test takers choose this without reading the passage.  • It stands out because it is too obvious  • Opposite meaning • Test takers choose this because they misread the passage  • It stands out because it is opposite of the other choices 

Tips for Vocabulary in Context: • Process of Elimination (POE): • Eliminate the Common Use and the Opposite Meaning choices • Find the definition that is closest to YOUR replacement word • Think carefully about the connotation of the word because you will usually have two words that may fit • Replace the word into the line and reread the line

Example #1: Using context clues can help you determine that the word repinemeans _______. A. to feel content B. to return to one’s home C. to feel disappointed D. to celebrate

Example #1: Using context clues can help you determine that the word repinemeans _______. A. to feel content (satisfied) B. to return to one’s home (ODD) C. to feel disappointed (sad) D. to celebrate (happy)

Example #2: I crossed these columns with thirteen red lines, marking the beginning of each line with the first letter of one of the virtues, on which and in its proper columns I might mark, by a little black spot, every fault I found upon examination to have been committed respecting that virtue upon that day . . . And like him who, having a garden to weed, does not attempt to -----all the bad herbs at once, which would exceed his reach and his strength, but works on one of the beds at a time, and, having accomplished the first, proceeds to the second, so I should have the pleasure of seeing the progress I made in virtue after thirteen weeks’ daily examination . . .

Example #2: Using the context clues, choose the best definition of the word eradicate. A. To grow or cultivate B. To destroy or eliminate C. To purify or clean D. To eat or devour

Example #2: Using the context clues, choose the best definition of the word eradicate. A. To grow or cultivate B. To destroy or eliminate C. To purify or clean D. To eat or devour (ODD)

Example #2: Using the context clues, choose the best definition of the word eradicate. A. To grow or cultivate (. . . bad herbs) B. To destroy or eliminate (. . . bad herbs) C. To purify or clean (. . . bad herbs) D. To eat or devour (ODD)

Read the passage by Mark Twain and answer the questions that follow.

1. As used in line 1, “make mouths” most nearly means: A. aggravate B. speak C. pout D. scowl E. smile

1. As used in line 1, “make mouths” most nearly means: A. aggravate B. speak (obvious) C. pout D. scowl E. smile

1. As used in line 1, “make mouths” most nearly means: A. aggravate B. speak (obvious) C. pout D. scowl E. smile (opposite)

1. As used in line 1, “make mouths” most nearly means: A. aggravate B. speak C. pout D. scowl E. smile

2. As used in line 8, “rope” most nearly means: A. charm B. cord C. trick D. mock E. release

2. As used in line 8, “rope” most nearly means: A. charm B. cord (obvious) C. trick D. mock E. release

2. As used in line 8, “rope” most nearly means: A. charm B. cord (obvious) C. trick D. mock E. release (opposite)

2. As used in line 8, “rope” most nearly means: A. charm B. cord C. trick D. mock E. release

3. As used in line 11, “obtuse” most nearly means: A. dull-witted B. large C. poor D. slow E. wise

3. As used in line 11, “obtuse” most nearly means: A. dull-witted B. large (obvious) C. poor D. slow E. wise

3. As used in line 11, “obtuse” most nearly means: A. dull-witted B. large (obvious) C. poor D. slow E. wise (opposite)

3. As used in line 11, “obtuse” most nearly means: A. dull-witted B. large C. poor D. slow E. wise

4. As used in line 23, “foibles” most nearly means: A. weaknesses B. tales C. imperfections D. whims E. virtues

4. As used in line 23, “foibles” most nearly means: A. weaknesses B. tales (mistaken word) C. imperfections D. whims E. virtues

4. As used in line 23, “foibles” most nearly means: A. weaknesses B. tales (mistaken word) C. imperfections D. whims E. virtues (opposite)

4. As used in line 23, “foibles” most nearly means: A. weaknesses B. tales C. imperfections D. whims E. virtues

5. As used in line 25, “deference” most nearly means: A. playfulness B. dissimilarity C. respect D. admiration E. disregard

5. As used in line 25, “deference” most nearly means: A. playfulness B. dissimilarity (mistaken word) C. respect D. admiration E. disregard

5. As used in line 25, “deference” most nearly means: A. playfulness B. dissimilarity (mistaken word) C. respect D. admiration E. disregard (opposite)

5. As used in line 25, “deference” most nearly means: A. playfulness B. dissimilarity C. respect D. admiration E. disregard

Critical Reading Section